LaforzaLand
New Member
I am trying to understand what is wrong with my boiler system as heat is not circulating through the system. This has professionals in my area stumped (which I can't believe). I am in Chicago and the temps outside have been in the single-digits for a few weeks now.
I have an older American Standard boiler with a B/G 1/12 HP pump. The boiler is located in the basement of my home. 3/4" copper piping has been run from the basement (underground) to an external de-attached garage. In the garage there is a supply manifold that feeds the copper tubing in the concrete slab and a return manifold that sends the "water" back to the boiler.
Here's what I know...
1. The boiler appears to functioning as expected to produce heat. The pressure/temp combo gauge on the side of the boiler reads 210 degrees (approx). When that temp goes down, the boiler turns on until the temp reaches 210 again and then the boiler cycles off.
2. The pressure shown on pressure/temp combo gauge on the side of the boiler reaches 10-11 only when the boiler is running and then slowly returns back to zero after the boiler cycles off.
3. The copper pipes within 1 foot of the boiler are always very warm. However, the supply pipe feeding the garage is luke-warm unless the boiler is running. When the boiler is running, the supply pipe is very hot... too hot to touch. That pipe cools down after the boiler cycles off.
4. The B/G 1/12 HP motor and coupler were professionally replaced a few days ago. The motor runs at all times and NEVER turns off unless I physically turn off the power to the motor. The old-school mercury dial thermostat in the garage is set to the lowest setting.
5. The supply manifold (in the garage) never gets warm or hot, and obviously neither does the return manifold.
6. I crack open the valve that is (12") above each manifold, and do not hear any air escaping nor is there any water that comes out of the valves.
Question 1: If the pump motor is running at all times and the impeller is continually spinning, wouldn't the system pressure (on the boiler gauge) be at level higher than zero? Or, is that gauge only for the boiler itself and not the closed loop system?
Question 2: If the supply copper just happens to be frozen between the house and garage, wouldn't that cause an increase in system pressure and cause the circulation pump motor to shut off (pressure safety switch)?
I am looking for guidance to help me better understand why the distribution manifolds are not receiving heated water. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!
I have an older American Standard boiler with a B/G 1/12 HP pump. The boiler is located in the basement of my home. 3/4" copper piping has been run from the basement (underground) to an external de-attached garage. In the garage there is a supply manifold that feeds the copper tubing in the concrete slab and a return manifold that sends the "water" back to the boiler.
Here's what I know...
1. The boiler appears to functioning as expected to produce heat. The pressure/temp combo gauge on the side of the boiler reads 210 degrees (approx). When that temp goes down, the boiler turns on until the temp reaches 210 again and then the boiler cycles off.
2. The pressure shown on pressure/temp combo gauge on the side of the boiler reaches 10-11 only when the boiler is running and then slowly returns back to zero after the boiler cycles off.
3. The copper pipes within 1 foot of the boiler are always very warm. However, the supply pipe feeding the garage is luke-warm unless the boiler is running. When the boiler is running, the supply pipe is very hot... too hot to touch. That pipe cools down after the boiler cycles off.
4. The B/G 1/12 HP motor and coupler were professionally replaced a few days ago. The motor runs at all times and NEVER turns off unless I physically turn off the power to the motor. The old-school mercury dial thermostat in the garage is set to the lowest setting.
5. The supply manifold (in the garage) never gets warm or hot, and obviously neither does the return manifold.
6. I crack open the valve that is (12") above each manifold, and do not hear any air escaping nor is there any water that comes out of the valves.
Question 1: If the pump motor is running at all times and the impeller is continually spinning, wouldn't the system pressure (on the boiler gauge) be at level higher than zero? Or, is that gauge only for the boiler itself and not the closed loop system?
Question 2: If the supply copper just happens to be frozen between the house and garage, wouldn't that cause an increase in system pressure and cause the circulation pump motor to shut off (pressure safety switch)?
I am looking for guidance to help me better understand why the distribution manifolds are not receiving heated water. Any help would be very much appreciated. Thanks in advance!