Boiler Pressure?
#1
02-09-05, 10:27 AM
Boiler Pressure?
Hiya. I've been having a problem keeping the pressure up in my boiler. It's a 2 year old Dunkirk boiler that replaced one about 30 years old. Whenever I increase the pressure it slowly drops back down (over a couple of days) to 20 or so. I have no signs of leaks anywhwere that I can find.
When it was installed there was, and still is, a pressure relief valve on the water feed line. When I increase the pressure to over 40 or so this valve will start to drip water. I'm suspecting that this may be my problem. There is a pressure relief valve on the boiler itself so I'm wondering if this valve is unneccesary. Most of the house is heated OK but my sons room which is at the farthest point from the boiler, always has a cold radiator. I have also gotten some horrible gas bills lately (over $600.00 this month
) and I am theorizing that, without the correct pressure the boiler is working more and using more gas to keep up the heat. I do have an older house that is good sized and in need of new widows but, for a new boiler it seems to be getting out of hand. Any thoughts or suggestions?
When it was installed there was, and still is, a pressure relief valve on the water feed line. When I increase the pressure to over 40 or so this valve will start to drip water. I'm suspecting that this may be my problem. There is a pressure relief valve on the boiler itself so I'm wondering if this valve is unneccesary. Most of the house is heated OK but my sons room which is at the farthest point from the boiler, always has a cold radiator. I have also gotten some horrible gas bills lately (over $600.00 this month
) and I am theorizing that, without the correct pressure the boiler is working more and using more gas to keep up the heat. I do have an older house that is good sized and in need of new widows but, for a new boiler it seems to be getting out of hand. Any thoughts or suggestions?
#2
02-09-05, 11:12 AM
Now I take it that this is a hot water boiler. So first how high is the home or do you have 2 story home. Even with a 2 story home it should only take about 18 PSI for it. that PRV you have on the boiler should go off at 30 PSI .is the expansion tank ok and drained down or do you have a small bladder tank there???
Is all the air out of it do you get water at the bleeder on his R/D there?
Post back with more info here in the same post and some one can help you.
ED
my sons room which is at the farthest point from the boiler, always has a cold radiator.
Post back with more info here in the same post and some one can help you.
ED
#3
02-09-05, 12:27 PM
Hot water boiler with radiators on the first floor and baseboard on the second. Two zones. .It's a ranch with a finished attic converted into two bedrooms. Total sq upstairs and down approx 1800. The expansion take has been ok but I will check it again. And I bleed the radiators every fall when I fire up the boiler.
#4
02-09-05, 02:20 PM
About 18psi should do it then.Like I said with the pump off bleed the top floor till you get water out of it what ever psi it takes to get the water to come out up there is what you have to have.
ED
ED
#5
02-09-05, 03:12 PM
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There is no need for anywhere near 40 psi in the system. Thats why your relief valve is getting exercise. Drop the pressure back like Ed says and if you need some kind of balancing valves to direct the flow where it is needed, you will have to get them installed. Boiler pressure has no effect on circulation. The circulating pump moves the water. I suspect you have other issues that may (or may not) be related to the boiler replacement.
Ken
Ken
