If you are like most designers or installers, I would wager that you have never read the installation manual for the piece of equipment that you design or install. You should because you may be held responsible for any recommendations made in the manual that are not implemented.
John was a custodian for a local school district. We used to call him “20 Questions” because he would constantly ply us with questions about the boilers when we would perform the annual service. He would jokingly ask how many of the 20 questions he would have left.
Consider low-high-low burners on your next replacement.
August 26, 2013
For years we have designed boiler rooms consisting of two oversized boilers with fully modulating burners. The idea was that the boilers could “loaf” along at low fire because we were told they were more efficient at low fire. I think it is time to rethink those strategies.
A complaint building maintenance departments frequently hear is that the occupants are either too hot or too cold. In some instances, both complaints may come from the same room.
Steam systems have the reputation of being the “bad boy” of the industry and I believe it may be unfounded. Many will suggest replacing the steam system with a new system but it may be fiscally unrealistic to do so.
Sorting out which controls do what.When looking at a commercial boiler, I notice many controls are mounted on and around it. It reminds me of a Christmas tree with ornaments hanging from it. The function and duty of these controls are sometimes confusing.