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adding additional curners to steam boiler

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My Slantfin 120,000 Btuh (90 + 30) steam boiler has room for additional burners. I am contemplating adding radiation (both on the steam system and possibly an additional basement baseboard loop circulating condensate. Of course, I will use a pro for this - but I am interested in gaining some insight into the pros and cons of various options, hoping an intelligent customer is appreciated and not viewed as a pain in the neck!

So... I assume adding burners (but keeping all pressure/temp controls the same) will allow the system to steam faster, especially if the condensate loop is circulating water while upstairs calls for heat. What's the downside, if any, of adding burners? I guess the flue is optimized for a certain rate of combustion...but is there something else to think about? Efficiency? Is it possible to generate the steam "too fast"?

Also, are there controls that can handle dual configurations (steam with an auxiliary hot water zone) in an intelligent way? Maybe I'd like to prioritize the main upstairs heat over the auxiliary basement so the latter doesn't operate when I'm calling for steam...

I have a small Cape Cod with a one-pipe loop in the basement. I am adding 800 sq ft to the main floor over a basement extension. I would like to add the required radiation - while downsizing some existing that will be replaced by smaller radiators once the room becomes an interior one (no outside wall, doors or windows). Then I would like to put a baseboard in the new basement. My basement main is presently uninsulated (that's how I heat the basement). I have also removed some radiation years ago... so I think I should have capacity for the extension; and I can play with the pick-up capacity (especially if I replace the insulation on the main, which was removed asbestos).

Anyone have experiences with this type of arrangement? I would love to know how it worked out.

Merry Christmas.
Gary L

Comments

  • Before you change anything

    have a heat-loss calculation done on the existing house as well as the proposed addition. Then you'll know for sure if the existing boiler will handle the load.

    Adding radiation to the steam system works well if the mains can handle the load, and the additional piping is done right.

    Not sure about adding additional burners to the boiler, that would have to be cleared thru Slant/Fin's Tech Support.

    Have you tried the Find a Professional page of this site?

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
  • gary lomp
    gary lomp Member Posts: 3
    Adding burners

    Thanks for the reply... I have contacted a local pro and I'm hoping to have him take a look at the house soon. I plan to get everything calculated in advance before changing anything. It's a big project overall and I want it done right the first time. My existing steam system works like a charm - heat comes up fast, no hammer, no spitting, all radiators get hot, etc. I'd love to keep it that way!

    I think my heat loss will go up with the extension, but since I am essentially moving the back wall of the house out 16 feet (increasing interior space) the exterior exposure is not going to change by much. The first floor ceiling/roof extension is really the only *new* heat transfer area - about 3000 btu/h assuming R19 and a 70 degree temperature difference. Air change (infiltration) losses will also go up because the heated air volume will be a lot higher, but I think they are relatively small, aren't they?
  • Air changes

    depend on how well your windows and doors seal up when closed, and on how well you've sealed any other cracks. If you have a "before" and "after" heat loss done on the house, you'll know for sure how well you'll do.

    If you want to explore this yourself, click on "Heat Loss Calcs" on the lower orange bar at the top of the page. This will take you to Slant/Fin's site where you can order a free calc program that will run on any Windows computer and is easy to use.

    To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"
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