Sizing my new steam boiler for expansion

Noah

We live on the first floor of a two unit building with two independent one pipe systems for each unit. Years ago the house had only one steam boiler. Then, the maybe still alive men, added a second boiler and re-piped the downstairs radiators to a new boiler. I need to replace the 2nd story boiler. I want to ensure the second story boiler is large enough to heat the whole house, in the event we turn the building back to a single family. The steam mains for the 2nd story are designed for the whole house. The basic question is. Can I install a one pipe steam boiler with twice the capacity then currently needed? Are there any serious drawbacks. Also I'm looking for what type of insulation I should use on the steam mains? I need a blanket type insulation I can wrap around the elbows, tees, and large mains.

Ken_40

Nyet!

Don't try the one double-sized boiler. If there was one, now there's two - and the first floor unit is seperated pipewise from the second, enjoy the benefits of two "independent" units and the savings that "zoned" concept would induce.

The best insulation is (minimally) 1" thick fiberglass with kraft-paper with embedded fiber coating. A sticky band of overlap is included. Just undo the backer tape and seal the split forming a perfect cicle around the pipe. Special fiberglass and plastic elbow and tee "kits" are also available.

Knauf is the brand we use and is available from most heating supply houses (wholesalers) as well as "insulation suppliers" as seen in the phone book.

A word of caution, many makers of pipe insulation make it for steel pipe and copper. Make sure you get the right diameter or it will leave a gap - or not make a complete circle - neither of which is a good thing.