Radiator mean temperature

[denso13]

At what boiler flow temperatures is best to balance at please?

Are you having problems with your heating?

 

[Johnytuono]

Are you having heating issues or does the house generally heat up ok?

With all rads balanced to 12c delta I'm still only getting around 5c at the boiler, so I'm trying to justify the point in balancing.

 

[Johnytuono]

Agree with this, there are far too many variables to start worrying about precise temperatures.

If the rads are all heating ok then, if you feel a bit cold turn the heating up a bit and if you feel hot then turn it down.

Measuring individual rooms to a tenth of a degree is pointless, IMHO.

Although I thought the point in the delta (12c for instance) was a means of ensuring the flow rate was 'about right' rather than just temperature

 

[Johnytuono]

Are you having problems with your heating?

I'm having problems with gas usage so trying to get my best bang for buck. What I have found is that there's so much conflicting views (even from gas engineers).

 

[denso13]

With all rads balanced to 12c delta I'm still only getting around 5c at the boiler, so I'm trying to justify the point in balancing.

No point if the heating is working. Is the house heating up ok, all rads, and warm enough?

 

[Johnytuono]

No point if the heating is working. Is the house heating up ok, all rads, and warm enough?

Well I could put the boiler on 80c and open all valves and say the heating is working and all rooms are hot but that isn't the point is it? Would you be happy if an engineer gave you that advice? Just turn everything up as all things are working?

 

[denso13]

No it isn't but that wasn't really the point of the question.

The point is that if the house is heating satisfactorily, will no cold rads, then you are on a hiding to nothing trying to find the magic sweets spot of balancing.

You've been trying for three years, it just isn't worth it.

 

[denso13]

Well I could put the boiler on 80c and open all valves and say the heating is working and all rooms are hot but that isn't the point is it? Would you be happy if an engineer gave you that advice? Just turn everything up as all things are working?

Then the heating will turn off quicker than running it lower for longer. Same difference (roughly).

A 2kw kettle takes longer to boil water than a 3kw one, but takes longer. Same power used, same cost.

 

[Johnytuono]

No it isn't but that wasn't really the point of the question.

The point is that if the house is heating satisfactorily, will no cold rads, then you are on a hiding to nothing trying to find the magic sweets spot of balancing.

You've been trying for three years, it just isn't worth it.

Tbh I'm beginning to agree with you

 

[danfre]

Balance the rads for around 20 degree difference. Boiler probably set about 65 degrees.
Boiler should condense for maximum efficiency

 

[Johnytuono]

Balance the rads for around 20 degree difference. Boiler probably set about 65 degrees.
Boiler should condense for maximum efficiency

@denso13 and then this sets me all back again

 

[Johntheo5]

With all rads balanced to 12c delta I'm still only getting around 5c at the boiler, so I'm trying to justify the point in balancing.

If all your rooms are heating OK then the temperature I would concentrate on is the rad(s) return temperatures because this is the one that determines the amount of condensing which is reflected in your running costs.
Re your query of the mean rad temperature then if you take a number of readings across the rad at its mid point and average them, then yes, that will give a reasonably good indication of the mean temperature, using the ones in my post, I get a mean temperature of, (64+57+61+60+60)/5, 60.4C and using the far simpler calc of (flowtemp+returntemp)/2, (64+58)/2, 61.0C, not a whole lot of difference.