Burnham Hydronic Heating System

[thecomp]

:mad: I have a Burnham Hydronic Heating system and Superstore hot water tank for my 2000 sq. ft. insulated (except for kitchen) Center Entrance Colonial (1927) house. It has four zones (basement) and is connected with 1/2 PEX tubing. All the zones work fine except when the outside temperature is below 10F. Here is the problem:

After turning the heat up for the morning warm-up (55F), the house never recovers above 64F on the first floor, open stairway (All other floors seem OK). The circulater pumps are on, the system is 22psi, the water temp is 180F., and the first floor return temperature takes a while to get hot (one cast iron radiator on first floor and one kick space heater and no monofolds).

How do I tell the difference between needing more perimeter heat, or if there is something wrong with the existing loop?

I hired a plumbing contractor because I'm a commmercial guy with no time and little experience with this type of heat. Any and all thoughts welcome!

[iwannahelp]

Is your zone valve working properly or is there air in system?
Have you checked the temp. output with an infrared thermometer at radiator?
Is your basement set at a low temp. all day long?

[comfortdoc]

Heat loss calcs compared to output of installed radiation will answer your questions.

I'm thinking you have low water flow. You need an experienced hydronic heat tech to survey the system.

[thecomp]

Yes, the basement is set at 55 F, and thermostat is turned up when he house is occupied. :rolleyes: I think the next step is a hydronic guy because the problem isn't in air or the pump.

[propmanage]

:cool: Are you mixing baseboard fin tube with cast iron all in one loop or zone? Are you saying you can heat the house evenly with out any problem if the out side temperature is above 10 degrees?
Does the problem area have tile floors?

First check the supply and return temperatures of each zone.
Then take the room temperatures of each zone.
What temperature are you leaving it at night and how long is it up while you try to warm it in the day.

[mgould2]

Hot water type heating tends to require longer time to recover from a set-back. Also try only 5° set-back or less.