Balancing heaters...

MrThrifty

Yikes, this topic again. If a heating system is properly balanced when all zone valves are open, should the heaters in each zone then be balanced when only those individual zones are in use?! By balanced, I don't just mean all heaters get warm or hot, but actually have a ~10degC drop across flow and return?

heinbloed

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75462564

The return temperature of all radiators should match.

MrThrifty

heinbloed wrote: »

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=75462564

The return temperature of all radiators should match.

Interesting take on it -> Apparently the proper way is to get the same temperature drop across all rads, but the reality is that some rads have a higher flow than others if closer to the boiler (less pipe losses) and these end up with a higher return temperature then if balancing the temperature drop way...

But back to the original question, would you balance each zone of a system (except the cylinder) individually or open all zone valves and do them together at the same time?

heinbloed

The OP wrote:

Apparently the proper way is to get the same temperature drop across all rads,...

This would be entirely wrong. And self explained:

" ....but the reality is that some rads have a higher flow than others if closer to the boiler (less pipe losses) and these end up with a higher return temperature then if balancing the temperature drop way..."

Contact a competent plumber,heating engineer etc...Someone with a thermometer.
Waiting another heating season will cost you extra again. The hydraulic balancing (versus an unbalanced CHS) usually sees an amortisation within less than a heating season.

The hydraulic balancing of a central heating system (not: zones) is usually done with all heat exchangers open - all radiators and all thermal buffers/storages (not: zones). Unless a combi-boiler is the thermal source. The DHW taps will be left closed during the hydraulic balancing.

nuzzer

a (thermometer) wheres he supposed to stick that ya f..kin plonk you should be shot with a ball of your own ****e

JohnnieK

Clamp them onto the flow and return and get the differential. Adjust the lock shield until a 10oC dif is achieved.

Unless the pipes are insulated to an inch of there lives there will be differences of flow temps.

They should be balanced with all valves open. No point balancing each zone individually as if there is circumstances where all zones are calling then you will be back to the same issue again.

The cylinder coil needs to be balanced too.

MrThrifty

JohnnieK wrote: »

Clamp them onto the flow and return and get the differential. Adjust the lock shield until a 10oC dif is achieved.

Unless the pipes are insulated to an inch of there lives there will be differences of flow temps.

They should be balanced with all valves open. No point balancing each zone individually as if there is circumstances where all zones are calling then you will be back to the same issue again.

The cylinder coil needs to be balanced too.

Thanks JohnnieK... Though the problem is that if you balance all zones together, you are also back to the same issue if an individual zone is calling. Usually a living area zone is active for most of the day whereas the bedroom zones are only calling briefly in the morning and at night - that's where I was coming from with the original question. I suppose it depends really maybe on how the heating is used in the house at the end of the day.

heinbloed

@ the OP:
Better get the term "zone" out of your head and use instead "thermal emitter" or "radiator" or "heat exchanger". Or the plural.

Equipped with this new point of view things apear logic.

The hydraulic balancing of a central heating is not necesary the same as the thermal balancing of a thermal emitter.
Therefore ask yourself what you are intending to do. And why.

The hydraulic balancing of a CH system will lead to a similar return temperature, a balanced return temperature from all thermal emitters, heat exchangers, radiators .... And therefore to an economized fuel usage.

If this is what is wanted then the temperature difference between inlet and outlet of a radiator is absolute irrelevant (Delta TK flow/return).
Only the outlet temperature (return) counts when doing a hydraulic balancing. Nothing else.

Otherwise you'll have indeed the problem with " ... back to the same issue if an individual zone is calling ".

Once a hydraulic balancing of a CH system had been done correctly this problem does not occure.

JohnnieK

I can see where this thread is going

shane0007

JohnnieK wrote: »

I can see where this thread is going

Me too!!!

nuzzer wrote: »

a (thermometer) wheres he supposed to stick that ya f..kin plonk you should be shot with a ball of your own ****e

This forum cracks me up, lol... We should enter it for some award or Ireland's Got Talent, or something to that effect!

KoolKid

Infraction for Nuzzer,
and Closed!!