Some operational questions on my heating system

[budest]

Hey all,

OK so am living in a new build housing association house with oil heating and thought I'd ask here for some info rather than have to chase them who then have to chase the contractor who then have to chase the heating engineers....you get the picture.

When I use the oil to heat water, upstairs radiators get warm. Why is this?

 

[Whitespirit66]

You don't give any clues as to the boiler/system - combi or hot water stored in a cylinder?

If the latter, possibly reverse flow due to poor system design or faulty valve - but unlikely on new system. You need to contact whoever at the HA, as it's a fault that needs rectifying.

 

[budest]

Thanks for reply mate. It's water that's stored in a tank in hotpress upstairs. So this isn't a normal occurrence then?

 

[ALCPlumbing]

Has it always happened or has it just started to do it?

It's more than likely one of two things:

If it's a new problem then it's most likely the motorised valve. Depends if you have zone valves or a mid-position valve.

If it's always been that way, and this is more likely as it only effects upstairs radiators, it's a problem with way they have run the pipework. If there is a radiator tee'd into the return after the cylinder return then it can reverse flow up this heating pipe and radiators will get warm even when the heating is off.

Do you know if the upstairs radiator circuit is on a separate zone? If so then the motorised valve that controls the glow to that circuit may be faulty.

 

[Whitespirit66]

So this isn't a normal occurrence then?

No. Wastes energy, and will be uncomfortable in high summer.

You need to make a phone call.