Water Heating System Noise
We upgraded our heating system a few months ago from oil steam to gas water system. We have been noticing lately that whenever our heating system starts.. you will can hear the water gushing (like pic) through the pipes in the baseboards..its very audible. Is this normal? I know nothing about heating system but just…
We upgraded our heating system a few months ago from oil steam to gas water system. We have been noticing lately that whenever our heating system starts.. you will can hear the water gushing (like pic) through the pipes in the baseboards..its very audible. Is this normal? I know nothing about heating system but just assume it would be more quiet.
JohnHancock,
A good hydraulic separator costs about $1,000. I don’t necessarily recommend retro fitting one to an existing system, it’s more something to pipe a new boiler/system around.
Most of my larger residential hydronic systems include one of these. It makes the boiler and pumps last longer and run more efficiently for the next 25 years. However, it’s the first thing I take out of the equation when someone needs me to lower my price to match a competitor’s proposal.
There are much cheaper devices for removing air, but that’s all they’ll do and eventually they all either stop working or leak. The separator offers many other benefits.
Pdt, check out the Triangle Tube Prestige Solo boiler and the Weil-McLain Ultra Series 3.
Watch out for how these units need to be vented.
Wow MP that is some really good advice on the heating system. Thanks a lot and we will definitely mention the hydraulic separator to our plumber. Now sorry one last question do you have a favorite good hydronic system? You are absolutely correct about the cost of radiant heating….my neighbor said the radiant stuff robs these brownstones off character….economic $$ character that is 🙂
MP, what does that kinda thing cost? I’ve gor this sloshing sound in my 2 fam hot water system. The guys who put the cheap baseboard heaters in didn’t put bleed valves in.
Is it better to install these or go for the Caleffi hydraulic separator?
Pierre de taille,
There are several ways to deal with entrained air in a heating system. My favorite is to install something called a hydraulic separator. Large residences with circulating hot water heating systems are well served by these units. See here:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatewayplumbing/4177844928/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatewayplumbing/4177860168/
As for radiant, *everybody* thinks they want it until they see the price. Go with radiant panel radiators instead. Get rid of your steam if you have the opportunity and the resources to install a good* hot water (hydronic) system.
*a not-so-good hydronic system is not an improvement over any steam system.
bleed all rads, and if your system is set p for it, power purge the zone making noise
Hey MP, on that note is there a way to prevent the air-locking? Also we are about to start a renovation but not sure which kind of heating to go for. What are your recommendations for a 19th century brownstone? Steam vs Water vs Radiant? Thanks.
It’s common, but not “normal”. You’ve got air trapped in your system and you need to get rid of it. It’s not only noisy, it’s robbing you of efficiency and heat output.