I am a new homeowner. My home is heated by hot water radiators. They work fine, but they don't heat as well as the radiators in some other places I've lived. I bleed them on a semi-annual basis. Is there anything else I should do to service these radiators? Or should I call in a professional for service periodically? What is a professional likely to do?
Thanks.
2006-09-30 02:41:12 · 3 answers · asked by peterxsampson 1 in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Your central heating system requires servicing just like a car.
It sounds like your system requires a thorough flushing out and to be re filled and balanced so each radiator gives out the correct amount of heat for the size of each room. You will need to call in a heating engineer, not an ordinary plumber. A heating engineer will check the boiler as well as the radiators to make sure it's giving out the amount of heat that it was designed to.
2006-09-30 03:10:36 · answer #1 · answered by bubble 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How old is your house, and what type of hot water radiators are in use? Are they the old cast iron types, or small baseboard heaters? Does it operate with a circulating pump or convection only?
I flush the water from my heaters and furnace at the start of each heating season. This often introduces some air bubbles into the system and I can hear them flowing through the heaters. There may be an automatic bleeding valve near the top of your furnace to remove any air. On my furnace it is a small plastic screw above the expansion tank. Ensure the screw is loose to allow air to escape.
Have you checked the temperature settings on the furnace thermostats? Mine are backed off to 175F/155F. Having the water at a lower temperature takes longer to heat the house, but I think reduces overall heating expense.
Get to know how the water flows through the system and understand how it is supposed to work. From there you are in a better position to decide whether someone should come in for a look. You may want to consider an annual checkup / cleaning of your furnace as well.
2006-09-30 03:40:38 · answer #2 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
YOU HAVE ANY HISSING NOISES THEN R/R POP OFF'S ARE USUALLY YOUR ONLY PROBLEM AND INSULATION COULD BE YOUR ANSWER HERE AS IN WARMER OTHER HOMES
IF SYSTEM IS QUIET THEN ALL IS OK
ASK THIS OLD HOUSE DOES SERIES ON THIS CONSTANTLY
2006-09-30 02:54:02 · answer #3 · answered by waltonwayaugusta 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋