Cutting in a Zone for upstairs

herb_4

zoning the upsatirs with zonevalves and a zone control like this taco http://www.houseneeds.com/shop/HeatingProducts/HydronicHeating/hydronicelectricalparts/tacozonevalvecontroller.asp would be very easy to use and i believe there are remote thermostats you can use that require no wiring to make it even easier

Jason_33

Adding a Zone

Ok, I was already to ditch my old Utica boiler and install a nice efficient oil boiler, but now with $4.00 oil I wont be wasting money on a new boiler that I wont be able to feed come next winter. So here is my problem I have Cast Iron radiators, 3 radiators serving the upstairs of my house which is an apartment. I will be burning wood in a wood stove to keep my first floor warm, I just need to be able to keep upstairs from freezing. The only theromstat is on the first floor.
How is the best way to do this, get a new controller for the boiler with 2 zones and go with zone valves? If so which kind on controller do you recommend.
I want to do this a cheaply as possible since I believe that oil heat is going the way of the dodo.

Thanks, Jason

ChasMan

Cheapest way

You dont need a zone valve controler at all, just a thermostat will do. You will need a valve. One thing that happens when you drop the temp upstairs is a big chimney effect in the stairway. In my house, I close all the doors to all the rooms upstairs to minimize the air currents. Works ok. Of course when you want to use the upstairs you have to plan ahead. I think your right about oil. It went the way of the dodo long ago. It persists in areas that have no gas. Like where I live. Im told the ground is too rocky to make it viable.