Recent install Firebird 26kw Condensing boiler. Space heat only. Installed as replacement boiler in well insulated 80s renovated home. (Silver bead wall cavities, triple glazing 0.6 centre pane U value, 450mm rockwool in loft) This house is now split into 2no zones. Downstairs and Upstairs. Independent time & temperature zone controls.
The system design would have been prior to these new condensing boilers. Therefore rads etc would have originally been sized per 82c supply and 71c return as the old tried and tested favourite say.
Whereas it is said that in order for a condensing boiler to condense the system design should be 65c supply, 45c return ideally. No issue for a new build with under floor heating etc. But for an older property like mine this is what I want to explore and talk about in detail.
Would I be correct in thinking the ideal scenario here would be to review the original radiators, delta temperature calculate the output and most likely have to upsize most all of them by factor of 1.5 etc in order to produce effective heat output in the cooler months, whilst reaping full benefits and efficiency of a modern condensing boiler?
I am NOT a heating engineer. I am a chartered Architectural Technologist by trade and Design Manager in daily job. I require to have sound knowledge in all building elements – and to me this includes heating system design. Today I am conducting an initial experiment on my home. To measure over time:
Run time
Condensate output in ML
Boiler Flow & Return Temps
Flue Temp
I want to see generally that if I run the system temperature in a real world example over the 45c to say 55 & 65c return temps that I need to input useful heat to my home, is the boiler still producing condensate and is the flue gas temp also rising indicating loss of efficiency.
Mods can move this to the Oil / Solid fuel section if they like but it is a gerneral condensing central heating discussion and probably will get more exposure in the central heating section.
The system design would have been prior to these new condensing boilers. Therefore rads etc would have originally been sized per 82c supply and 71c return as the old tried and tested favourite say.
Whereas it is said that in order for a condensing boiler to condense the system design should be 65c supply, 45c return ideally. No issue for a new build with under floor heating etc. But for an older property like mine this is what I want to explore and talk about in detail.
Would I be correct in thinking the ideal scenario here would be to review the original radiators, delta temperature calculate the output and most likely have to upsize most all of them by factor of 1.5 etc in order to produce effective heat output in the cooler months, whilst reaping full benefits and efficiency of a modern condensing boiler?
I am NOT a heating engineer. I am a chartered Architectural Technologist by trade and Design Manager in daily job. I require to have sound knowledge in all building elements – and to me this includes heating system design. Today I am conducting an initial experiment on my home. To measure over time:
Run time
Condensate output in ML
Boiler Flow & Return Temps
Flue Temp
I want to see generally that if I run the system temperature in a real world example over the 45c to say 55 & 65c return temps that I need to input useful heat to my home, is the boiler still producing condensate and is the flue gas temp also rising indicating loss of efficiency.
Mods can move this to the Oil / Solid fuel section if they like but it is a gerneral condensing central heating discussion and probably will get more exposure in the central heating section.