Back boiler and gravity heating.

Bull76

Hi Guys,

Looking for some guidance if possible please. I have installed radiators into my parents house. Over thirth years old, Open vented system. Never had radiators only the stanley range heating. Put in a new Lagged copper tank. Indirect system, Gravity feed hot water. Had to run feeds for the new expansion tank and fill loop to the attic, then the extra piping for the Radiators
The back boiler circuit was always in place so I just altered the system for the Radiators.
The Gravity feed heats the Copper cylinder perfectly. I connected up the system so that I could isolate the Radiators and still have hot water.
I was under the impression that when the upstairs radiators were connected to the heating loop that the radiators upstairs would get heat?

I have T'd off the Gravity feed and connected the radiator loop here. The fill and expansion are connected to the top of the T'd off feeds. The radiator feeds upwards a further 2 foot and then goes Horizontal for about a metre, I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and that some form of slope upwards would be better to get some form of hot water flowing? Is it possible to have a gravity feed heating system upstairs? I was under the impression I could, reason been if the electricity ever goes then no power to the pump and no heating. There has never been radiators in this house.

I have a pump installed for the system and wired this in today also and will be controlled via pipe stat. The pump circulates the heated water around to all the radiators without any issue.

Any input much appreciated.

Regards,
Bull76

Stove Fan

Bull76 wrote: »

Hi Guys,

Looking for some guidance if possible please. I have installed radiators into my parents house. Over thirth years old, Open vented system. Never had radiators only the stanley range heating. Put in a new Lagged copper tank. Indirect system, Gravity feed hot water. Had to run feeds for the new expansion tank and fill loop to the attic, then the extra piping for the Radiators
The back boiler circuit was always in place so I just altered the system for the Radiators.
The Gravity feed heats the Copper cylinder perfectly. I connected up the system so that I could isolate the Radiators and still have hot water.
I was under the impression that when the upstairs radiators were connected to the heating loop that the radiators upstairs would get heat?

I have T'd off the Gravity feed and connected the radiator loop here. The fill and expansion are connected to the top of the T'd off feeds. The radiator feeds upwards a further 2 foot and then goes Horizontal for about a metre, I'm assuming this shouldn't be the case and that some form of slope upwards would be better to get some form of hot water flowing? Is it possible to have a gravity feed heating system upstairs? I was under the impression I could, reason been if the electricity ever goes then no power to the pump and no heating. There has never been radiators in this house.

I have a pump installed for the system and wired this in today also and will be controlled via pipe stat. The pump circulates the heated water around to all the radiators without any issue.

Any input much appreciated.

Regards,
Bull76

Hi:) Some pictures would be usefull of the radiator feed pipes and feed and vent pipe connections.

Yes it's possible to get gravity circulation upstairs.

To get gravity radiators working upstairs the supply pipe(flow) to them should constantly rise to the radiator(s). The pipework can't go up and then down as it would cut the gravity flow.
It sounds like your 1 metre run needs altering to slope upwards. For gravity flow to the radiators I use the top entry tapping on the radiator(s) and the return on the opposite bottom.
Depending on length of pipe runs it should mostly be in 3/4 piping. As it's gravity you need larger pipes than the 1/2 inch. I reduce the 3/4 to 1/2 inch 300mm from the rad.

Stove Fan:)

Bull76

Hi,

Thanks for that. I will look into altering the pipe work as it is easy enough to get to. I'll take a few pics then. I'll keep this updated as best I can.

Regards,
bull76

JohnnieK

Also if your rads have 4 connections try using TBOE connections. Have the flow going into the top connection of the radiator and the return on the bottom on the opposite end. This too will aid circulation.

Bull76

Hi Folks,

Back down home today and changed the run of the piping and now have gravity heating upstairs.

Thanks for your help.

Regards,
Bull76