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Zone Valves to stop Ghost Flow
Attached is my heating system layout. Boiler is a Teledyne JVT100NDI (133,000).
3 Circulating pumps (CP).
CP3 is for bypass to maintain return temp, BUT when CP3 runs, it draws heat through the entire system, even when a floor has no call for heat.
2 story older home. About 1800 sq ft split evenly between 2 stories. Mostly PEX piped. There about 200 linear feet of PEX running along the unheated basement ceiling for supply and return.
MY QUESTION: Can I just ADD 2 Zone valves , 1 above each zone circulator pump, which are on the return side to control flow and stop ghost flow caused by CP3?



3 Circulating pumps (CP).
CP3 is for bypass to maintain return temp, BUT when CP3 runs, it draws heat through the entire system, even when a floor has no call for heat.
2 story older home. About 1800 sq ft split evenly between 2 stories. Mostly PEX piped. There about 200 linear feet of PEX running along the unheated basement ceiling for supply and return.
MY QUESTION: Can I just ADD 2 Zone valves , 1 above each zone circulator pump, which are on the return side to control flow and stop ghost flow caused by CP3?



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Comments
Or use closely spaced Tees to create a proper p/s loop.
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
But I am curious. By “repiping”, would that mean repiping the primary loop with larger diameter pipe, like 1 1/4” and then use closely spaced tees for each of the 2 secondary loops (zones) and leaving all that piping the same, 3/4”?
Sorry but I am a curious type. Thanks in advance.
trainer for Caleffi NA
The magic is in hydronics, and hydronics is in me
You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
I was thinking what the gas boiler temperature was set at.
Unless the bypass pump is on a control sensing return temperature it really doesn't do much "protecting'
a three way thermostatic boiler return valve would be a better option, or a tekmar control to operate the bypass pump.
With a low mass, low volume boiler and if you have copper fin tube baseboard, a return protection piping may not be needed?
Laars shows piping it with a bypass piping with zone pumps, in the installation manual.. You might just pipe it without bypass pump and a valve to balance some bypass. That would solve the ghost flow as long as the pumps have checks at the discharge.
Primary secondary or a hydraulic separator would be the ideal piping.
trainer for Caleffi NA
The magic is in hydronics, and hydronics is in me
One is turned down going to the down stairs and the other up (open) going upstairs.
The ghosting only occurs when there is a call for heat downstairs. This causes heat also upstairs.
When the heat is called for upstairs, there is no ghosting downstairs.
Any thoughts?
The way it is currently piped, those checks may not be adequate to overcome all the pump delta P. You have pumps in series, doubling the head. To correct properly, get out then tubing cutter
How old is the boiler? has it been serviced regularly? Any sign of flame roll out near the burner?
Those copper fin HX need to be cleaned and checked, especially if you suspect cold operating conditions.
A CO detector would be a nice addition to the boiler room.
trainer for Caleffi NA
The magic is in hydronics, and hydronics is in me
A brand new 1" y strainer has pressure drop, which only goes up as it does its job.
A circulator with internal check is the best protection, it was built specifically for preventing ghost flow.
Actually a hydraulic sep would do a much better job of the 4 functions you need, dirt, air, hydraulic and magnetic separation.
And it can locate the expansion tank in a better spot.
Cleans up the piping connections also.
trainer for Caleffi NA
The magic is in hydronics, and hydronics is in me
trainer for Caleffi NA
The magic is in hydronics, and hydronics is in me