steam boiler replacement question

billtheplmbr3845

I looked at replacing a boiler today. I added up all the radiation in the house and came up with 239.5 sq. ft., then multiplied by 1.5 for the pick up factor. I then converted to btu's and came up with 86,220 btu. If I go to the D.O.E chart for the mega steam boiler it says the 288 will be enough btu wise but not for the sq. ft. of radiation with the pick up factored in. Should I use the 396 because it covers the sq. ft. with the pick up factor? The 396 is whats in there but I think it may be a little oversized. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bill

Ironman

You shouldn't use more than 1.33 for a pickup factor. If the mains are insulated (as they should be), you could need even less.

Jamie Hall

And furthermore... if you are directly comparing your square feet of radiation to the boiler EDR rating, you shouldn't factor in the pickup factor at all. It's already in the EDR rating. The way I read the Megasteam specs the 288 should be just fine.

EBEBRATT-Ed

@billtheplmbr3845 agree with the above.

billtheplmbr3845

Thanks, I was leaning tword the 288. I used the 1.5 pick up because that was what I thougt I read in The Lost Art. The mains are not insulated, just some left over asbestos, the owner will not spend the extra money for insulation, already suggested that. Thanks for the advice.

DanHolohan

1.5 is for only when there is no pipe insulation. It’s far cheaper to insulate those pipes.