Vertical radiator - noisier than traditional ones?

[^woody^]

I fitted a 1800mm vertical (oval bar) type radiator five months ago which now has become quite noisy - the sound of water being pumped through it.

Initially there was virtually no noise from it, although in a very quiet room, a very faint sound of the hot water being pumped through could be heard. The previous traditional double radiator had no noise from it at all. I thought this could be just due to the large span between the support brackets which caused a little bit of reverberation of the tubes, and perhaps normal.

Anyway, the noise has got more noticeable over the past few weeks to a level which can not be normal.

One other change I have made (which might correspond to the noise becoming louder) is that now several other radiators have smart TRVs which work on their own programme and settings - effectively each is it's own zone and can bring the boiler on. This means that now only part of the system will have the hot water being circulated due to several TRV’s being closed, whereas previously water would have been pumped through almost all the circuit.

This particular radiator will always have water being pumped through it when the boiler is on through, regardless of the other TRV’s being open or closed.

So, are vertical radiators noisier than the more traditional ones? If part of the system potentially being closed is the cause, how can this be overcome?

All radiators are bled and seem to be still in balance.

 

[baldykev]

HI
Most vertical rads must be plumbed the correct way around they have a baffle in side them, have you plumbed the flow to the correct side of the rad .It seems strange its making a noise now, but worth a look to see if flow is in correct end of rad.

 

[^woody^]

Apparently, this type does not have a baffle and can be fitted either way. It's something I questioned at the time, but it does heat up quickly

 

[Madrab]

Do you find you have to bleed your radiators more often than not? What type of boiler .... pump may be on too high a speed.

 

[dilalio]

As other rads close down and water is forced under greater pump pressure to this one tall rad, it’s likely the noise(s) you’re hearing are down to the acoustics of the rad design - if it is baffle-free... it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s another example of form over function... eventually the manufactures will address this as I have noticed a lot of designer rads are noisy and hearing them makes a lot of people need a pee

 

[^woody^]

Do you find you have to bleed your radiators more often than not? What type of boiler .... pump may be on too high a speed.

Ideal ISAR Combi. No often bleeding is needed.

It's just curious why this as just begun to occur.

 

[^woody^]

As other rads close down and water is forced under greater pump pressure to this one tall rad, it’s likely the noise(s) you’re hearing are down to the acoustics of the rad design - if it is baffle-free... it wouldn’t surprise me if it’s another example of form over function... eventually the manufactures will address this as I have noticed a lot of designer rads are noisy and hearing them makes a lot of people need a pee

That's what I was thinking. Yes this rad is probably one of the many cheaper Chinese made radiators that have flooded the market recently.

Heat output wise, it's great and the room is evenly hatred. But the issue is that I want to fit a couple of similar ones in the front room, but am concerned about any potential noise as it would be more of an issue.

 

[Hot&Cold]

several TRV’s being closed, whereas previously water would have been pumped through almost all the circuit.

Is there a system bypass ? if so it can be adjusted to try and alleviate some of your noise issue

Not a fan of them glorified towel warmers,unknown imports with no history. For vertical radiators which are actually radiators designed to work vertically,these Purmo radiators work well http://www.purmo.com/en/index.htm

good luck

 

[^woody^]

No system bypass.

I've had a quick mess with the radiator, and turning up the lockshield will remove the noise.

The problem is, depending on what number of other radiator TRVs are open at the time will determine how much to open up the locksheild valve and if the noise occurs or not - more noise when fewer of the other radiatos are on. I could potentially open the lockshield up more, but as this radiator is relativly near to the boiler, I would hope it would not prevent balancing of the ones further away.