Oversized gas boiler

George_14

I have a 100 year old 3 family house with plaster walls, little insulation (i'm guessing) and single pane windows. We have 3 boilers (one for each floor/apt). The apartments are about 1400sf each with high heating costs. 1 apartment is rented year round and the other two are mainly summer rentals (I keep them around 55 in winter). I'm told the 3rd floor boiler (8 year old gas) is grossly oversized for the year round rental. The system is a 1 pipe steam system. The first 2 floors are heated by older (20+ years) oil burners. A contractor suggested we downsize the boiler by capping some of the gas jets. Is that apropriate?
The issues I'd like to solve:
1) Reduce 3rd floor heating bill
2) Better zone heating for 1st and 2nd floors, I'd like to only heat the kitchen and baths (to prevent froozen pipes) currently I need to heat both floors. Each floor is on seperate zone/boiler.
Any suggestions?
Thanks

lchmb

check with

The manufacturer of the boiler is the best bet. Most companies that I have talked with don't like you to cap off just lower the orifice size of each burner. I would have a complete heat loss done on your system by a reputable company and see what they come up with for idea's. That and add in some insulation, it will pay you back in time. Good luck..:)

DaveGateway

If you're paying the fuel bill

might it make sense to pipe all the mains off the newer gas boiler. You could pull out all the old oil burners and oil tank for more room. Maybe just keep the kitchen and bath rads open on the other floors. Many manufacturers do not approve down firing any boiler so utilize what you have.