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Boiler sizing based on EDR

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Ldallas_87
Ldallas_87 Member Posts: 22

I need a new steam boiler. I calculated my current EDR as 370 without the piping pick up factor. When looking for a boiler do I just need to match the boiler steam sq. ft. output to the EDR because the boiler steam rating includes the 33% pick up factor that I did not account for? For clarity, based on the ratings for Burnham Independence boilers: the IN5I would be slightly below requirements and the IN6I would be somewhat oversized?

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Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 27,367

    Match the boiler Square Feet rating to the EDR — don't add anything else. If the match isn't perfect (it rarely is!) better to go slightly undersized than go oversized — so in this case the IN5I would be the prper choice.

    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
    ethicalpaulRobert_H
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,789

    Although a Burnham IN model is possibly the worst choice amongst all the available boilers

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

    STEAM DOCTORRobert_HSteamhead
  • Ldallas_87
    Ldallas_87 Member Posts: 22

    Thank you. What would you recommend ethical Paul?

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,172

    I hate Burnham but the "Steam Max" is their best boiler. Otherwise, Peerless or Weil McLain. Weil McLain also makes the Williamson brand. A few $$$ less same boiler.

    Burnham Independence has a poor track record. You don't want that one. There are a few other decent boilers but most are "rebranded".

    Burnham in particular sells a lot of boilers with different names on them but they are all Burnham. Crown, New Yorker et are Burnham clones afaik

    Robert_HethicalpaulSteamhead
  • ethicalpaul
    ethicalpaul Member Posts: 8,789

    Peerless. I like Utica fine. I’d like Weil-McLain but they say the pH shouldn’t be above 8.5 and that’s strange to me.

    It makes me think they have problems with their elastomer seals that they blame on pH level. But that is conjecture and I have friends with WM who are happy with them.

    NJ Steam Homeowner.
    Free NJ and remote steam advice: https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/new-jersey-steam-help/
    See my sight glass boiler videos: https://bit.ly/3sZW1el

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 20,172

    Yeah. I forgot Utica/Dunkirk are fine as well.

    ethicalpaul
  • ChrisJ
    ChrisJ Member Posts: 17,378

    Sounds like a good system for a WM EG40.

    Single pipe 392sqft system with an EG-40 rated for 325sqft and it's silent and balanced at all times.