Baseboard Heat

steve617

Why does the sound of baseboard heat change when the circulating water gets hot? Is it due to pressure increase on the pump?

psb75

Can you be more specific about "the sound". Give some descriptive words about the sound changes and be more specific about the timing of the circulator, the boiler start and the specific type of baseboard (fin tube or cast iron).

steve617

Fin tube baseboard. Sounds like a whirling sound probably from pump when boiler starts up, but gets quieter when the hot water starts circulating.

psb75

Thanks. Metal sounds link "tinkling/crinkling/ticking" are heat-expansion. "Gurgling and whirling" water sounds are usually air or bubbles in the system. The bubbles/air "gather" in resting places when the water isn't moving, then they scatter and spread out when the circulator starts and make noise. Check the status of your air elimination devices and the "health" of your expansion tank. Check your system pressure on the gauge when it is running and resting. Make sure there are no leaks on the system.

psb75

Corr: Metal sounds like….

steve617

thanks

hot_rod

An oversized pump can create hissing or whirling type noise

It could diminish as additional zones open up

Is this a newly developed sound? Has changed in the system?

HomerJSmith

The sound changes because the velocity increases due to the heating of the water. Hot water is less viscous than cold water so it flows easier, albeit, faster with the same pressure. This is why I adjust my balancing valves at operating temperature.

neilc

is your circ before or after the expansion tank?

pedmec

You sure it's related to the hot water? Do you have a Mod/con boiler? if you have a Mod/con the boiler the sound may be decreasing due to the water getting closer to the set point temperature so the ECM motor is slowing down in a effort to reduce the BTU input. You might be hearing the ECM motor slowing down. You really shouldn't be hearing water flowing thru your baseboard.

steve617

should you be able to hear the ecm motor? The previous pump was a 007 now I have a 007e. I now hear a whirling noise from baseboard closest to the pump.

pedmec

If you stop the flow (shut ball valve off) while its in a call for heat will the noise go away?

No. You should not hear any noise coming from a circulator regardless of size in the wet rotor class. They are basically whisper quite (But I will tell you my hearing is not good so someone with good hearing might hear the motor hum).

pecmsg

I hear the tick of the circular starting and the flow of the water but it’s only very early in the morning when there are no other noises to drown it out

hot_rod

you may be hearing a relay pull in to start the pump?

EdTheHeaterMan

Why does the sound of baseboard heat change when the circulating water gets hot? Is it due to pressure increase on the pump?

I can help myself on this one…

It is because the little man inside the pipes (he is related to that guy in the refrigerator that turns on the light when you open the door), that little man inside the pipes had a different set of drum sticks that he uses to beat on the inside of the pipes when the water is cold than the ones he uses when the water is hot. I have seen him and was able to ask him, That is how I know!!!

pedmec

@EdTheHeaterMan do you do comedy shows on weekends? lol

EdTheHeaterMan

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1895025#Comment_1895025

When ever there is a stage that can accomodate my wheelchair, You will find me doing Open Mike Night!

The last one was Tuesday at the county morgue. Every autopsy was on someone named Mike.

hot_rod

If you "hear" water flowing through copper tube, it is usually air entrained in the water, or excessive velocity, a hissing sound.

Clicking could be relays in and out or thermal expansion of the copper tube against the wood framing. Holes through the floor are where tube can rub and tick as the copper grows in length.