Expansion tank in gravity feed heating system

Howard

Mama always said HVAC service is like a box of chocolates;you never know what you're going to get. Tank in the attic is often open to the atmosphere. Your system is probably closed.

Damian

Expansion tank in gravity feed system

I have a gravity feed hot water heating system in my home. The expansion tank appears to be in the basement just above the boiler. I thought the expansion tanks had to be above the highest radiator.

Damian

Expansion tank in gravity feed system

I have a gravity feed hot water heating system in my home. The expansion tank appears to be in the basement just above the boiler. I thought the expansion tanks had to be above the highest radiator.

Alan(CaliforniaRadiant)Forbes

Older

systems usually had the tanks in the attic and like Howard said, open to the atmosphere. When you filled the system, you'd turn off the valve when you heard water coming down the gutters.

New technology brought the tanks down into the boiler room and the systems became closed. At first, they were steels tanks; now, they have diaphragms for the air cushion.

Here's a picture off a tank on an old gravity systm; does it look like yours?



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Damian

Thanks for the help. I appreciate the info.

Damian

My tank is smaller but it looks very similiar. It has a discharge pipe that looks to be regulated by a valve and what appears to be another valve connected to the house water which I'm guessing is to add water when necessary. I would assume this happens automatically. There is no sight glass on the boiler to tell me the water level, jjust a temperature gauge and a pressure gauge. Thanks for the info. Damian