long story

Brad White_153

You should see some of my <i>answers</i> :)

I take it that your calculations are for the radiator EDR (square feet of equivalent direct radiation) versus a building heat loss?

That said, there is little point in installing a steam boiler with more output than the connected radiation and piping. There is no physical way to "spend" the steam generated so why generate it -that is the point there.


Depending on whether it was gross output or net I=B=R output, it would seem that the 80,000 boiler would have served you far better. (Are we talking input or output here in your numbers?)

The water spitting could be a function of any number of things: Near boiler piping not ideal or not correct (pulling wet steam up into the piping), too much pressure, dirty boiler water, yes the pitch. Powder coating? Makes the stains easier to wipe off I suppose. Nice touch though!

At what cut-out pressure did they set the boiler? At what pressure does it operate?

Not sure what an "energy store" is, but if the boiler is as oversized as you say and they installed unpitched copper as you say, I have to wonder if they are in the business of selling or saving energy... They may need some education on steam system sizing and installation.

Can you post a photograph of the boiler installation?

I am not sure of the recourse you have, but did the contract specify the unit, performance, means of selection, claims of energy savings or any other qualifications? Wording such as "installed per manufacturers's recommendations" or "according to best trade practice" may alone or in part give you some protection, especially the former.

If you have previous years gas consumption and can demonstrate an increase on a "per degree-day" basis, you will have some ammunition. I would gather some information, check it out here then start a conversation with your energy store...

Bill_79

new boiler cycling

I replaced the old boilers in my circa 1900 duplex in Pittsfield, Ma last year. I got two quotes and went with the second one from the energy store. The quote didn't mention
the size of the boilers. After they were installed I noticed the size ot the Burnham boilers 140,000 btu each. My own calculations following the formula
in Dan's books were for 65,000 btu and the quote from the other dealer was for 80,000 btu boilers taken from their calculations.

Last winter I noticed the boiler for my apartment was cycling so I called the Energy Store and they sent a guy out when I told them I thought the boilers were too large for these apartments. He took one
of the five burners out, but I still have the cycling problem. It is really bothering me, I don't feel right about these two boilers that I spent a lot of money for. Am I being over top here as in - "a little knowlege can be dangerous." or should I get these
boilers replaced withe proper sized boilers even if I have to write it off at my own expense?

These are one pipe systems with seven radiators each.

On a second, but possibly related problem:
This year I have noticed water comeing out of the air vent of the radiator in the bathroom on the second floor so I have had to shut the valve off on that radiator. Before I bought the house and probably in the fifty's or so the radiator was moved and replaced to make room for bathroom remodling. They moved it over about
four feet and used copper pipe to make the distance. They weren't able to make a slope so there is hammering there, and I am wondering if the water proplem is because of the copper, a powder coating I had done on the radiator last summer,
or the oversize boiler, or a combination of them all. A bedroom radiator that comes off the same rizer does not exhibit the water problem.


sorry for the length of this.