What IS the correct way to bleed radiators??

Sweet_Lew

Experts,

I have a really basic hot water boiler\radiator setup. I was told to bleed the radiators in the off season and during the middle of winter. So I was told by my service tech to bleed the radiators right after the boiler shuts off and the radiators are hot (and the pressure is up in the system). I have also heard from my General Contractor's HVAC guy to bleed the system while it's running\on.



What is the right way?



Also, after bleeding, do I need to add more water to the system?



Thanks,



Lew

mor

piping

Once done, if you have an air eliminator and the boiler system is piped correctly it should take care of itself. Add water? there is usually a feeder that regulates itself. [you may find it closed though]. MB

Sweet_Lew

Thanks

Thanks for the reply. Is there a way to check the water level in the boiler? I'll peep the autofill valve and the main water valve to the system to make sure they are on.

mor

low water level

speaking of, if you don't have a low water cut out, I strongly suggest to have one installed, could save a boiler ...and perhaps even a life.

Sweet_Lew

Checked out the system

I checked out the system last night. All valves are open. 

As for a low level cutout, not sure where I look for that. Where would it be installed?

mor

LWCO

Low water cut off. You may find it screwed into the piping higher than the boiler. It would have wires coming from it [thin or Higher voltage] and usually an LED light. popular names are Hydrolevel, Mc Donald miler.

Sweet_Lew

HMMMMMMMMM

Don't think I have one of those. Let me try to get the system working better first before I start fiddling with it. Ever since I replaced the old mercury bulb t-stat with a digital one, the system has been working\running like crap and not heating the house as well. At first I thought my circulator pump was going out, but it's super quiet when it's on (yes, it's running), but the rads are not getting as hot. I picked up another t-stat with a heat swing\anticipator feature which should help. If that doesn't, then I'm putting the old t-stat back in..