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distribution heat loss solution

Ron Schroeder_3
Ron Schroeder_3 Member Posts: 254
in THE MAIN WALL
since the house was built. You say you have an old home with a seven year old boiler. I am going to assume that the boiler has been exchanged sometime after the original occupancy permit was issued. Do you know what additional changes were made to your home warming system at the time the boiler was exchanged?

Comments

  • Russ_4
    Russ_4 Member Posts: 2
    eliminating distribution heat loss

    I have an old home (30x30') with 7 yr old NEW YORKER oil/hot water furnace at midpoint of back basement wall ,one zone for 2 floors & attic having 2 1/2" feed & return pipes going to both sides (13' each) then about 25' to front of hse.At the hsefrnt 3/4" pipes go up to 2 radiators on 1st flr liv area & 2 go to 2nd flr bdrms.There is abt 22' on 1 side btwn last rad branchs & end branchs,& abt 16' on the other btwn last rad branchs & end brnchs. A LOT OF HT LOSS plus some of the early brnchs get little ht cuz the hot wtr goes with the least resistance passing the early brnchs. I am considering cutting out these 22& 16' sections ,ending them rt after the last early brnchs thereby elim. ht loss ,imprv early brnch flow & also add zone valves to 2 back bdrms coming off the retained dist. pipes.The attic brnchs would be elim. with this as it is seldom used so I'll put an electric moteltype unit up thr for use as nd. NOW ,for the 4 orphan rads left at the hse frnt!! I'm toying with using a sml electric ht wtr heater for them & zone valves on the bdrms with minimum dist. pipe loss;poss. even just gravity fed, OR How about just a piece of tubing with a 6000 watt element for that heating. WOULD GREATLY APPRECIATE YOUR THOUGHTS & INPUT!!
  • Russ_4
    Russ_4 Member Posts: 2


    to:fred m. I bot the house 7 yrs ago & had the new furnace installed. no other changes were made. house is about 90 yrs old.
  • jeff_51
    jeff_51 Member Posts: 545
    is this system pumped or still gravity?

    heat loss from distribution piping if it is in a controlled space is not heat loss, you are still heating the space with it, sounds at this stage like a balancing problem. What has been done about insulation? the most cost effective thing you can do after a tune up and system balancing by a good pro. It may take a little time and a couple of trips back by the same guy, but should be worth it. ( he has to get to know that system)
  • jeff_51
    jeff_51 Member Posts: 545
    hey russ

    sorry if I sound anal, but you have a boiler, not a furnace. Can make a big diff when you get on the phone to a service co.
  • bigugh_4
    bigugh_4 Member Posts: 406
    your system

    Balance may be the whole thing. Those old systems had valves that had a bypass hole in them, and as such the air could be vented while the radiator was shut off. now they are old enough that they (the valves) may not work. they may be off even though you think differently. Next, is an air bound system. however if you get water out, then the air is not in. Next, as has been said, Insulation is where warmth is held in, in the pipe or in the house. More money can be saved by insulating than any where else. Good luck
    Oh and your listed e-m address is no good, not in yahoo mail or hotmail. tried for two days to help privately!
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