How Do You Evaluate Heating Options for a 3,000 Sqft Elementary School?

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SUMMARY

This discussion focuses on evaluating heating options for retrofitting a 3,000 sqft elementary school with either baseboard heaters or a small boiler. Key considerations include comparing fuel costs, specifically electric at $0.0463/kWh versus natural gas at $0.72390 per 1,000 therms, and understanding the overall heat requirements based on ASHRAE design conditions. Participants emphasize the necessity of consulting an engineer for accurate assessments and highlight the importance of component performance and financing differences in decision-making.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of ASHRAE design conditions for heating
  • Knowledge of fuel cost calculations for electric and natural gas
  • Familiarity with heating system components, specifically baseboard heaters and boilers
  • Basic principles of energy efficiency and economic analysis
NEXT STEPS
  • Research ASHRAE heating load calculations for accurate heat requirement assessments
  • Compare the efficiency ratings of different boiler and baseboard heater models
  • Investigate financing options for heating system installations
  • Analyze long-term cost implications of electric versus natural gas heating
USEFUL FOR

Facility managers, school administrators, HVAC engineers, and anyone involved in the decision-making process for heating system upgrades in educational facilities.

Windseaker
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looking to find out what it take to retro-fit a small elementry school ( 3,000sqft) with new base board heater or small boiler.
to calculate the different fuels (electric vs natural gas) and amounts used?

In NW: older rates (just for calculations)
electric is $.0463/kWh
vs
1st 2,000 therms: $0.72390

What would do next to evaluate getting a boiler or base boards?

Thank you

Jim
 
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How is it heated now? At best, you can do some back-of-the-envelope calculations here, but you really need an engineer to put some real time and effort into this.
 
Are you looking for maximum economic savings or maximum overall efficiency?

What is the overall heat requirement at the winter ASHRAE design conditions?

What is the performance of components you are comparing?

What are the prices of the components you are comparing?

Would the financing be different between the two options?

I agree with Russ that it may be difficult to get any real answers without some serious work. However, depending on what you are trying to maximize and your geographic location it may be clear (although not likely to be clear) what the better choice is by doing some back of the envelope calculations.