Is 1 CPH best?

corey_s

I have an old gravity system with cast iron radiators that was converted with a Burnham series 3 boiler and a pump. I've been using 1 cph and had no issues with comfort or the temperature overshooting. Is 1 cph best for the boiler to prevent condensation? The default is 3, but i set it to 1, thinking that longer cycles would help prevent short cycling and would get the return water temp up above what causes condensation. Is it as simple as this or am I missing something? Perhaps more cph would keep the water warm between cycles and get it to a good return temp faster?

STEVEusaPA

Old gravity needs to (and will) run a long time. Don't think you need to worry about short cycling or condensation.
More cph's and you probably don't heat up the place to the desired temperatures.

ChrisJ

CPH can be viewed as, the lower the cycles, the greater the overshoot. The more cycles, the greater the undershoot and the boiler ends up firing back up in a short time.

Getting it in the happy spot is the secret. 1 CPH is probably the best spot for many systems and I wouldn't be surprised if gravity is one of them.

Solid_Fuel_Man

When I leave a job I always set everything to one cycle per hour. Unless it's electric heat which I generally set either 3 or 5 a short cycling doesn't really matter. Never once have I had a call back about someone being uncomfortable due to overshoot.