Heating and Ventilating Systems 41

Figure 3-8. Oil Burner

An improperly adjusted burner, a blocked exhaust stack, the

blower or dampers set incorrectly, or any condition which results
in a negative pressure in the boiler room, can cause a high fuel-
to-air condition. A negative pressure in the boiler room can be the
result of one or a combination of conditions such as an exhaust
fan creating a negative pressure in the boiler room, a restricted
combustion air louver into the boiler room, or even adverse wind
conditions.
High air-to-fuel ratios also reduce boiler efficiency. If too
much air is brought in (excess air), the hot gases are diluted too
much and move too fast through the tubes before proper heat
transfer can occur. High air volumes are typically caused by im-
proper blower or damper settings.

ELECTRIC BOILERS

Electric boilers produce heat by electricity and operate at up

to 16,000 volts. Electric boilers are typically compact, clean and
42 HVAC Fundamentals

quiet. They have replaceable heating elements, either electrode or

resistance-coil. With the electrode type boiler, the heat is gener-
ated by electric current flowing from one electrode to another
electrode through the boiler water. Resistance-coil electric boilers
have the electricity flowing through a coiled conductor similar to
an electric space heater. Resistance created by the coiled conduc-
tor generates heat. Resistance-coil electric boilers are not as com-
mon as electrode electric boilers.
Electric boilers are an alternative to oil or gas boilers where
these boilers are restricted by emission regulation and in areas
where the cost of electric power is minimal. Electric boilers can be
fire tube or water tube and supply low or high pressure steam or
hot water. Sizes range from 9 kW to 3,375 kW output, which is
30,717 Btuh to 11,518,875 Btuh (1 kW = 3413 Btuh).

HEAT AND FLUID FLOW CALCULATIONS

FOR HEATING SYSTEM

Looking at the heating system, Figure 3-9, calculate gpm of

water flow if the heating coil load is 243,810 Btuh and TD is 20°F
(200°F EWT - 180°F LWT).

Btuh = gpm × 500 × TD

Where:
Btuh = Btu per hour
gpm = volume of water flow, gallons per minute
500 = constant
60 min/hr × 8.33 lb/gal × 1 Btu/lb/°F
TD = temperature difference of the water entering (EWT)
and leaving (LWT) the coil. ∆T may be used substituted for TD.

Then:
gpm = Btuh ÷ (500 × TD)
gpm = 243,810 ÷ (500 × 20)