Boiler Research Project - ASHRAE Standard 155P – Phase II

This is the final report for 2012 phase (Phase II) of the boiler research performed at PG&E’s Applied Technology Services (ATS) in support of ASHRAE Standard 155P. Standard 155P, “Method of Testing for Rating Commercial Space Heating Boiler Systems”, has been under development by ASHRAE for over 17 years. Standard 155P is sorely needed by the HVAC industry because there is no standard for rating the performance of commercial boilers at part load conditions (where most boiler operate most of the time) or at realistic entering water temperatures. BTS-2000 is the current standard used by the industry but it only rates boilers at full load and only at unrealistically low entering water temperatures. Standard 155P will allow engineers, manufacturers, owners, policy makers, simulation software developers and others to objectively evaluate and compare the true performance of boilers. This will lead to better HVAC designs, better boiler designs, better utility incentive programs, better energy codes, etc.—all of which will lead to significant natural gas savings and emissions reductions.

The primary goal of the boiler research at ATS has been to support ASHRAE in overcoming the remaining technical questions that are hindering the completion of Standard 155P. Phase I of the boiler research at ATS was completed in early 2012. It focused on identifying any fundamental flaws in the test methodology, calculation procedures and report forms. No fundamental flaws were identified but several minor flaws and recommendations were identified, such as the need to address stratification.