Mixing CI rads with copper bb

barbhphx

I've read many posts on this topic but still have questions. We have a hot water boiler that's about 25 years old. We had a company run copper bb radiators to our finished 3rd floor (its what they recommended ). They made it a separate zone using i think zone valves and a separate thermostat. Well the 1st day after they finished we woke up with no heat. ..they came back out and coincidentally our 1st floor thermostat died according to them. He also bled all the radiators and bled something on the boiler. I told him that i would replace the thermostat. After he left the 1st and 2nd floors shot up to 80 degrees while the 3rd floor still wouldn't get over 65 when set to 70.

I called back and he said it would take 24 hours to regulate, etc.
Once i replaced the thermostat, the temps downstairs went back to normal and the 3rd floor began to heat.

Now. ..the problem is that when the 3rd floor thermostat is increased, the 1st floor temps increase too! The 1st floor is set to 67 and it's 73! What is going on? I feel like they did a shotty job but i don't know what to check for. ..any suggestions?

Jamie Hall

It's probably a control problem -- and it does sound as though perhaps they may not have really set things up properly.

Try this test: let the whole system cool down (not hard in this weather!). Then turn up the first and second floor thermostat. The circulating pump for that part of the house should turn on (or its zone valve should open), and those radiators should warm up. The boiler should also turn on. On the other hand, the third floor radiators should not get warm. Now let it all cool off again -- and turn on only the third floor radiators. Again, the circulating pump for the third floor should turn on (or its zone valve open) and the baseboard should get hot -- but the first and second floor radiators should stay cool.

If this isn't happening, there is either a piping problem, or a control wiring problem (or both...).

If it's zone valves, as you mentioned, can you determine when they are open? The zone valve should respond only to the corresponding thermostat, but the pump and the boiler should come on when either (or both) zone valve is open.

barbhphx

I'll try this test tomorrow. Not sure if i can tell when the valves open but I'll look. ..I'll definitely know by what radiators heat up.

Thanks! I'll let you know the results.

Solid_Fuel_Man

You may have a bad zone valve which has been masked until now with a 3rd zone calling.

Jellis

A picture of your boiler setup would be good to help ID any setup problems that could cause this issue.

barbhphx

So my 3rd floor thermostat is turning on first floor radiators and a 2nd floor radiator. The company is saying its a thermostat issue..of course because my thermostat died and i replaced it instead of letting them touch it.

barbhphx

Boiler

barbhphx

Boiler

Ironman

It's a piping or control issue beyond the thermostat.

Can you post some pics of the boiler and its near piping, the controls, pumps and zone valves?

barbhphx

Where are the controls? Did you see the pics i just posted? Could you let me know where else you want pics?

Jamie Hall

If the third floor thermostat is turning on the first floor radiators, it's a wiring problem -- probably at the zone valves. Has nothing to do with the thermostat itself. Your friendly company either doesn't know how to fix it, or doesn't want to admit to a mistake. How handy are you at DIY electrics? We may be able to help you straighten in out.

Ironman

Yeah, wired wrong.

barbhphx

I'm pretty handy but i want them to fix it so the work is under warranty. .i don't want them blaming me for anything.

Jamie Hall

Considering that your friendly company doesn't seem to know how to wire up your system, that may be a bit difficult...

barbhphx

They are coming out tomorrow for their last chance to fix this. ..I'll keep you posted .

barbhphx

It was a faulty valve. .they fixed it today. Thanks for all of your help!