Boiler selection is a complicated, multi-step process that requires careful consideration of many factors. It’s important to remember that while it might seem like you can buy the first boiler in your price range with no questions asked, there are still some things to keep an eye out for when shopping around.
Types Of Boilers
Boilers have been around for a long time, and it is important to know what type of boiler will work best in your home. There are many different types of boilers that you can choose from. They vary in the amount of heat they produce, the size, and how much money you will spend on them.
Boilers come in a variety of types. The most common type is the water-tube boiler, in which water circulates in tubes heated externally by hot gases from the furnace. Fire-tube boilers are generally built for lower pressures and have fewer moving parts than water-tube boilers.
Boilers can be classified into different types based on their working pressure and temperature.
Sizes Of Boilers
Boilers range in size and output. The size and output of boilers are important when considering boilers for your home. The size of the boiler you need depends on the heat loss of your house.
Output is measured in British Thermal Units (BTUs) and boiler sizes typically range from 40,000 to 400,000 BTUs.
Correctly sizing a boiler is valuable knowledge to have, and it puts you ahead of the majority of heating contractors. Many people don’t bother, yet it’s one of the greatest ways to assure a long and efficient boiler life by maximizing efficiency, minimizing short-cycling heat loss via the boiler jacket and up the stack, and avoiding the wear and strain caused by hundreds of wasteful ignition attempts.
Now What?
Based on the heat loss load estimate, you can choose a boiler that matches the building’s heat loss on the coldest day of the year. It may seem simple, but if you’re unfamiliar with the terminologies or the several manufacturer phrases that imply the same thing, you’re in for a world of trouble.
The following words will appear on every boiler manufacturer’s Data and Specifications Sheet. It’s critical to understand what they imply — and which ones are interchangeable. It would be ideal if everyone could agree on a single phrase for each piece of defined data. These are:
MBH, input MBH, output MBH, heating capacity MBH, IBR rating, AGA rating, AHRI rating, DOE heating capacity, thermal efficiency, combustion efficiency, AFUE, piping losses, and pick-up losses.
Specification documents from Burnham, HB Smith, Viessmann, Weil-McLain, Lochinvar, Peerless, and others are available. Input MBH and the different efficiencies are the only terms that are universal.
In many major cities, there are average numbers you can follow. For air cooling, 600 BTU/hr/square feet/ton is required, while for heating, 50 BTU/hr/square foot is required. Yes, you read it correctly: heating at 50 BTU/hr/square foot!
It is advised to measure the connected equivalency of direct radiation and the size of the boiler according to the EDR on the manufacturer’s technical datasheet for hot water heating systems.
For many graduates of trade school, these CYA rules of thumb may not be anything an instructor had taught them in school.
That’s why it’s best for contractors and plumbers to search through old textbooks and other material they have been collecting after work and on weekends. Because there is an Internet now, Googling is an option.
The Institute of Boiler and Radiator Manufacturers got their heads together and collected data from hydronic systems and component testing in the recent past. They accomplished it at the University of Illinois in a laboratory and a six-room house they constructed.
The Hydronics Institute grew out of that venture and is now a branch of the Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association. They joined the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute around 12 years ago. These institutions have a 100-year history that is well worth researching. You’re very likely to have encountered these names on boiler data plates or in manufacturer’s documentation if you’ve been in the business for a time or worked with boilers before.
Definitions Of Boiler Terminology
The AGA is participating, and the Department of Energy is definitely involved, as you can see. In reality, the following is clearly stated on today’s equipment AHRI certificates:
“Rated in accordance with Department of Energy Boiler test protocols as published in the most recent edition of the Code of Regulations, 10 CFR Part 431, and subject to verification of rating correctness by AHRI-sponsored, independent third-party testing.”
In a nutshell, these are the phrases you’ll most often encounter and need to understand:
• MBH – It’s as simple as your boiler’s firing rate.
• Total output MBH = Heating Capacity MBH = DOE Capacity MBH: These three terms all refer to the same thing. Almost. They are defined as the rate at which the boiler distributes heat to the system water, assuming no heat loss via the jacket.
You increase the input MBH by the indicated AFUE value for boilers with an input MBH less than 300. The gross output of a Peerless 63-03 with an input MBH of 118 and an AFUE of 83.5 percent is 99 MBH.
98.53 MBH (rounded up to 99 MBH) = 118 x 0.835
This is when the word “nearly” enters the picture. You increase the input MBH by the indicated thermal efficiency for boilers with an MBH of 300 or higher.
• MBH = AHRI. MBH stands for “Net IBR Rating.” MBH: The same goes for these three; they’re all defined the same way. The gross production is multiplied by 0.85 to get it. This calculation estimates that 15% of the gross output of a boiler is lost in the pipes before reaching the heat emitters.
The pick-up allowance is a frequent moniker for this assumption. In fact, any amount of pipe insulation will change or eliminate that assumption entirely.
• AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency): This abbreviation, also known as Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, only applies to boilers with less than 300 input MBH. The US Department of Energy established this seasonal test technique to certify compliance with a congressional requirement. Really.
It is averaged throughout the duration of the heating season, taking into account cycle and standby losses. There are a lot of assumptions that go into this figure, so examine at your own risk.
• Combustion efficiency: This figure is computed using the flue gas temperature and carbon dioxide concentration in the flue gas when burning under steady-state circumstances, which is commonly done using a combustion analyzer. It is determined by the burner’s capacity to convert fuel into heat energy, which is based on a theoretical heat value that is always changing.
This parameter is used by certain businesses to forecast yearly fuel use. That is not something you should do. You can’t sense it’s calculated under continuous firing circumstances, which is impossible to achieve. Your calculations and expected savings will be horribly off.
• Thermal efficiency: This is similar to AFUE in the commercial world. It only applies to boilers with a maximum input MBH of 300. It takes into account the rate at which the heat exchanger in the boiler distributes heat to the water, less any jacket losses. A fuel-to-water efficiency is another way of putting it.
Making Use Of Gross Output
Now it’s time to choose a boiler. Normally, I would choose based on gross production. This decision is based on two factors. The first is that each load calculation likely has a fudge factor built-in. You can check it out for yourself. Check to determine whether your boiler or furnace is operating continually when the temperatures in your location are at their coldest, I mean brutally cold. Is it cycling on and off, and if so, how frequently?
If your equipment is operating constantly or almost continuously and sustaining a temperature of about 70 degrees Fahrenheit, it is most likely sized appropriately. The appliance doesn’t likely have a service-related problem that may affect this experiment.
The second point is that pipe insulation is a sensible investment. The investment will rapidly pay for itself, and the heat will be sent to where it belongs: the heat emitters.
A lot of contractors believe it’s too time-consuming or unsafe to complete a heat loss load calculation and estimate the boiler size based on the one that’s currently there. Neither is the case.
Then there are individuals who go to the trouble of doing a heat loss load estimate just to choose a boiler with a much larger capacity simply to be safe.
You may use the net MBH if that’s more comfortable for you. If you’re unsure, reach out and ask knowledgeable individuals these questions. There’s nothing wrong with it. You can’t obtain answers until you ask them. If you do it correctly the first time, you’ll likely never need to guess again.
The “steam boiler size calculator” is a tool that can help you calculate how much steam your boiler will produce. It also includes a list of the most common sizes of boilers and their corresponding steam output.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I choose a boiler?
A: A boiler is a heating system that heats water and moves it through your home. They are typically installed in homes or businesses to heat up the surrounding area, but they can also be used for other purposes such as ATMs, steam generators, coffee roaster machines and more. Choosing a boiler requires knowing the terminology, and your needs for heating.
How do I know what size boiler I need?
A: You can use these steps to calculate the size of your boiler.
What size boiler do I need for 2000 square feet?
A: A boiler that is approximately 3/4 of a square meter should be sufficient.
Once you own a water heater, you may wonder if your insurance covers any future repairs or replacement. For more on that, see Is Water Heater Repair And Replacement Protected By A Home Warranty?
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