Size up the sizing options: sometimes, it's the little things that help the most. While plugging in standard specifications can be common for boilers and other equipment, some circumstances might call for some closer examination to weigh contenders and obtain accurate load information. Here's a survey of what boiler manufacturers offer online, in the way of software, help you make the most of their particular models

Engineered Systems, Nov, 2006

Looking up "boilerplate" in the American Heritage Dictionary yields the following definitions: "1. A steel plate used in making the shells of steam boilers. 2. Journalistic material, such as syndicated features, available in plate or mat form." OK, so maybe both of those could use a little updating, but "boilerplate" still remains a unique intersection of HVAC terminology and publishing vocabulary.

Our goal here is to give you an overview of what the various boiler manufacturers supply in the way of tools to make your next boiler project easier. Some have software programs, others have literature and CAD libraries. Some offer downloads, some will mail you a CD-ROM. We focus first on the opportunities to download sizing software or to use a program right there on a company's website. After that, we'll review several other websites, a few of which put their own twists on the usual information.

So take a quick look to see who might be able to save you some time the next time you have to do some boiler / hot water heater investigation. Some of these tools consider a wealth of different commercial applications, review the company's line of products, then provide some quick and targeted guidance. And when the success (or worse, the failure) of a project could rest on the ability to select the best equipment for the job, you can't always afford to fall back on some dusty boilerplate approach, can you?

SOFTWARE / ONLINE TOOLS

Beyond the conventional technical library, users can go to the AERCO (www. aerco.com) site and take advantage of the Selection Wizard, designed to guide users to the right equipment for their projects. Users select the application (domestic hot water, laundry, hydronic space heating, and beyond), input the type of fuel, and inspect the subsequent recommendations.

Weil-McLain (www.weil-mclain.com) does allow visitors to purchase video instruction for a number of topics and units, including hot water and steam boilers and zoning hydronic heating systems. The company also offers Radiant Expert 2000, a downloadable program. This in-depth design program is a fairly large file, so users can also order the software for delivery on CD-ROM if they wish.

Taco (www.taco-hvac.com) dedicates a page to explaining the benefits of its downloadable LoadMatch[R] Hydronic System Solution (HSS) software, currently in version 3.2. It educates designers about the manufacturer's recommended one-pipe hydronics design, replacing various valves with LoadMatch circulators, which the company says results in improved performance and occupant comfort.

Engineers can use the RightSpec[R] sizing software from Bradford-White (www.bradfordwhite.com) on the site itself, no downloading involved. It offers a whopping 22 choices for commercial application type, from dairy barn to resort motel to coin-operated car wash. Users select the application and then enter data accordingly. Three options for sizing tankless water heaters also await.

Engineers can go to A.O. Smith Water Heaters (www.hotwater. com) and order its Acc-U-Size[R] CD-ROM for commercial sizing in food service, multiple dwelling, and other environments. The program facilitates sizing on applications with tank heaters, tank heaters with storage tanks, and boilers with storage tanks, considering the expected variety of heat sources as well. Drawings for dimensional and piping functions can be printed or exported to other PC programs.

State Water Heaters (www.statewaterheaters.com) produces a StateSize sizing guide. Visitors can select this page under the "Customer Care" page, then either call or fax info to the company to order a copy of the program on CD-ROM.

Burnham Hydronics (www.burnham.com) offers not one but two software programs. DesignPro is a new program dealing with heat loss calculation, heat distribution design, and material list creation. Meanwhile, the SmartDesign program aids specifying engineers in project documentation prep, via info about boiler ratings, spec sheets, piping diagrams, and more. Find these by clicking the "Boiler Basics" heading and then clicking on the "Software" option.

Hurst Boiler (www.hurstboiler.com) does not feature sizing software but lets users order its interactive CD-ROM catalog. The site also includes an inventory of CAD data as well as an interactive point-and-click parts guide, where users can get info and even order specific parts for various models.

OTHER RESOURCES

Lochinvar (www.lochinvar.com) doesn't offer software per se, but the site hosts a library of various resources. Visitors can select from the usual literature but also from options including diagrams, drawings, a system integration guide, a designer's guide, and sequencing charts for multiple boiler use.

Bryan Boilers (www.bryanboilers.com) has an "Engineering Data" page featuring both a downloadable "Conversion Factors" Excel file that considers various design parameters and a simple calculator. Visitors can also view a video tour.

Buderus (www.buderus.net) posts a PDF of a 48-page commercial product selection guide. The same page includes a fairly handy series of dropdown menus, where the user can select a variety of manuals and literature on company products from large boilers to heated towel racks, even including discontinued models.