We have a large living room (move into the house about 18months ago) that never got overly warm. As part of a plan to address that we wanted to increase the heat being delivered. Bought and got fitted 2 radiators (4 column rads) that replaced the one large panel rad that was there. It allowed us to increase the BTU's by about 50%. We were aware and was concerned about whether the heat could reach the rads in a way that they could deliver, given that they are at the end of the pipe run and now 16 rads are on that run. The 15 before the extra one appeared to all be heating fine (bar a little sludge in the system - old system).
Combi boiler in situ and magnetic filter added at same time as the 2 new rads. One large 4 column rad (1400x600H) replaced the large panel one and a much smaller one (1000x300H) was added to the other end of the room under a window.
With the heating on for 2/3 hours the smaller one (I believe it's the last one on the run) got hot all over (worked as I expected) but the larger one barely heated beyond luke warm. I would describe it as luke warm along the top and sides and cold near the middle and at the bottom. Also noted that one of the pipes (think it's the return - has the lockshield on it) was always cold. Both pipes on the smaller one were hot like the rest of the house.
I wasn't sure if something was wrong with the rad/the install etc or if it just was a struggle given the amount of rads on the system being fed by the pipework as it got further from the boiler. (3 storey house and with a rad in the loft, rads are on 4 floors effectively).
I bled all rads (no air in any) and intended to spend some time on trying to balance the system. Just getting round to it now. I thought I would try the following first.
I closed all valves on all the rads in the house bar the large one (TRV at full and Lock fully open) that wasn't heating much. Heating on. Flow pipe (assuming anyhow - I don't have much knowledge really) was hot within seconds (other pipe - lockshield - remained cold). Rad was heating within a minute or so and 8-10 minutes later the rad was piping hot bar the centre bottom area. By around 13-15 mins even that area (which was always ice cold) was too hot too hold your hand on. The (ass.uming) return pipe was also hot after 10 mins or so and before now it was always cold even with the heating on for 2 hours
So - with limited knowledge - is it safe to assume all is well with that radiator - no faults and that this is definitely a balancing issue?. If so I am very happy to work away at balancing the system as best as possible to help that rad perform better. Am i expecting too much?
Sorry for such length - but I always feel it is best to provide as much as I know incase something is important that I'm unaware of. I very much appreciate the time anyone takes in reading and responding to this. I'm fairly competent in various other areas but heating and plumbing was always a stretch for me - even basic understanding of how it worked. I welcome any information, hints/tips, advice and reassurance.
Combi boiler in situ and magnetic filter added at same time as the 2 new rads. One large 4 column rad (1400x600H) replaced the large panel one and a much smaller one (1000x300H) was added to the other end of the room under a window.
With the heating on for 2/3 hours the smaller one (I believe it's the last one on the run) got hot all over (worked as I expected) but the larger one barely heated beyond luke warm. I would describe it as luke warm along the top and sides and cold near the middle and at the bottom. Also noted that one of the pipes (think it's the return - has the lockshield on it) was always cold. Both pipes on the smaller one were hot like the rest of the house.
I wasn't sure if something was wrong with the rad/the install etc or if it just was a struggle given the amount of rads on the system being fed by the pipework as it got further from the boiler. (3 storey house and with a rad in the loft, rads are on 4 floors effectively).
I bled all rads (no air in any) and intended to spend some time on trying to balance the system. Just getting round to it now. I thought I would try the following first.
I closed all valves on all the rads in the house bar the large one (TRV at full and Lock fully open) that wasn't heating much. Heating on. Flow pipe (assuming anyhow - I don't have much knowledge really) was hot within seconds (other pipe - lockshield - remained cold). Rad was heating within a minute or so and 8-10 minutes later the rad was piping hot bar the centre bottom area. By around 13-15 mins even that area (which was always ice cold) was too hot too hold your hand on. The (ass.uming) return pipe was also hot after 10 mins or so and before now it was always cold even with the heating on for 2 hours
So - with limited knowledge - is it safe to assume all is well with that radiator - no faults and that this is definitely a balancing issue?. If so I am very happy to work away at balancing the system as best as possible to help that rad perform better. Am i expecting too much?
Sorry for such length - but I always feel it is best to provide as much as I know incase something is important that I'm unaware of. I very much appreciate the time anyone takes in reading and responding to this. I'm fairly competent in various other areas but heating and plumbing was always a stretch for me - even basic understanding of how it worked. I welcome any information, hints/tips, advice and reassurance.
