air removal

Mike Anderson

I'm in a new home (my 2nd winter here) with a hot water baseboard heating system. The whole system is about 30-35 years old. It is a single zone closed loop system with a steel compression tank in the ceiling above the boiler. Last winter I had to have the pump replaced, and the plumber told me that it may have died because of air in the water lines (the pump was relatively new looking). Since the very first time I turned the heat on I have heard the water sloshing through the pipes and baseboards. Even the plumbers that have done work on it haven't been able to totally remove the air. The only air removal device is a Taco Hy-Vent (automatic air vent) that I recently installed to replace an old B&G air vent. It mounts to an elbow on top of a 3 foot vertical pipe that feeds directly out of the boiler and up to the house (2nd floor). Since installing this air vent, when the boiler first comes on I don't hear the water (or air) right away. But, I begin hearing bubbles travelling around the baseboards when the water temp. in the boiler reaches about 170-180. I have a few questions:
1)Is the temperature too high, therefore causing the water to bubble?
2)Does an automatic air vent work if it is mounted like mine, or does it need to be installed above an in-line air separator?
and
3)Does air in the loop put extra strain on the pump causing it to die more quickly?

Thanks for any input.
--Mike

Einsiedler

Mike, where is the circulator positioned in this system? (in relation to boiler, expansion tank, and fill valve location)

EIN

Mike Anderson

The circulator is on the return side of the loop between the fill valve and the boiler (actually right next to the boiler inlet). The expansion tank is on the send side of the loop, between the Taco air vent and the piping that leads to the upstairs.
--mike

Chris Reak

For air elimination, I would go from the boiler outlet, to an air scoop or spirovent, then the pump, then to the pipe going upstairs. The air eliminators work more efficient when the water is traveling through them at a slower rate, hence the reason to install the eliminators between the boiler output and the pump.

Thanks
REAK

Someone may explain that better, it has been a heck of a day.

John White

air elimination

I would certainly recommend intalling a taco Vortech. Includes the vent. good luck. John White