Hot Water Heating Systems: Modern Conventional Boiler / Conventional Systems
by adminHot Water Heating Systems: Modern Conventional Boiler / Conventional Systems
By Gil Strachan
In a hot water (hydronic) heating systems, water is heated in a gas, oil, or electric boiler and circulated through pipes to convectors older systems use radiators. When the thermostat calls for heat, a “circulator pump” in the boiler return line moves water through the pipes to the convectors, which give up heat to the rooms. When the circulator is not pumping, a “flow-control valve” stops the water flow to protect the convectors from overheating.
Older gravity systems have no circulator pumps and depend on lighter, heated water rising in the pipes to the radiators and cooler, heavier water gravitating back to the boiler.
Single-pipe systems, with short branch lines to each convector, are used in small to medium-sized houses. Two pipe systems use separate supply and return pipes, and are more appropriate for larger houses, because cool return water from convectors doesn t pass through others. This maintains a higher water temperature at far ends of the system.
As heated water expands, an air-tight “expansion tank” on the hot side of the boiler takes in the excess and if the tank fills up, a “safety-relief valve” on top of the boiler relieves the pressure. If this valve leaks under normal operating pressure, you can open it (beware of hot spray) and close it. If the dripping continues, the relief valve needs to be replaced.
Twice a year, if the circulator pump and motor are not permanently lubricated, add a couple drops of oil. If you want to work on your boiler, shut off the power, let it cool down and then drain the system if necessary. Older tanks can be drained when they re too full, but newer “diaphragm tanks” should be drained only by qualified service personnel.
When first heating cold water in a hydronic system, it releases air which becomes trapped in the convectors, preventing hot water from entering. To release this air, most convectors are installed with air vents, which can be opened with a screwdriver until hot water squirts out.
Efficiency can be improved by insulating pipes, or by partially closing convector shut-off valves in rooms requiring less heat. Systems can be divided into zones with one or more rooms controlled by a thermostatic “zone valve”. Alternatively, a separate circulator is sometimes used for each zone, or you could have thermostatic valves installed on each convector, but these options might be expensive.
Boilers are more expensive to install than other systems, but are generally trouble-free, very efficient, and last much longer than other types of heating systems.
* Some newer systems use non-metallic piping, installed in/under floors, to distribute hot water in the rooms to be heated. In some cases, a domestic oil or gas-fired hot water tank can be fitted with a circulating pump, and the hot water directed to convectors or a heating coil installed in a hot air plenum.
Solar Hot Water - What Solar Panel Systems Work On Combi Boilers
Solar Hot Water - What Solar Panel Systems Work On Combi Boilers
By Lee Croucher
Most Solar Panel systems should work with your combination boiler...
Solar Panel Pool Heating Systems
Solar Panel Pool Heating SystemsBy Lee Croucher
We have done extensive research on Solar Panels and companies installing Solar Water Heating Sy...
High Velocity Air Conditioners
High Velocity Air ConditionersBy Marcus Peterson
High velocity air conditioners work by delivering air into a room at a high velocity (roughly ...
Tankless Hot Water Heater - How Can It Improve Your Home
Tankless Hot Water Heater - How Can It Improve Your HomeBy Tanya Turner
How often did you take a shower and the water started to run cold befor...
Paloma Tankless Heaters - Eliminate Water Heating Inefficiencies
Paloma Tankless Heaters - Eliminate Water Heating InefficienciesBy Menachem Green
Paloma tankless heaters are a great way to save money on wate...
You can probably find a home inspection for a little less than what we ask, but you probably won t find the Home Reference Book. A $60 value, this solutions-oriented reference tool comes free with every inspection we perform.
It s the first tool you should have around the house!
http://EzineArticles.com/?Hot-Water-Heating-Systems:-Modern-Conventional-Boiler-/-Conventional-Systems&id=99694
Sphere: Related Content.
