boiler load calculations
#1
01-09-10, 08:20 PM
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: South Dakota
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boiler load calculations
I got to thinking, since I have been planning to do some work on my boiler system, adding baseboards, DHW system, etc. I thought it may be a smart idea to first determine if the boiler can deal with the final demand load before I go jumping into stuff, buying parts, etc. only to have it not work properly. I downloaded the taco load tool, but once I got into it, there is a lot of different specs that the program requires that I do not know. I was wondering if there is a simpler way to do load calculations? I currently have a weil mcclain cga 4 gas boiler, and I will have to see how many feet of baseboard I have. The newer baseboards are the stant fin baseboards, which their website specs 600btu/foot, but what about the older cast iron baseboards? I still have quite a few of these units as well.
#2
01-10-10, 04:56 AM
Your boiler is sized to the heat loss of the house. You can add as much baseboard as you want, but you they won't put out more BTU's than what the boiler will put out. Having a lot of radiation is good because you can start running your system with lower water temperatures.
The DHW should be set as priority so when it calls for heat, it will be the only zone receiving hot water from the boiler. This will eliminate the need for a larger boiler.
The DHW should be set as priority so when it calls for heat, it will be the only zone receiving hot water from the boiler. This will eliminate the need for a larger boiler.
#3
01-10-10, 05:19 AM
As drooplug stated add as much as you want. The heat loss of the home doesn't change unless you add onto the home. The boiler will still heat the home. The only change is going to be the water temp required to heat the home. If you know the heat loss and divide the amount of radiation into the heat loss you will know what your water temperature needs to be per zone of course.
#4
01-10-10, 05:33 AM
You could grab the slant/fin load tool. Simpler than Taco's. Recent thread here on its location.
Insulate and air seal before adding heat output. Save more energy forever instead of use more energy forever.
Insulate and air seal before adding heat output. Save more energy forever instead of use more energy forever.
#5
01-10-10, 02:19 PM
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thanks guys, I had an idea that putting the DHW on a priority setup would be key not not overloading the boiler, but did not know if adding baseboard would effect it or not. I will go and find this design tool, and I will get back to you with any further questions or comments.
