can't get heat upstairs

Weezbo

turn the other t stats down, and only run That one zone. If it doesnt heat up the return pipe Up stairs then bump up the pressure by 5 lbs or so...if that doesnt get it you will need to purge it with a purge pump or bump the heat up and pressure...the first method is alot easier to check though.

DBCooper

How do I reset system to get heat upstairs

I have a 4 zone oil fired boiler system with new expansion tank and good running boiler but I can't get the hot water to heat the upstairs.
Heat is coming out of boiler out through zone valve
Heat is returning to boiler after a couple of cycles
Thermostat is working
Buddies claim there is air lock but I bleed the system until water comes out ( upstairs bleed valve)

Any suggestions?

Guy_6

Pressure

Is there sufficient pressure in the system? You would typically need about 12 PSI to allow the water to properly flow to that altitude.

DBCooper

Thanks for the tips


Return Pipe gets hot, Circulator is running. Im bleeding the system in the cold zone. ( hot zones had air too.)

System running at 16 lbs.

When is the best time to bleed -- with zone valve open or closed?

Scooter Libby

If the upstairs needs more head (which is different from static pressure---basically, if the pipes to upstairs are narrower and/or much longer) then water won't go upstairs, it'll take the short route via the downstairs radiators. If that is the case you'll need a separate pump for the upstairs zone(s); sharing a pump via zone valves won't do it.

Have you done the test suggested by weezbo: turn off all the other zones (turn down the thermostats), turn up the thermostat for the zone where you're having a problem, then see if hot water goes upstairs.

If air is the problem, try bleeding with the zone valve open and pump running (and the other zones off as above). Use a bucket and take out several gallons of water.

DBCooper

have closed off all other valves and run the system. ( the circulator is running almost constantly.)

When bleeding the one loop that is cool, air stops coming out -- or at least I can't hear it. I close the valve and reopen a few moments later. I get a small amount of air.

Does it make sense that there could be too little water in the sysem?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Does it make sense that there could be too little water in the sysem?

Most certainly! After you get air you should get water in a quite forceful stream. If you get no water then there is not enough pressure in the system. Not enough pressure means that the water can't be lifted to the top and completely fill the system.

The pump does NOTHING to lift the water--it only circulates the water. That's why a pump in a closed heating system is more appropriately called a "circulator".

Your fill pressure (called the static pressure) is the ONLY thing with the power to lift the water to the top of the system! Residential systems are typically filled to about 11 psi when cool. As they warm, the pressure will increase slightly--if it rises considerably then you have a problem with the compression tank.

If the system looses pressure, you MUST address and repair the problem!!

Ken D.

Upstairs

Be sure the hot water is not short circuiting somewhere. I have run into it where the piping was not done right and the water took the path of least resistance and by passed the intended zone. Not often, but does happen.

Rich Lowenstein_3

Did you bleed out several gallons of water, as I suggested?

Although it does sound like the problem is that your gauge is bad and there is not 16 lbs of pressure. There's not enough pressure to keep the water upstairs. Does the water spurt out when you bleed, or no?