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Peerless oil furnace pressure

aurora22
aurora22 Member Posts: 32
edited January 6 in Oil Heating
I have an older peerless oil furnace. This is also my water heater.  Furnace runs fine. Pipes are hot. 2 story home. Rads are not warm. Checking the pressure gauge. Water temp130. But no pressure less than 5. I don’t know what the red needle indicates.  How do I add water to raise pressure

Comments

  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,600
    Minor detail -- it's a boiler, not a furnace. Furnaces are for hot air.

    OK. Now if you look at all the piping around it, somewhere you will find a pipe which connects from the boiler -- or, more likely, one of its pipes -- to your domestic water. It should have a valve on it. In theory, that valve should maintain pressure in the system -- usually around 12 psi. If you can post a picture of it we can tell you how to manage it.

    You may have other problems, so a picture of the whole boiler and the piping around it would be nice, too.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    Please advise
  • STEVEusaPA
    STEVEusaPA Member Posts: 6,505
    advise.
    At least check all the ancient components to see if they even work.
    Your pressure gauge may not even be working properly.
    I’d recommend getting a tech out here to check your components and safeties, replace the prv valve and bring up to code. You’ll probably need a new water feed.
    I love the gauge but if it doesn’t work, leave it there and add another gauge.
    I recommend a tech because you’ll need one eventually, and without seeing rest of your system (especially the expansion tank and emitters), the tech can make sure the system is properly filled and purged, and show you how to add water if/when necessary as well as other things you can do and look out for.

    There was an error rendering this rich post.

  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    Ok understood. But for now is there a way to explain so I can have enough pressure to rise to 2nd story so I can get the radiator warm enough. If I open bleeders. I don’t get much air. The pipes are hot and the circulator pump is running
  • LRCCBJ
    LRCCBJ Member Posts: 303
    See where you have the tag for the "boiler feed valve" in your hand? Check to see if this valve is open. Fully counterclockwise. This is the first step.
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    Do I need to shut off boiler to kool off first?
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    No at least 1 whole turn
  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,298
    @aurora22

    Check the valves on the water line that connects your water feeder to the boiler. If the feeder is working correctly all those valves should be open. The valve with the red & white handle with the tag you are holding should be open. Then going towards the wall on the left side of the boiler you have your pressure reducing valve with the lever on top. Lift the lever and see if you here water go into the boiler.

    If the valve does not work you can fill the boiler by using a garden hose and a washing machine hose from a water supply valve (at your washing machine) and connect the other end to the drain n valve on your boiler. Bring the pressure up to 15 psi.

    If that does not work call for service.
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,600
    One additional thought: if the valve doesn't turn reasonably easily, don't. Call for service. It looks like those may not have been touched in a while, and the last thing you want is to create a serious leak...
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    Ok. Boiler is filling. Pressure Is rising. Just to be sure. I’m going by the outside reading of the top of the gauge
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    It appears to have built pressure showing 17 pounds. Do I need to bleed it off to 15 or less?
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    It appears to be still slowly climbing. Now just over 18. Just can’t say how accurate the gauge is. How and do I bleed off the excess pressure?
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,600
    Have you closed the valve letting water in? If not, do. If you have and it is still climbing... problem.

    17 is OK for the moment.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    I did close off the valve with the lever but I did not close the feeding valve. Appears to be at 19
  • Jamie Hall
    Jamie Hall Member Posts: 24,600
    close the feeding valve. Sounds as though the valve with the lever may be defective.
    Br. Jamie, osb
    Building superintendent/caretaker, 7200 sq. ft. historic house museum with dependencies in New England
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    Ok I want to thank the 3 experts that HELPED me and guided me to get the heat flowing again. Last nite my family slept is a warm and comfortable home. THANK YOU
    bburd
  • aurora22
    aurora22 Member Posts: 32
    My apologies. It was actually 4 gentleman that helped and guided me. AGAIN I APPRECIATED YOUR HELP AND KNOWLEDGE. THSNK YOU

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