Running a water boiler with water supply off while away?

yhc

Good morning.  You have helped me troubleshoot my Embassy model 160 boiler.  Since it was last serviced a couple weeks ago, it’s been running well.  Thank you again, especially @kcopp and @109A_5. 

I have one unrelated question on the Embassy  boiler heating system.  Each zone is controlled with a thermostat.  Is it safe to leave the heating system running with water main supply to the house turned OFF for a few days to a week when I am away?  Or would there be enough evaporation loss in the system to lower the water pressure to negatively affect or shut off the boiler?

pecmsg

If water is needed, then there is a leak somewhere.
Why are you turning the water off?

STEAM DOCTOR

Is there a functioning low water cut off? You should probably be okay. Presumably there are no leaks because if they were you would know about it by now. There are those who always leave the water feed to the boiler off. Where are you located? If you are away, do you need heat?

Jamie Hall

I can't seem to find any information on that boiler, but if this is a hot water system there should be no problem at all, assuming the pressure has been holding steady and you have a low water cutoff.

If this is a steam boiler, then if you don't have two low water cutoffs, the lower manual reset, I couldn't recommend it.

109A_5

Hello @yhc,
Looks like it has a Low water (pressure) safety switch. If no leaks and maybe if the safety switch functionality is verified.



https://www.globalindustrial.com/site/images/Embassy/ONEX_Manual.pdf

jumper

What happened to flow switch?

yhc

Thank you all for the replies. 

I had Flo by Moen, smart water monitor and shut off system, installed a couple years ago.  At that time a plumber has suggested of either shutting off the well pump or the main line coming off of the well pump off when I am away IF I am concerned about possible freezing and flooding. 

I have never tried that as an option but wanted to know if it is safe to do so to have it as an option

And to answer Steam Doctor, the current outside temperature ranges from 20-40’F so yes I need to keep the heater/boiler on. 

yhc

jumper said:

What happened to flow switch?

Not sure what you mean, @jumper. 

hot_rod

A happy medium if you do not want a fill valve left on is to use a fill tank or expansion tank fill.
This way you still have a few gallons of fill if some rogue air purges out and pressure drops below the low water cut off pressure switch.

Mod cons commonly use a pressure switch as protection, a flow type or probe LWC can also be used.