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Home > Archive > Alternative Power sources > February 2006 > Home Heating Assessment
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Home Heating Assessment
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| I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at
home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back
to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c)
and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel
hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I
notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to
flush this out.
Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss.
The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I
already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my
property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that
the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally
tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that
they can use to determine problem areas??)
Any advice would be appreciated
Ross
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| GeekBoy 2006-02-23, 12:21 pm |
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"Ross" <teulawrosshence@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1140703070.207986.173220@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at
> home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back
> to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c)
> and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
>
> The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel
> hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I
> notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to
> flush this out.
>
> Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss.
> The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I
> already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my
> property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that
> the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
>
> Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally
> tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that
> they can use to determine problem areas??)
>
> Any advice would be appreciated
>
> Ross
Your local HVAC people should be trained in that area.
>
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| SQLit 2006-02-23, 12:21 pm |
|
"Ross" <teulawrosshence@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1140703070.207986.173220@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at
> home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back
> to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c)
> and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
>
> The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel
> hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I
> notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to
> flush this out.
>
> Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss.
> The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I
> already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my
> property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that
> the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
>
> Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally
> tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that
> they can use to determine problem areas??)
>
> Any advice would be appreciated
>
> Ross
Pretty dramatic difference in the temps reported. Who or what was corrected?
When ever a heating or cooling applicance is replaced the manual
calculations should be preformed. By the contractor.
Is the new boiler of the same BTU as the old one?
Is it extremely cold?
Let the contractor that installed it know that your unhappy and start
talking to them.
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| barry@sme-online.com 2006-02-23, 1:21 pm |
| Simple enough to get heated water to radiators- pump(s), valve(s),
water to sufficient altitude, fuel-disposal-unit, thermostats. If unit
is properly sized and adjusted, and you're not trying to heat the
county- windows open, etc.
You really should focus on cutting losses, IMHO. Leaks are prime
villains, and easiest to fix. Weather-stripping, removable caulk,
whatever. No house is too old for wall insulation, nowhere; proper
vapor-barrier on inside, with higher-permeability covering on the
outside. Some are more difficult to retrofit, but the payback period
continues to shrink.
J
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| I have had the original contractor back and he wasn't much help at all.
He didn't rework any calculations. Both boilers are 50btu's.
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| I already have double glazing. That's interesting that you say no house
is too old for cavity wall insulation. I suppose I'm really a bit
nervous about attracting condensation cos I haven't any at the moment
and not keen to start. That is why I want a professional to somehow
measure the amount of heat loss that is occurring through the walls
before I make that decision.
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| Ross
I would think that if your radiators are receiving water at 80'C and
returning water via the other pipe some 11'C cooler they are doing about the
best they can do. If your still cold when the heating has been on for a good
while (If your letting the fabric of the building go cold then the
heating will need to be on much longer before you feel comfortable) then
either you don't have enough radiators, the ones you have are too small or
you are letting far too much heat escape from your property.
Quick google search came up with a free on line energy savers report on the
British Gas web site www.house.co.uk
Hope this helps
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| GeekBoy 2006-02-23, 4:21 pm |
|
"Ross" <teulawrosshence@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1140715917.438178.100390@f14g2000cwb.googlegroups.com...
>I already have double glazing. That's interesting that you say no house
> is too old for cavity wall insulation. I suppose I'm really a bit
> nervous about attracting condensation cos I haven't any at the moment
> and not keen to start. That is why I want a professional to somehow
> measure the amount of heat loss that is occurring through the walls
> before I make that decision.
>
You go can to the local library. They might have an HVAC book there that
will show you a chart of BTU loss of different materials.
I beleive there is even software out there to help with all that.
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| Thanks - yes I've read the British Gas free on-line energy savers
report. I think that just tells you to fit cavity wall and loft
insulation, and calculates how much it will save you. If British Gas
had a system where their engineer visited and had instruments that
detected heat loss sources actually in the house, then I would be very
interested. I am also wary that some firms who would rather sell you
something than sort your problem out.
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| Ross
I can't see anyone doing that for you
Found you a useful site
http://www.skills4business.org.uk/E...g-Installers/29
scroll down to " boiler sizing workchart " to asses your own
property........change a few of the values and see what improvements you
could make.
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| Thanks Kev, it looks like you are probably right about not finding
anyone to that for me. That looks an interesting link - I'll download,
print and read at work tomorrow. Thanks for your trouble - much
appreciated.
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| Solar Flare 2006-02-23, 7:21 pm |
| Some have infrared cameras that can detect leak spots but I am not
sure if they only show "relative" quantities or are absolute
measurement capable.
"Ross" <teulawrosshence@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:1140703070.207986.173220@i39g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
> I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at
> home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton
back
> to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok
(80c)
> and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
>
> The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads
feel
> hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I
> notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to
> flush this out.
>
> Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss.
> The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation.
(I
> already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my
> property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that
> the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
>
> Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss,
generally
> tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that
> they can use to determine problem areas??)
>
> Any advice would be appreciated
>
> Ross
>
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| On of the reasons that finding a company that can do what you want is=20
going to be difficult is because it works out cheaper for all involved=20
for you to just go and insulate the walls & ceiling etc...
Ross a =E9crit :
> I have a boiler that is a year old, and I cannot get temperatures at
> home much above 18c (the old boiler was ok). I asked Potterton back
> to inspect the boiler. They tested the temperature, found it ok (80c)
> and said that I should keep it permanently on 'Max'.
>=20
> The rooms are still nowhere near warm enough, even though the rads feel=
> hot. I have a boilerman in next week to give the first service. I
> notice black sludge when bleeding so I am also going to ask him to
> flush this out.
>=20
> Problem is who do I contact to perform a survey on any heating loss.
> The energy companies are only interested in selling you insulation. (I
> already have loft insulation - not 10inches though - and I think my
> property is too old for cavity insulation (1920) also I believe that
> the cavity is there for a purpose ie to prevent condensation).
>=20
> Who should I contact to test for draughts, measure heat loss, generally=
> tell me what's wrong (I believe there is a thermal instrument that
> they can use to determine problem areas??)
>=20
> Any advice would be appreciated
>=20
> Ross
>=20
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