Saw a 20-year-old boiler last week that still had its original tube sheets

Back in the 90s we used to spec half-inch tube sheets as standard on everything. Now every job I see calls for 5/8 minimum. Has anyone else noticed how much boiler weight has crept up over the years?

3 comments

3 Comments

riley_schmidt16d ago

That 1/8 inch difference doesn't seem like much until you add up all the extra material across the whole sheet. Weight might not matter on the pad but it sure makes a difference when you're trying to lift or transport one through a tight basement door. The older units lasted forever with half-inch, so it really does feel like manufacturers are just padding things to avoid any possible callback.

the_cameron17d ago

5/8 inch is just overkill for most residential jobs.

david3717d ago

Is a few hundred extra pounds really gonna matter once it's sitting on a concrete pad? Seems like people are overthinking this.