House not warming

Anthony_16

Thanks mark. Now I do realize how much I needed it.
2 questions:
1) If I place a new baseboard in the same room, against an inside wall, do you think that will fix the problem?
2) the baseboard was taken out in the kitchen. ( which is currently undergoing construction) If I put in radiant floor heating, do you think that may fix the problem?

I want to thank you and all the other members who have taken the time out to respond with some very good advice. Much appreciated.
Thanks to all.

Anthony_16

House not warming

I have loop hot water heating in a Colonial home which has approximately 1500 square feet on each floor.For some reason, when the temperature outside is below 20 degrees, the temperature in the downstairs (street level) zone can never get past 64 degrees, even if I put the htermostat to 74. I had my Gas Company (KeySpan) come over and they increased the Aqua Stat to 190 degrees. Everything else on the Burner was in excellent shape, and running efficiently. The Technician also told me to move the furniture a few inches away from the baseboards, so more heat can circulate. Anyway, I did what they said and I have the same problem. Can anyone give me any ideas as to why this would be happening, and what I can possibly do to avoid this.
Thank you

Donny

more info needed!

how many and what pipe size are loops, how many feet of radiation per loop, how long are loops. insulation in walls, heat loss done? is this a new or continuing problem

Mark Hunt

A few questions


Does the boiler's burner cycle on and off when the first floor is calling for heat?

Have you had new carpeting installed recently?

If the burner on the boiler cycles off on a call for heat from the first floor, then I would say that you are under-radiated on the first floor.

I have seen instances where new carpeting that was installed blocked off the lower opening on the baseboard. This will effectively shut off convection and the area(s)will be cold.

Mark H

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Timco

What temp does the boiler gauge say? What temp is the aquastat set for?

T

Anthony_16

The Burner cycle shuts off and on while its calling for heat. No new carpet, but we did insert a 6 foot sliding door, where there was a baseboard. This was done 3 rooms away from where the thermostat is.

Mark Hunt

Ok


Well, you may have shorted the baseboard enough to make this happen.

The burner shuts off because the water is getting hot enough, you just don't have enough baseboard anymore.

If it was a boiler issue, it would effect the entire house.

Anyway to get more baseboard in there?

Mark H

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

Somethiing Else

House not warm.

Does the boiler have a pump aquastat? I had a call where the boiler kept cycling, and the builind was getting warm.. Boiler would heat up, cold water would come back to the boiler, pump aquastat would shut the boiler off. Cycle would start again. Pump aquastat adjusted, problem solved.

Is the boiler producing Domestic hot water? Does it have priority?

Anthony_16

Yes, on an interior wall. Nothing available along the perimeter of the first floor.

Mark Hunt

Won't matter


You need to get those btu's back in there.

I missed the "We installed a new window/door" option, sorry.

My professional advice at this point is, replace what was removed.

I've seen this scenario countless times before. "How much do we really need that radiator/baseboard?".....

Well....now you know.

You have to put the btu's back Anthony. This will solve your problem.

Mark H

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"

mr bull

home not heating

Sorry to hear its not heating.
A real simple way to figure out whats up.
35btu per Sq foot in a home with basic insulation.
multiply 1500sq' x 35 = 52500btu.
You get about 600btu per foot on standard baseboard.
This means you need 87.5 feet of baseboard to heat your 15oo sq feet on your coldest day.
I live in Colorado where 30btu per sq' is o.k up to 8000 feet elevation.
Insulation is a key factor. No insulation at all means way more. Old guys used to go with 100btu per sq before insulation in my area. Good luck.

Anthony_16

Great advice, Thank you. I currently have approximately 75 feet of baseboard. Looks like I will have to replace the portion I took out, plus a little more.

Not sure if you are reading the other responses but I asked 2 questions to mark hunt. I am curious as to your response also: Keep in mind, I just remived 8 feet of baseboard in my kitchen.
1) If I place a new baseboard in the same room, against an inside wall, do you think that will fix the problem? 2) the baseboard was taken out in the kitchen. ( which is currently undergoing construction) If I put in radiant floor heating, do you think that may fix the problem?

Thanks much,
Anthony
Anthony

Donny

opinions

I never put more than 60' of baseboard on a 3/4" loop. if you replace the section of baseboard that was removed the missing btu's would return and should bring back the senario that existed prior to it's removal. with a properly designed and installed radiant system you should be able to remove all the baseboard in the kitchen.

william_5

a penny from my throughs

the guys are right about adding b.b. but lets look at the thermastat is it a set back? or what temp do you put it down at night to? two many homes i been to wherethey just cant get warm the set back is at 65 at night going to 74 at 530am and at 2 in the afternoon it might be only 70 in the house the boiler is up to temp the thermastatesare calling for heat the b.b. is hot the house just wont warm up once the outside temp breaks over 25 deg things are ok i the owner to rase the set back at night and that has made a big difference in the day temp

also have you throught about replaycing the b.b. with high out put b.b.its bigger than what you are use to but it will help in the long run
william

Anthony_16

You have a good point.
At night (11PM) I put the temp down to 62 and up to 72 at 5:30AM. By 2 or 3 in the afternoon it wont go past 65 on those days that its below 25. Do you suggest I set it at 65 or 66 at night?
Thanks

Mark Hunt

Yup


Ideally we like to see heat emitters on outside walls, but they will work on interior walls too.

As for your radiant heat idea, that depends. If you have a lot of glass and relatively little exposed floor area, the radiant may not cut it on very cold days.

Here is where a heat loss will help you out.

In the mean time, lower the aqua-stat setting on your boiler back to 180. No sense in heating the water any hotter than that. Your paying for those extra btu's to heat it to 190 and not really getting added benefit from it.

Hope this helps.

Mark H

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"