Balancing CH question ?!

[rob588]

Hi,

Ive recently moved into a new house and needed to rebalance the radiators in the house as some were cold. Having never done this before I assumed the idea was to get all the radiators at an equal temperature. Firstly I opened all TRV's and lock shields fully, I then used a laser thermometer and measured the actual temperature of the top/center of each radiator. I then slowly closed down the lock shields on all 'hotter' radiators until they were all of a similar temperature. I now have a system that heats up equally with all radiators reaching a max temp of around 75 degrees across the house.

Having read this site and many other I now realise I should have taken the temperatures of the flow/return pipe of each radiator and adjusted accordingly!!

My question is does the method i used achieve the same outcome or have I totally wasted my time??

Many thanks

Rob.

 

[fuzzy]

must have taken for ever! also, if you have a condensing boiler you need to know the return temp

 

[rob588]

Fuzzy,

To be honest, it didnt take that long with the laser thermometer, just turned dwn the lock shields on the 'hot' radiators first. Do you think I've 'lost out' by using this method ?

I do have got a condensing boiler, what should I be checking to ensure I'm maximising the efficency?

Any guidance appreciated.

Rob.

 

[fuzzy]

Do you feel you have lost out? strange choice of words, i wouldnt consider anything loosing out, it either works or it doesnt

A return temp off 55 degrees C to ensure your boiler condenses

 

[rob588]

Fuzzy,

Sorry, this is all new to me !!

I guess what I meant was, why do experienced plumbers not 'balance' in the way I did? Have I missed something that could effect efficency for example?

How do I check return temp on the boiler, if its not 55 how do I adjust??

Thanks

Rob.

 

[fuzzy]

well the easiest way is to turn down the stat on the boiler to reduce the flow temp, problem is if your rads are not sized correctly then it will not warm the room. in the majority of cases rads are well oversized. you should look to have a flow temp of about 66 and get a 11/12 degree drop across the rad

 

[rob588]

How do I amend temps if they do not fall within tolerance? Do you see any benefit in balancing radiators the correct way?

 

[fuzzy]

using the known method has the advantage of gaining correct 10/12 degree drop against each one. if you get the flow temp correct start shutting down each ls until you reach the correct fall

 

[rob588]

Im sort of lost now, any chance of a step by step ??!!

 

[fuzzy]

[DLMURL="http://www.diyfixit.co.uk/central-heating/balancing-a-central-heating-system.html"]Balancing a central heating system | central-heating | Diy Fix It[/DLMURL]

hows this?