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Posted by Doug Criner on October 14, 2008 at 18:43:37:
In Reply to: Deciding on a new boiler posted by Louise on October 13, 2008 at 15:51:58:
A person with some experience can do a very simple calculation short of a full-blown heat loss computation for the house.
Measure the total length of radiators in the house. Knowing the maximum Btu/hr/ft for the type of radiators installed, along with the water temperature, compute the total Btu/hr radiator capacity. That will be the maximum boiler thermal load, net, after losses.
The theory is that a boiler's demand can't exceed the radiators' output.
Based on that approach, my 168,000 Btu/hr boiler is slightly oversized, but that just allows me to run it with lower water temp, thus increasing boiler efficiency and reducing stack losses.
Why do you have reticence in asking a prospective boiler installer to estimate the correct boiler size? Check their references - if they are honest and experienced, why not get their advice?
What is wrong with your present boiler? Can it run for a year while you can judge its performance and sizing?
Doug
: Our home is 1500 square feet in CT, and we are deciding on gas boilers.
: Possibly Munchkin (condensing or not) or Buderus condensing.
: Looking for high efficiency, but not sure what is the reasonable option for people without a lot of money. What we had before was a too large Utica oil boiler. Is a heat loss calculation somewhat of a moot point with these high-efficiency boilers which cover a range of BTU's? We've had some reticence to do one from contractors who've come by. The house is new to us - we haven't even lived a winter here yet.
: Any advice is greatly appreciated!