TRV's

Dave Palmer_3

anyway to tell which side is supply or return on hot water radiators? Can't see pipes in the basement,going to the second floor,plastered ceiling in basement.Customer wants to zone the second floor so I thought TRV's would be idea for this,any ideas? Hate to put it backwards,Thanks Dave Palmer

Mark Hunt

Turn on the system


and see which side gets hot first.

Hope that helps!

Mark H

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Dave Palmer_3

that

would be great but the boiler is gone. They pulled it,then told me they wanted it zoned,ugh. thanks Dave

Mark Hunt

Hmmmmmmm


How about a smoke test?

Or disconnect the rads and try pressurizing the supply main with air?

Mark H

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Steamhead

Dave, are those rads

connected with one pipe going in the top and the other in the bottom? If so, the top is the supply- or if it's not, the rad won't heat properly. Ask me how I know that.

If theyre connected with both pipes coming in the bottom, the end opposite the air bleeder is most likely the supply.

If you're not sure, pressurize the supply main as Mark said. You don't need much- a blow-dryer will do. Shut off the valves to the first-floor rads when doing this.

I wouldn't put a TRV in the bathroom. This room needs to run at full temperature to reduce the moisture that lingers after a shower. If the room is too cool, mold can accumulate.

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Mark J Strawcutter

bleeder and supply

mine are bottom-bottom and the bleeder is on the supply side. Isn't the only thing done nonstandard - part of the charm of an older home :-)

Mark

Mr. Bill

TRV

If you can use a rad vlve with double unions it will easy to change direction in case you guessed wrong.