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Another oversized steam boiler question

pm124
pm124 Member Posts: 34
I made the mistake of reading up on this too late. I received a number of quotes to replace my 40 year old Weil-McLane. All wanted to replace the old boiler with the same BTU rating as the new one. I live in a house with a newly closed cell spray foam insulated roof and just 2400 SQFT of heating space, but the boiler is 175,000 BTU. The calculators suggest I need about 78,000 BTU-120,000 BTU. It is a steam system that is gas fired. The job is half done now, and the new boiler is ready to be installed downstairs. Do I ask him to replace it with a smaller boiler?
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Comments

  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    What is the combined EDR of all your radiators?
    kcopp
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    I'd have the company whose doing the work to hold off on the work. And just as Fred mentioned find out what the total combined EDR is
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    Paul S_3
  • kcopp
    kcopp Member Posts: 4,419
    Spray foam and insulation has no impact on the boiler size..... All has to do w/ the radiators.
    You need to measure out all the radiators to properly size the boiler. A competent installer should have known that.....
    Paul S_3
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    All the candidate plumbers save for one wanted to just replace like with like since the system more or less worked before. I will attempt to calculate the EDR and re-post. Thanks so much. The higher efficiency of the new boiler is also not a consideration? That is, the newer 175K boilers simply use less input than the old ones? Both were rated as 140K out, 175K in. Very similar. 40 years apart. The pipes didn't even come close to fitting.
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Size the new boiler based on the connected total radiator EDR. Compare that total EDR to the Sq. ft. of steam rating on the new boiler plate. That number will have the piping and pickup factors already factored in so Total radiator EDR matched as closely as possible to the Rated Sq. Ft. of Steam on the boiler plate.
    Don't let them bush down the riser tappings in the boiler. The risers work best (less steam velocity) if they are the size of the boiler tappings.
    EzzyT
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 23,170
    It's all in the EDR for steam systems. The efficiency doesn't count (except to make running it a little cheaper!). The insulation doesn't count (except to make running it a lot cheaper). The installed boiler must match the installed EDR, plus or minus about 10 percent. No other way to do it right.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    Please don't tell us they are re-piping with copper.
  • PinkTavo
    PinkTavo Member Posts: 64
    edited August 2016
    If the envelope has been upgraded with insulation, then do a room to room heat loss calculation. Then you may be able to eliminate some radiation or down-grade the EDR by replacing with smaller radiators to make the new total EDR match the loss. Still match boiler to EDR, but it will be a smaller boiler. I did this and it worked perfectly. I eliminated two radiators (the floor plan changed) and downsized two.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    I would also recommend sizing the boiler smaller than typical for the radiation in such a house.

    For example, use a 15-20% pickup factor rather than the typical 33%. You could even go smaller, but all of your piping needs to be well insulated, pitched and venting must be spot on.

    First step is still calculate your current EDR. Also share pictures of the radiators and all of the piping with us, especially the boiler. Boiler piping is critical.

    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    Thanks so much everyone. What a wonderful community. Calculations and pictures forthcoming after I return from the office today.
  • JUGHNE
    JUGHNE Member Posts: 11,042
    Is this one or two pipe steam? Some pictures of your typical radiators would be appreciated.
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    This is one of the radiators.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    Wow that's some ugly work. That's the new boiler!?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    I can't seem to find an EDR calculator that matches these radiators. I feel like an idiot. This post is basically just for public consumption at this point, as the radiator is in and working well. It's just that there seems to be less posted online about sizing steam boilers than other boilers.
  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Member Posts: 16,796
    The header looks like it's only 2-inch. Those
    Weil-McLain EG-series boilers have 3-inch steam outlets. What is the exact model- probably PEG-something?
    All Steamed Up, Inc.
    Towson, MD, USA
    Steam, Vapor & Hot-Water Heating Specialists
    Oil & Gas Burner Service
    Consulting
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    Here is a link to the entire album.
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    It is an EG/PEG-50. Thanks much!
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    Certainly looks like 2" pipe, which means it's wrong. The manual clearly states 2 1/2" at minimum. And (IMHO) minimum means the lowest quality install you can get. So you didn't even get that. Did you make final payment to this contractor?
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • New England SteamWorks
    New England SteamWorks Member Posts: 1,505
    The link doesn't work?

    Very ugly work, right down to the furnace cement...

    Don't make final payment on this one until we see more. You at least deserve the minimum standards.
    New England SteamWorks
    Service, Installation, & Restoration of Steam Heating Systems
    newenglandsteamworks.com
  • Paul48
    Paul48 Member Posts: 4,469
    I'd like to see a better photo of the Hartford loop to the sight-glass.
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    Whoops. Sorry, I think I fixed the link, here. I will post the picture of the Hartford loop.
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    They cheaped out and reused the piping from the old boiler. That header doesn't look like it's the correct size. As I said it is supposed to be 2 1/2" min. so they didn't pipe to manufacturers spec. I guess another contractor that can't read? Did they even pull the manual out of the plastic before doing the work?
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    There's also no skim port and judging by how much dope they used you're really going to need to skim that boiler, a lot.

    The entire thing is a sloppy mess.
    Is this a licensed contractor or a handy man install?
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34




    He was a licensed contractor. I will call him back to install a skim port and correct the undersized piping. Anything else I should do? Is this thing going to be less efficient?
  • KC_Jones
    KC_Jones Member Posts: 5,722
    Just out of curiosity, where are you located?
    2014 Weil Mclain EG-40
    EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Boiler Control
    Boiler pictures updated 2/21/15
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    edited August 2016
    I did a lot of looking online. It is almost impossible to find a good boiler installer. There are no criteria to judge by. I tried two 5 star, multi-review contractors on Yelp. One seemed very knowledgeable, but wanted to charge 4 times as much for the install. The other didn't seem to know answers to some of the basic questions I asked. (I asked various questions that people on this forum thought were important to ask.) This guy came in at the lowest bid and knew the answers to basic questions.

    In total, I looked at 5 contractors. Two gave quotes over the phone without even showing up. This was one of the two who showed up.
    EzzyT
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    Wow what a mess. Personally I wouldn't of piped that boiler with no less then a 3" drop header with King and return valves.
    Make sure that boiler is skimmed really well just like others have mentioned. Plus make sure they do a combustion analysis with a combustion analyzer
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    ChrisJKC_JonesPaul S_3
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    We don't discuss pricing here
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    KC_Jones
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    pm124 said:

    I did a lot of looking online. It is almost impossible to find a good boiler installer. There are no criteria to judge by. I tried two 5 star, multi-review contractors on Yelp. One seemed very knowledgeable, but wanted to charge $******for the install. The other didn't seem to know answers to some of the basic questions I asked. (I asked various questions that people on this forum thought were important to ask.) This guy came in at $***** and knew the answers to basic questions.

    In total, I looked at 5 contractors. Two gave quotes over the phone without even showing up. This was one of the two who showed up.

    We aren't allowed to discuss pricing here and I would edit your comment to avoid upsetting anyone, but I can tell you as a DIY homeowner, it cost me literally double to install my own stuff properly than what you paid someone.


    Sadly, you got what you paid for and I'll be honest, as a homeowner you have no way of knowing what you're getting ahead of time. This was a big part of why I did the work my self. I honestly have no idea how someone is supposed to find a good contractor without word of mouth.

    Please edit your post and remove the pricing though.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    I'm New York City. If anyone know who can come and fix this mess, it would be appreciated.
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    I'm so sorry that I forgot about that rule. I have edited the post!!!
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    pm124 said:

    I'm New York City. If anyone know who can come and fix this mess, it would be appreciated.

    @JohnNY Could.
    @EzzyT May go out there too, not sure.
    @Dave0176 May as well, not sure.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    Send me a private message
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    Oh my gosh. That contractor should be banned from the trade. My priority wouldn't be on skimming, at this point (even if you had a skim port). It would be on getting that mess properly installed. He definitely should have used a larger header and both riser tappings out of that boiler. Why all that dope on those joints? Did he fire that boiler up and find small leaks that he assumed he could resolve with pipe dope? It looks like he took some tin snips and hacked away on that side panel. What's that about?
    BTW, go to the store tab at the top of the page on this site and buy the book "Every Darn Radiator" by Dan Holohan. It will give you the EDR ratings for just about every style/brand radiator by section.
  • EzzyT
    EzzyT Member Posts: 1,294
    edited August 2016
    I'm going out there tomorrow morning to assets the damage
    E-Travis Mechanical LLC
    Etravismechanical@gmail.com
    201-887-8856
    ChrisJFred
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    OK, buying the book! Any others I should read.
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 15,592
    pm124 said:

    OK, buying the book! Any others I should read.

    Greening Steam is my favorite.

    But I'm weird.
    Single pipe quasi-vapor system. Typical operating pressure 0.14 - 0.43 oz. EcoSteam ES-20 Advanced Control for Residential Steam boilers. Rectorseal Steamaster water treatment
  • pm124
    pm124 Member Posts: 34
    Weird is good. I bought his other book The Lost Art of Steam.
  • Fred
    Fred Member Posts: 8,542
    EzzyT will take great care of you! Get the job done right.