Help with balancing rads

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I'm having trouble identifying the radiators closest to the boiler. We have 6 upstairs and I can't run around the rooms in time to see which heat up first. Any suggestions?
 
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Thanks for the humour.

All I could think of was to let the system cool down, then sit next to each rad and time how long it took to get hot, then repeat with each rad invidually. Only it seems very laborious, so was wondering if there was a quicker/easier method.

is there perhaps a standard layout of pipework which would indicate which order they heat up? Or is every system different?
 
I would say there usually a logical approach, but that sometimes gets blown away by some amazingly bad workmanship. Depending on a couple of things will depend on what rads heat up first. If all valves are fully open and its been plumbed as a two pipe system, then depending if its a system/open vented or combi, if system go from the pump and work away, if combi work away from the boiler.

Bit of trial and error, failing that hire a thermal imaging camera and your be set.
 
Agree with earlier posts - usually the one nearest the pump gets it first, but you need to be sure. I bought an infra-red thermomemter from Maplins for very little money and it's brill: point it at the rad and you get the temp in a nanosecond. Suggest you get one, turn the heating on for, say, 10 mins, turn off, then go round 'shooting' all the rads and taking notes. As quickly as poss, obvs.
 
I wouldn't be too worried about accurately identifying the exact order radiators are connected to the system. That only tells you how an ideal system should perform, not how your particular system will perform.

Balancing is a re-iterative process anyway, with each 'lap' around the system leading to closer control of radiator temperatures. The second and subsequent 'laps' eliminate any gross errors in your assumed system configuration or unaccountable flow restrictions in the system. Just keep going around the system until you are happy with the performance (or bored with the process!).
 
I bought an infra-red thermomemter from Maplins for very little money and it's brill: point it at the rad and you get the temp in a nanosecond.
Yes, they are quite handy, but ...

... you need to be very careful where you are pointing them. I've found by experience :rolleyes: that you only need to move a small distance in from the valve and the temperature can change quite significantly.
 

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