For general questions on heating in your home.
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Why isn't water coming out of a radiator in my freshly pressurized system?
I live in an old Victorian with three stories, plus a basement and an attic. I tried to bleed the radiators in preparation for turning the heat on, but was unable to get any water out of the radiators ...
4
votes
1answer
1k views
Replace two-wire thermostat
I'm replacing an old mercury thermostat with a digital one.
The new unit has 7-8 connections (labeled w1,wh,r1,rh,y,c, etc.) and a bunch of instructions about how to connect similarly labeled ...
4
votes
2answers
832 views
Is it possible to buy just the fins or the copper pipe with fins for baseboard radiator?
I have a project to build and I want to use finned tubing (like in baseboard radiators) but I am unable to find the tubing without buying the enclosure as well.
(This is for a hobby project - I want ...
4
votes
1answer
438 views
How can I prevent my HVAC condensate drain line from freezing?
Last night, my heat (forced air) suddenly stopped. Today, a plumber figured out that my heater is 90% efficient, produces lots of condensate, and the drain line had frozen. We went outside and saw ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
How do I change the time on a Potterton EP 3000 clock?
I turned the power off and when I turned it back on again, the clock of my Potterton EP3000 was reset, and now the heating comes on at the wrong time. I dont have a manual for it, so I was wondering ...
4
votes
2answers
590 views
Where should I install a Pellet Stove to supplement my boiler?
We are purchasing a pellet stove insert for our single floor 1200 sq. ft. home. We are doing this to reduce our dependency on oil (hot water boiler), which we use to heat the house with baseboard hot ...
4
votes
1answer
222 views
Why do my downstairs radiators run colder than upstairs?
Our combi boiler in the loft (less than 3 years old Vaillant EcoTec) is heating the upstairs radiators nicely, but the downstairs ones are lukewarm to cold.
I have opened all the radiator valves ...
3
votes
1answer
594 views
Why is there green stuff on my heater pipe?
No, really the baseboard heat is made of copper and is constructed of a series of pipes with fins. they look like heat sinks, or dissipation helpers. Well, was cleaning the carpet by the baseboard ...
3
votes
2answers
143 views
What to do about furnace that's drawing gas odors into the room instead of heat?
I have a gas furnace. It was heating up the place fine and worked for years until the other day.
All of a sudden it started drawing air that smelled like strong gas odors into the room rather than ...
3
votes
5answers
4k views
Why does my furnace need frequent power resets?
I have a NOMA Programmable thermostat attached to my furnace.
The set point is usually around 21 degrees, and the room temperature is reading around 17 degrees. The furnace is not coming on.
...
3
votes
2answers
1k views
Can I use a stairwell ceiling fan to save energy?
We have a two story house, with a small ceiling fan mounted above the main stairway.
The house has separate thermostats for heating/cooling the upstairs and downstairs.
During the day, we spend 90% ...
3
votes
3answers
3k views
Cheapest way to heat and cool a converted garage?
I'm converting my two car garage into a home theater and was seeking some advice on the cheapest way to heat, cool, and dehumidify the room. Here are some details:
Garage was once a model home ...
3
votes
3answers
102 views
Geothermal Resources
I am very interested in learning more about Geothermal solutions for my house.
What are the best resources for learning about and planning a Geothermal systems for a residential house?
Also, does ...
3
votes
4answers
2k views
Can I connect an outdoor wood stove to my current HVAC system?
How to install a wood stove as an auxiliary heat source? (Main is electric furnace with forced air)
I've read this question, it doesn't really answer what I need to know. What I would like to do is ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Convert line voltage heating system to use low voltage thermostats
I currently have two line voltage ceiling radiant heating systems in my condo each with their own DPST thermostat. I'd like to use low voltage thermostats such as the nest. I found this ...
3
votes
3answers
295 views
Do home radiators waste water?
I received my second quarterly water bill and cannot believe it says I'm using 49,000 gallons of water each quarter. That's over 500 gals per day!
So I started thinking about average water usage per ...
3
votes
3answers
652 views
Can bio fuel ethanol used as a main heating source?
I recently discovered some heaters based on "bio fuel" (ethanol).
Many products seem to be decorative and often present a modern design.
Some ethanol burners can be used in empty fireplaces and can ...
3
votes
2answers
3k views
Why does the gas furnace blow cold air at the start of the heating cycle?
What does this problem sound like?
There is a 25 year old gas furnace in the house we rent.
(The guy that owns the place claims there is NO problem at all. He said the igniter is brand new and ...
3
votes
4answers
269 views
How does Underfloor Heating get the right temperature water via a Thermal Store?
I am considering my options for a renovation project which will require substantial changes to my central heating and domestic hot water system. I was considering going a thermal store with a biomass ...
3
votes
2answers
106 views
Does a humidifier cool the air?
I'm considering getting an evaporative humidifier for my super-dry Northeast house, but I'm wondering if the evaporation cools off the room and is going to add to my heating bill.
It seems like ...
3
votes
1answer
462 views
Do coal stoves lead to creosote buildup/chimney fire risk?
One of the reasons we put in a coal stove as an alternative heat source was because several sources said coal stoves don't have creosote buildup, reducing the risk of chimney fire.
The instructions ...
3
votes
2answers
646 views
Increase wood fireplace efficiency
We have a large fireplace and plenty of free or cheap wood and love having fires for warmth and entertainment. An open fireplace is not an ideal source of heat, but I wanted to know if there's a ...
3
votes
1answer
213 views
Is it bad/unusual for an oil burner to turn off then immediately back on?
We have an oil-fired hydronic heating system. The boiler is approximately 30-40 years old, and the system was checked and cleaned at the start of this winter. When the burner is running, you can hear ...
3
votes
1answer
113 views
How come the temperature is sometimes not maintained?
First let me come right out and say that I am a software guy and this seems like a hardware problem, so I already feel out of my league. That said, here's the deal:
Background:
I have two-zone "hot ...
3
votes
1answer
357 views
Hissing vent on a steam heating pipe
In the kitchen of an apartment I've just moved in there's a vertical pipe running floor to ceiling, not connected to any radiator nearby. It gets hot, so I assume it is a part of steam heating system. ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
What is a propane burner with multiple torches called?
If you watch Mythbusters, you'll notice they have a propane burner with a bunch of nozzles at different angles. What is this called? I would like to make or purchase one for melting metal (in a ...
3
votes
1answer
243 views
How long does radiant heat in a concrete floor last?
I am looking to purchase a home built in 1950 that has radiant heat with copper pipes inside the concrete slab foundation. The home has been vacant for a little while now too, not sure if that ...
3
votes
2answers
316 views
How can I create a radiant heat system for melting ice on wood steps?
Our house has wood stairs to descend from the front porch. On maybe 15 - 30 days out of the year a layer of ice forms on the stairs, posing a safety hazard. Even with our familiarity with the issue ...
3
votes
3answers
353 views
How many “zones” should my underfloor heating system have?
We're putting underfloor heating in our new apartment. On top will be a wooden floor for most of the apartment, stone/tiles in bathrooms and probably also in part of kitchen.
The constructor said ...
3
votes
1answer
158 views
Where can I find resources on Gas Furnace manufacturers
We are going to replace a 30 year old residential gas furnace. We have estimates for furnaces from Rheem, Trane and Bryant. This is a rental, so we aren't going for the 95% with tax rebate but ...
3
votes
1answer
1k views
Should the sight glass of a steam boiler always be within the recommended range? Or only when firing?
We just had a new steam boiler installed and it is working great; all radiators are hot when the heat turns on etc.
One thing I noticed though is that the site glass for the water level reads too ...
3
votes
0answers
126 views
What type of rubber pipe is used for this particular installation of hydronic radiant in-floor heating, and is it reliable?
I'm looking at a home built in the 80's with hydronic radiant in-floor heating embedded in concrete slab. I've never seen this type of hydronic tubing before. I'm pretty sure that the attached photo ...
3
votes
1answer
146 views
Why does my boiler keep shutting down and reigniting after a minute?
My central heating comes on via the timer and runs for about 30 minutes, then it shuts down for a minute, runs for 2 minutes, shuts down for a minute, runs for 2 minutes. This is a constant thing ...
2
votes
2answers
585 views
Why are my radiators not heating up?
The boiler is on; the pipe near the boiler is hot, but the pipes furthest away are cold. What does that mean, and how can I fix it?
2
votes
3answers
8k views
Why does my heating system only blow cold air?
My heating system only blows out cold air, not hot. I've left it on for a good 15 minutes to see if it will warm up, and I get nothing but cold air. I've even put it on Auto and waited some more, ...
2
votes
1answer
89 views
What is the cost of one percent efficiency on an oil heater?
We've now had about 7 contractors come to our house and give us estimates for replacing a) our oil heater (system from the early 1980's, estimated at around 65% effeciency), and b) our central air ...
2
votes
2answers
289 views
Why do I run out of hot water after 5 min?
I have a gas water heater and recently found that I do not get more than 5min of hot water. Previously I would be able to take a half hour shower. I see no leaks around water heater. It also seems ...
2
votes
2answers
551 views
What is a good way to attach vent covers to ceiling vents in my basement?
I recently bought a house and the basement was newly renovated.
The furnace and air exchangers have vents all along the ceiling of the basement suite. However the vent covers have a tendency to fall ...
2
votes
2answers
526 views
Using a solar system with a condensing boiler for the central heating instead of tap-water?
According to the manual of my AWB ThermoMaster 2HR 28.02WT Condensing boiler, it is compatible with a pre-heating solar system for tap-water only. It even has extra facilities to ensure that the ...
2
votes
2answers
150 views
How can I stop heat loss due to an uninsulated porch?
I have an enclosed porch with very little insulation, it is typically very cold in the winter. However, there is a radiator in the enclosed porch. I have a gas boiler heating system in the house.
...
2
votes
4answers
164 views
How can I measure the r-value of a wall?
What is a reproducible test to measure the r-value of an exterior wall? Or even a specific spot on a specific wall? It needn't produce an absolutely certain result, but a good estimate with known ...
2
votes
1answer
844 views
Does adding metal plate/foil behind radiators increases their heat distribution?
There is this theory that if you put a metallic foil behind radiators, will make them distribute heat better in the house rather than heating the wall next to them.
Is this true, are there any ...
2
votes
2answers
647 views
Alternative to electric heaters in bedrooms?
I would like this system serviceable, cost effective & relatively maintenance free.
I just don't know the best way to go about it. I am sick of using a oil filled heater over winter.
My original ...
2
votes
1answer
1k views
What tape should I use to seal leaks in forced air heating system?
I have some of this duct tape Nashua 557 Premium Grade Flex Duct Tape. Is this the correct stuff to use to seal leaks in a forced air heating system, or is there something else I should be using?
...
2
votes
2answers
189 views
Check heating pipes for thermal leaks
I would like to check basic thermal leaks of the house heating system (and perhaps the house thermal insulation as well). As the professional services or equipment (thermocamera) are very expensive, I ...
2
votes
2answers
5k views
DIY pool heater - best methods? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How can I efficiently heat a pool?
I have an in-ground pool at around 20,000 gallons and I live in the northeast (Maine). My pool gets direct sunlight for about half ...
2
votes
1answer
76 views
Is there a way to make a thermostat based heating system more accurate through either adding probes or hacking?
In my Brooklyn apartment, heated via steam radiator, my thermostat is in the unheated hallway between all the rooms. The temperature it reads is often different, than both the rooms with heaters and ...
2
votes
1answer
86 views
What is a condensate pump on a boiler heating system?
I have searched all the online glossaries and dictionaries related to home systems and cannot find it anywhere.
2
votes
1answer
129 views
What to look for in a new water radiator?
The water radiators I have under each window are 50 years old, and I would like some new ones. They measure HxLxD 50x100x20 cm.
The new ones I would like should be as thin as possible.
I live in an ...
2
votes
1answer
505 views
How can I prevent heat loss through heater/air conditioner wall units?
HVAC experts out there...
I live in Wisconsin and it gets mighty cold here! I have a condo with 2 wall units that are used for both air conditioning and heat. My heat bill in the cold winter months ...
