Oversized steam boiler installed--HELP!!!

David Johansen

Dear Experts,

Last fall we contracted with a local company to install a steam boiler in our house. The company chose to install a Utica boiler, model #PEG 187B, a model suitable, according to Utica's sizing chart, for a house with 472 square feet, sized according to the radiator system of a house.

The problem is our house has a radiator system much smaller, measured at 356.5 square feet. The one they should have installed, the PEG 150B, would have been a good fit as it is appropriate for a house with 375 square feet. Therefore, our current system is oversized by over 100 square feet.

What are the potential consequences of having an oversized boiler of this size in our house? We have already noticed that it is noisy and runs more frequently than our previous boiler. A local competitor company, we contracted for a routine annual maintance, noticed this problem and predicted the boiler will be less efficient and that the longevity of the boiler may be affected. Is this accurate?

What is the responsiblity of the company that installed this boiler to us? Are they obligated to replace it with the appropriate sized one? If I were to take this question to court, what would I need in order to make my case for a replacement boiler? Is this a winnable issue in court? How could a find an "objective expert" to back-up my case?

So far, the local company that installed the boiler has been unresponsive to me. The president of the company has not responded to my letter. The manager of the boiler department, promised me a letter from Utica stating that everything is okay, in choosing this particular boiler, but I have not received this letter. When I called Utica to ask them if this boiler was okay, I was told by a service technician, that it was absolutely not okay and that I should keep requesting a replacement boiler from the company that did the installation.

What do you think???

Thank you very much for your assistance. If you respond to my questions, please identify your experience with boilers, training etc.

Thanks!!!!

--David

M Ransley

Im no heating pro, no boiler pro, just a home owner. Was a load calculation done? Any new doors windows or insulation added in 30 yrs ??? What was old boiler size and age and make. What was old boiler operation in time $$$. Was he the cheapest bid. Boilers have changed alot over the last 20 yrs. It takes a real pro to do it right. Are your bills lower, I would say honestly , you bought it you got it unless you can prove deception. Which you probably can not. Are you bills lower , then do not complain , now is not the time to research this , before you paid- contracted was. Im looking at a boiler now and will research everything before I move, new are not always best.

john_27

if you used Utica's chart to size the boiler, you may not have done it correctly...count your radiator sections using Dan's book(available on this site)and...once you have the correct edr, go from there...since you are firing steam, do not adjust for insulation etc as the previous post suggested...steam fires
only to the connected load, and this load is specific to your home. As it stands now, it is not clear that you have an analytical basis to state a claim....one question...who used the chart to size the boiler? On the other matter, give us as much info as you on the noise, and we'll try to help...

Steamhead

Another thing to consider

is the pickup factor (heat needed to warm the metal in the system from a cold start) that was used. If you have more than the usual piping in the system as in a long, rambling house with very long steam mains, or if the piping is not insulated, the pickup factor should be increased from the usual 33% to 50%. Sometimes this will put you into the next size boiler.

That said, you should be able to down-fire this boiler if needed- but check with the Utica people to be sure it can be done and for the proper procedure to use.

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Dave T_2

Hire a pro

John, the sizing would be borderline with the 375sq ft model and the next size up is the better choice. Especially as steamhead noted the allowance for piping may not be in your 356 calc.

You seem to have picked a bad installer given his responce to your problems (not knowong his side of the story makes me wonder). I feel you have again been unlucky with your choice of your new service company. It will be very easy to fire the new system to match the connected load and when you find someone capable thats willing to work for you the problem and solution to noisey, short cycling operation can be sucessfully found.

Find a pro and get it right, its not too late.

Good Luck,
Dave T

joel_21

sizing

Right get someone to comit on the sizing.It can probably be fired down. Your noise and run complaint could very well be related to the piping and boiler set up. For instance just cleaning the boiler properly can make a huge difference.

peter desens

Utica reply

peter desens

Utica reply

You are assuming it's the size of the boiler that is creating the noise and frequency of operation. Chances are the boiler is not that oversized (if at all) to cause problems.

What type of noise are you refering to? I assume Water Hammer, and if so, there are a number of possible causes and solutions.

As for the frequent operation, the solution may be as simple as an adjustment to the anticipator setting in the wall thermostat.

Please feel free to contact me diretly to discuss further at 1-800-325-5479, ext. 4128.

Peter Desens
Technical Service Manager