Struggling upstairs heating circuit.

[westyvip]

I have just installed a system in a fairly large detached house. I have relocated a Glowworm Ultracom 24hxi heat only boiler converting it to a sealed system. There are currently two heating zones (upstairs/downstairs). Customer has had existing cast iron rads refurbed with only a few new rads fitted. The downstairs circuit heats up fairly quickly and gets red hot. However, i am struggling to commision the upstairs circuit. Boiler is downstairs in garage and pipework it fairly long 22mm run going upstairs in 22 and only reducing down to 15mm for last 2 rads. Flow pipes upstairs get banging hot but i am stuggling to get rads hot and returning. Pump is a 15/60. I am worried that there maybe too much 22mm pipework upstairs or just a simply case of an airlock somewhere. Its the first 'large' system i have really installed so just wondering if anyone has any tips or suggestions where i may have piped up wrong or any suggestions as to best way to work all air out of system. Kind Regards, Rich

 

[moony]

have you balanced rads properly mate ?

water will take the easiest route - so if its finding dowstairs easiest restrict the flow to them (via rad valves) get the upstairs working then try to find a happy medium. ive been on jobs for a day balancing other peoples work - can be a nightmare and not always get the results you want if the pipework isnt correct.

 

[Best]

You probably just need system balanced finely.
Also be very careful to fit a valve on pipes to hot cylinders (if any fitted) as they need balanced, as a total bypass if not!
22mm will do a the whole house of that output, so should be no problem.
Turn other rads off & if the upstairs works better, then needs system balanced or - rare, the pump can be faulty. Check M.valve is opening fully if nothing else sorting it.

 

[westyvip]

have you balanced rads properly mate ?

water will take the easiest route - so if its finding dowstairs easiest restrict the flow to them (via rad valves) get the upstairs working then try to find a happy medium. ive been on jobs for a day balancing other peoples work - can be a nightmare and not always get the results you want if the pipework isnt correct.

With it being on seperate zones....you would assume with just the upstairs zone on (5 rads) then there shouldnt be any rads struggling really. Im aware they need balancing correctly...but i would assume they should at least be getting luke warm. I have fitted gate valves after the 2 ports.....so i can restrict the flow to the whole downstairs circuit when both are on....but nothing seems to help! i am adament it must be air in the system as i can here it in pump. Just struggling to push it into one radiator! i wish i hadnt priced for job and i was on day rate! lol! Its all good experience though!

 

[Best]

Maybe you filled system with m.valves not manually on?
If it is an airlock - whatever the cause, you should be able to remove air by linking a hose to one side of one of the rads that's not working & turn valve on while someone at the same time keeps the filling loop topped up. Let the water flow for a while - a bucket full perhaps, & then repeat on other valve. You will know if air is removed as flow will splutter.

 

[Best]

I should have added that despite the pipework being pumped, always consider fitting them to a point that air can go. If you plastic instead of copper, you are more likely to get airlocks, IMO, as it tends to be all shapes.

 

[westyvip]

I should have added that despite the pipework being pumped, always consider fitting them to a point that air can go. If you plastic instead of copper, you are more likely to get airlocks, IMO, as it tends to be all shapes.

It is in plastic (dont normally but cut down on labour due to size of job). Had all rads off and got some air out. Put rad back on, gets luke warm despite flow banging hot but return still stone cold. This is same on all rads. Cant even get just one rad hot (with others turned off). Same again....flow hot...return cold...boiler shuts down because cant circulate heat

 

[PlumbBobBob]

possibly pump did you fit a new one?

 

[warrington]

You put new system, is there any chance pipe being blocked? What about emptying the system and refill again with m.valve manually on, and balance them.

 

[westyvip]

I should have added that despite the pipework being pumped, always consider fitting them to a point that air can go. If you plastic instead of copper, you are more likely to get airlocks, IMO, as it tends to be all shapes.

It is in plastic (dont normally but cut down on labour due to size of job). Had all rads off and got some air out. Put rad back on, gets luke warm despite flow banging hot but return still stone cold. This is same on all rads. Cant even get just one rad hot (with others turned off). Same again....flow hot...return cold...boiler shuts down because cant circulate heat

 

[Gray0689]

Turn off all rads and get a mains pipe on a return pipe from
A rad and blow air lock out

 

[westyvip]

I should have added that despite the pipework being pumped, always consider fitting them to a point that air can go. If you plastic instead of copper, you are more likely to get airlocks, IMO, as it tends to be all shapes.

It is in plastic (dont normally but cut down on labour due to size of job). Had all rads off and got some air out. Put rad back on, gets luke warm despite flow banging hot but return still stone cold. This is same on all rads. Cant even get just one rad hot (with others turned off). Same again....flow hot...return cold...boiler shuts down because cant circulate heat

 

[westyvip]

Sorry bout the re-posting lads.....phone is playing up. or im getting clumsy with my fat plumber fingers