Drop header going in

"Standard" Header vs Dropheader

Hi- In comparing a properly sized “standard” header to a drop header you first must consider that the piping sizes used should be the same as those used on a dropheader so therefore the costs will be pretty much the same on these items. The differences are:

On the installation:

The material side - it is the added cost of just a couple of extra elbows and pipe nipples.

The labor side- it saves time as the risers are much easier and forgiving to attach to the header pipe using a dropheader configuration. Depending on the difficulty of the individual job, I tend to think that the extra material cost comes pretty close to being balanced out by the labor savings from the ease of installation.  (There can also be a saving from not having to repair the hole in the basement drywall where your wrench impacted after being thrown by you when you got frustrated trying to get a “standard” header's fittings joined together  

             

Long range benefits of a dropheader over a "standard" header-

- drier steam means better efficiency

- less thermal expansion stress on the boiler sections

- easier to adapt to a new boiler if one is likely needed in the near future



Your piping looks pretty good and should be more efficient than what you previously had.

- Rod