A few questions about balancing Central Heating

[ASJ]

I have just completed upgrading my central heating from single pipe to Two pipe, and replacing the radiators with new ones. It is a sealed system with a Vaillant ecotec pro 28 condensing combi boiler, and I am now at the stage of balancing the radiators. I have read up on how to do it but there are a few points that always seem to get glossed over:

1) The upstairs and downstairs circuits each have gate valves on both the flow and return pipes. Do I need to balance the overall circuits themselves using these gate valves, or should I leave them all fully open and just balance the individual radiators?
I believe this boiler has a single speed pump, if i need to alter the flow to achieve the desired temperature drops, I assume I do this by closing down the gate valves of the return pipes?

2) What temperature differential should I be aiming to achieve, some people say 20 C, and some say 11 C

3) Does it matter what temperature I have the boiler set to whilst balancing?

4) Is there a specific order to do it in, i.e. overall circuits first (if required) then radiators. Upstairs then downstairs. Closest to boiler to furthest away...etc. etc.

5) Should ALL the lock shields be fully closed to begin with, or should they all be slightly open (1/4 turn).

6) Do you have to start from cold with each radiator or can you move from one to the next when the system is up to temperature?

Grateful for all advice.
Thanks
Alex

 

[Blake]

Are not all rads getting hot then I assume? Leave gate valves fully open or even remove as they can leak. Put your heating on and then work out which rad gets hot first, with all lock shield valves open, screw shut the first rad that gets hot and then open 1/4 turn or a little more if req. This will restrict the flow sending it on to the next rad on the circuit. Follow same principle for the next rad etc until all rads are warm.

 

[ASJ]

All rads are getting hot, just not at the same rate, some take a little longer to heat up than others. I just tuought it was standard practice when changing radiators, to balance the system afterwards, to get the best out if it.
Thanks for the input.

 

[doitmyself]

See How to balance a CH system.

 

[AWheating]

theres balancing and theres balancing and there what alot do on contract work which is leave every valve open and walk away.

 

[stevetheplumber]

All rads are getting hot, just not at the same rate, some take a little longer to heat up than others. I just tuought it was standard practice when changing radiators, to balance the system afterwards, to get the best out if it.
Thanks for the input.

of course it is when ever i do a rad change i balance the system service the boiler and do a quick powerflush same as when quick fit do my brakes they always do a service and throw in a new clutch

 

[ASJ]

of course it is when ever i do a rad change i balance the system service the boiler and do a quick powerflush same as when quick fit do my brakes they always do a service and throw in a new clutch

Wow! if i'd known you do all that i would have called you in rather than doing it all myself!
Oh and could you send me the number for your Kwikfit centre please?