Boiler zone valves are used as a way of separating different zones in the heating system. This makes it possible to direct water around all of the radiators or just some of them. There are a number of different types of boiler zone systems which can give you a lot of control over your heating.
Full Answer
How to set the boiler safety valve?
- Use gagging tool to prevent simultaneous lifting of valves at set pressure
- Remove the caps and keep the valve spindle on valve gagged, set the other valve first.
- Keep the compression nut screwed down,on the valve to be set, till the previous marks.
- Raise steam slowly and bring to set pressure
What is a zone valve?
Zone valve is a type of valve that is used to regulate how much water flows through a closed heating or cooling system. Generally such a system will be divided into zones, covering different parts of your home, to make the system more efficient and economical.
What is a heating zone valve?
A zone valve is used to control the flow of water or steam in a hydronic heating system. Zone valves usually feature a setting that allows the valve to be opened manually. This can be used to help troubleshoot the heating system and, if necessary, provide temporary heat. How does a central heating zone valve work? Central heating with zone valves.
What is zone control valve?
Zone Control Valve is a system designed to separate the area in case of maintenance and to get the indication of fire zone on a combination of Butterfly valve, Flow Switch, Pressure Gauge and Test & Drain Valves.
Explanation of Zone Valves on Heating Boilers - Controlling Hot Water Heat
Our photo at left shows a Honeywell (TM) zone valve installation.Heating water piping in a building, particularly where hot water baseboard heat is...
Zone Valve Defects Checklist
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Banging Heating Zone Valve: Backwards Zone Valves
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5 Simple Zone Valve Diagnostic Steps
1. Mechanically-stuck zone valve motors. If your zone valve has a manual override lever you can test the valve to see if it will open and shut. (Ou...
Boiler Component & Heating Zone Valve Life Affected by Boiler Water Chemistry
Watch out: for boiler water chemical conditions that could contribute to zone valve failure. These include highly-corrosive water, improper pH, and...
Zone Valves on Indirect-Fired Domestic Hot Water Heaters
Indirect fired hot water heaters, in some designs, use a heating coil located in the bottom of the hot water tank to heat the domestic hot water (u...
Heating Zone Valves: Normally-Closed vs Normally-Open Designs & Applications
Dennis B. Hoff said: (2/3/3014)We have a hot water boiler with 7 normally open Honeywell zone valves. They are mounted on the hot side of the boile...
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Use the "Click to Show or Hide FAQs" link just above to see recently-posted questions, comments, replies, try the search box just below, or if you...
What is zone valve?
Zone valves installed on the hot side or boiler -out side of the heating piping loop, exposing the valve to higher and more stressful temperatures. Zone valve installed backwards: the valve must be installed so that the arrow on the valve body matches the direction of flow of the hot water.
What does it mean when a zone valve covers off?
Zone valve with covers off - may indicate overheating and jamming
What does a clogged relief valve mean?
A clogged relief valve means that the heating equipment is unsafe to operate, risking a BLEVE. See BLEVE EXPLOSIONS for details. If your heating system is giving a loud BANG when the zone valves open or close (and circulator starts or stops) take a look at the location of the zone valves.
How many valves does a Honeywell boiler have?
We have a hot water boiler with 7 normally open Honeywell zone valves. They are mounted on the hot side of the boiler. We have problems with the valve motors quitting (after about a year) and have to be replaced.
Why is my zone valve backwards?
The zone valve (installed backwards) may have trouble closing against the force of water being pushed or pulled by the circulator pump - a likely problem since in a zone valve system typically one circulator serves multiple zones (and zone valves) A flow restriction if you install the valve backwards.
How to know if a zone valve is open?
You can know that the valve is open if hot water is felt in the pipe on the output side of the zone valve. Zone valves overloading their power transformer: powering too many zone valves from a single low voltage transformer can damage both the zone valves themselves as well as the transformer.
Why does my zone valve make a humming noise?
But a humming sound may mean that the valve's motor is jamming (needs replacement) OR that a nearby low voltage transformer is humming and will need replacement soon.
How to zone a hot water boiler?
Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone . The boiler piping loop is separated using zone valves on a manifold type system with each zone originating at the manifold. The manifold is piped directly to the boiler.
How does a zone valve work?
On a call for heat, the thermostat contacts close completing the circuit to the zone valve and energizing a small motor in the zone valve. This motor opens the valve. As the valve opens an end switch in the zone valve closes. This energizes the hot water loop circulator pump via a relay. This causes the water to circulate to the zone where the thermostat is calling for heat. Once the thermostat is satisfied the thermostat contacts open and the motor closes the zone valve. This opens the end switch contacts in the zone valve and de-energizes the hot water loop circulator pump.
How does zoning a hot water system reduce energy costs?
Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone.
How to save money on boiler zoning?
Finally, to save money by reducing boiler operating costs and energy use installing a good zoning system is the way to go. Initial installation costs will be higher however over time you can recoup that initial cost of installing these zoning systems by reducing boiler operating time and energy use. Instead of having one central thermostat for the whole system and heating the entire structure you can choose to heat only those spaces that are properly zoned thereby saving you money in energy use.
How to match a transformer for multiple zones?
You also need to do the match for the VA rating of the transformer for multiple zones. Find the VA rating for the transformer and then count all the loads you have on that transformer. Then it’s simple math adding those VA rating load s together. Never exceed the VA rating of the transformer. Furthermore, transformers are cheap. Upsize to the next available size or a size that easily accommodates all the VA rating s on the loads.
Why install a zone valve on the return side of a loop?
There advantages for installing on the return side of the loop. One is the return side of the loop has a lower temperature, therefore, the zone valve will be subject to less heat. This likely prolong the life of the valve.
Where to install zone valve?
Zone valves are typically installed on the return side of the hot water loop no matter the type of loop you have. There advantages for installing on the return side of the loop. One is the return side of the loop has a lower temperature, therefore, the zone valve will be subject to less heat. This likely prolong the life of the valve. If you ask 20 plumbers or boiler technicians you would likely get different reasons for the installation location. Furthermore, installing on the supply side, as long as the valve is rated for the head pressure, will prevent ghost flow into the supply of other zone loops.
What is boiler zone valve?
Boiler zone valves are used as a way of separating different zones in the heating system. This makes it possible to direct water around all of the radiators or just some of them. There are a number of different types of boiler zone systems which can give you a lot of control over your heating. Boiler zone valves are fully automatic ...
Where are zone valves located?
Locate the zone valves in your boiler room. They are normally found very close to the boiler itself. They should be labeled, which will make identifying them very easy.
How to find out if zone valve is faulty?
To find out which zone valve this is ,you can turn all of the thermostats up to full all around your house. This should direct hot water all the way around your house, which means that all the valves should be open. Check the valves to make sure that they are all open, and if one is shut, that's your faulty valve.
Can a zone valve be removed from a pipe?
The zone valve will be bolted onto the pipe. When it's safe to do so, the zone valve can simply be unbolted and removed from the line of pipe. Be careful when doing this because the valve can stay hot for some time, even when the boiler is shut off.
What is zone valve?from doityourself.com
Zone valve is a type of valve that is used to regulate how much water flows through a closed heating or cooling system. Generally such a system will be divided into zones, covering different parts of your home, to make the system more efficient and economical. Thus, if your house has a main ground floor with the bedrooms situated on the second floor, each of the floors representing a separate zone, you can make your system provide heat only to the ground floor during the day and just to the second floor during the night (the unsupplied floor being let to cool down). This regulated distribution of heat is possible through the zone valves, which are mounted to the piping for each zone and can shut down or turn on the heat to that zone.
What does it mean when a zone valve is taken off?from doityourself.com
Dismounting the valve cover helps it cool down. If your zone valve has its cover taken off, this may indicate that the valve overheats sooner than normal;
What happens when you apply power to a valve?from doityourself.com
Thus, if you apply power to the "open valve" terminal, you will make the motor operate as long as the zone valve is open, whereas if you apply power to the "closed valve" point, you will cause the motor to run until the valve is closed.
Why do circulators cost more than zone valves?from en.wikipedia.org
Circulator pumps cost more than zone valves. Higher power consumption. Operating circulators draw more power any time the zone is actively heating. Zone valves, by comparison, draw little power at any time and many designs only draw power while in transition from open to close or vice versa.
Why do we have multiple heating zones?from en.wikipedia.org
In the interest of improving efficiency and occupant comfort, such systems are commonly divided up into multiple zones. For example, in a house, the main floor may be served by one heating zone while the upstairs bedrooms are served by another. In this way, the heat can be directed principally to the main floor during the day and principally to the bedrooms at night, allowing the unoccupied areas to cool down.
Is a zone valve safe?from en.wikipedia.org
Zone valves operated by electric timing motors aren' t "fail safe" (failing to the "open" condition). No inherent redundancy for the pump. A zone-valved system is dependent upon a single circulator pump. If it fails, the system becomes completely inoperable.
Can a circulator pump have multiple zones?from en.wikipedia.org
Multiple zones can be implemented using either multiple, individually controlled circulator pumps or a single pump and multiple zone valves. Each approach has advantages and disadvantages.
How to zone a hot water boiler?from highperformancehvac.com
Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone . The boiler piping loop is separated using zone valves on a manifold type system with each zone originating at the manifold. The manifold is piped directly to the boiler.
How does a zone valve work?from inspectapedia.com
On a call for heat, the thermostat contacts close completing the circuit to the zone valve and energizing a small motor in the zone valve. This motor opens the valve. As the valve opens an end switch in the zone valve closes. This energizes the hot water loop circulator pump via a relay. This causes the water to circulate to the zone where the thermostat is calling for heat. Once the thermostat is satisfied the thermostat contacts open and the motor closes the zone valve. This opens the end switch contacts in the zone valve and de-energizes the hot water loop circulator pump.
How does zoning a hot water system reduce energy costs?from highperformancehvac.com
Zoning a hot water boiler system can be done by using these zone valves and separate thermostats for each zone.
How to save money on boiler zoning?from highperformancehvac.com
Finally, to save money by reducing boiler operating costs and energy use installing a good zoning system is the way to go. Initial installation costs will be higher however over time you can recoup that initial cost of installing these zoning systems by reducing boiler operating time and energy use. Instead of having one central thermostat for the whole system and heating the entire structure you can choose to heat only those spaces that are properly zoned thereby saving you money in energy use.
What is the yellow wire on a zone valve?from inspectapedia.com
Yellow wire connections at the zone valve: the pair of yellow wires on a zone valve are the zone valve motor actuator control.# N#One yellow wire connects to the C terminal on the low voltage transform er.#N#The second yellow wire connects to a "heat on" wire from the room thermostat.#N#How does this little zone valvce yellow wire circuit work?#N#On a traditional two-wire room thermosatat one wire, usually the red one, connects to the R terminal (24VAC live) on the low voltage transformer. The second thermostat wire, usually white, connects to the yellow zone valve motor actuator wire.#N#The second yellow zone valve wire normally connects to the C terminal (Common) on the low voltage transformer.#N#When the thermostat calls for heat it's acting as a low-voltage (24VAC) "on" switch that takes voltage from the low voltage transformer, through the thermostat, to the zone valve actuator motor. The second wire from the zone valve back to the low voltage transformer completes the circvuit.
How to match a transformer for multiple zones?from highperformancehvac.com
You also need to do the match for the VA rating of the transformer for multiple zones. Find the VA rating for the transformer and then count all the loads you have on that transformer. Then it’s simple math adding those VA rating load s together. Never exceed the VA rating of the transformer. Furthermore, transformers are cheap. Upsize to the next available size or a size that easily accommodates all the VA rating s on the loads.
When used to operate a zone valve, the thermostat wires are connected to the zone valve terminals, not to?from inspectapedia.com
When used to operate a zone valve the thermostat wires are connected to the zone valve terminals, not to a primary control on the heating boiler.
Why does my zone valve not work?
This can be caused by a malfunctioning part on the valve itself or by a faulty thermostat or a faulty connection between the two . You may need to troubleshoot the problem from a few different angles before you can determine the exact cause of the problem. Keep in mind that too much air in your heating system can also cause a loss of efficiency to the point that the zones will no longer heat properly.
Do zone valves need a fuse?
The zone valve requires an electrical connection in order to operate properly so be sure to check for a blown fuse before getting too deep into the replacement process. Also, because of the electrical work associated with this type of repair, I recommend calling a trained service technician to replace the faulty zone valve unless you are absolutely clear about what you are doing. The last thing that you want is to do any more damage to your heating system than you already have.
What is zone valve?
Zone valves can be used with a wide range of hydronic heating systems, including baseboards, radiators, heat pumps, and radiant applications. Leading brands include Honeywell, Taco, White-Rodgers, and Erie.
How does a zoned heating system work?
How Zoned Heating Works. The basic component of a zoned heating system is a zone valve, which controls the flow of water in a hydronic heating system. Inside the valve, an actuator opens and closes the valve based on the thermostat setting for that zone.
What Is Zoned Heating?
A standard, non-zoned heating system controls the temperature of the entire house as a whole. A zoned heating system, in contrast, allows homeowners to control the temperature of each room or zone individually, thereby maximizing comfort and minimizing energy costs. A zoned system can be adjusted for numerous factors, including room usage, personal preferences, and environmental conditions. Zoned systems help homeowners use their heating systems more effectively by distributing heat where and when it is needed.
What are the benefits of a zoned home?
“The advantages of a properly zoned home include savings on heating costs, and greater control and comfort throughout the home ,” points out Daniel O’Brian, a technical expert from online retailer SupplyHouse.com. “If they are individually zoned, unoccupied or rarely used spaces do not have to be heated, and areas of the home that get colder than others can be adjusted directly for greater comfort. Furthermore, programmable thermostats can increase savings by dialing back heating usage when residents are out of the home or sleeping.”
How much does zoning save on heating and cooling?
Zoning the heating system can save homeowners up to 30 percent on a typical heating and cooling bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Can a thermostat be used to zone a home?
There are also a wide variety of thermostats available, including programmable versions, to control a zoned heating system. “Any thermostat can be used to zone a home, but not all thermostats are for the same application,” O’Brian notes. “Voltages, the heating/cooling system layout, and features on different thermostats can be geared more towards one or another application.”
Is the main floor of a house a zoned heating system?
O’Brian explains that a typical zoned heating system treats the main floor of a house as one heating zone and the upstairs bedroom area as a separate heating zone. This allows heat to be directed to the main floor during the daytime and to the upstairs bedrooms at night, allowing unoccupied areas of the home to cool down when vacant.
How to know if a zone valve is faulty?from thespruce.com
The zone valve is faulty : Check the zone valve for proper operation. The water pipe should be hot up to and beyond the zone valve. If the valve is faulty or stuck, lines will be hot up to the valve but will cool off slightly beyond the valve. Have a faulty valve replaced by a repair professional.
Why won't my zone valve close?from doityourself.com
Troubleshooting a zone valve that won't close is important to ensure the proper operation of your heating unit. If a zone valve is not working correctly it can increase your heating cost, decrease the life of your heating unit, and not heat the space properly.
What is a hydronic boiler?from thespruce.com
Back to Top. Modern boiler systems for home heating are hydronic systems, meaning the boiler heats water to circulate through the house. Although they are closely related to older steam boiler systems, hydronic systems are made of pipes that carry hot water that radiates heat through either steel radiators or baseboard connectors, ...
What causes water to leak in boiler?from thespruce.com
Water Leaks Around the Boiler. If you find a leak around your boiler, then you may have one of the following: Faulty circulator (pump): Most repairs to the circulator require a service technician. Leaking circulator: It may be possible to replace the pump seal.
How much pressure should a boiler water level be?from thespruce.com
The boiler's automatic filling system, controlled by the pressure-reducing valve, should maintain the proper water level at 12 to 15 psi of pressure.
Why isn't my boiler producing heat?from thespruce.com
If your boiler isn't producing any heat at all, check for these common causes: The boiler doesn't have power: The circuit breaker or fuse controlling the furnace may have tripped or blown. Reset the tripped circuit breaker or replace a blown fuse.
What is a pressure reducing valve?from thespruce.com
Pressure-reducing valve : Automatically maintains correct water level and pressure at about 12 to 15 pounds per square inch (psi) Air vent : Automatically purges unwanted air from the hydronic system. Pressure-relief valve: Safety valve that automatically opens if the pressure gets too high inside the boiler.
Step 1 - Locating The Boiler Valves
- Locate the zone valves in your boiler room. They are normally found very close to the boiler itself. They should be labeled, which will make identifying them very easy.
Step 2 - Finding The Zone Valve
- If your zone valves aren't labeled, then you will need to find the one in question which is causing you problems. To find out which zone valve this is, you can turn all of the thermostats up to full all around your house. This should direct hot water all the way around your house, which means that all the valves should be open. Check the valves to make sure that they are all open, and if one is …
Step 3 - Temporary Fix
- If you're not able to fix the zone valve straight away then you can manually override the automatic zone valve so that you can get heat to wherever you want.
Step 4 - Shutting Off The Water and Boiler
- Shut off the water and boiler so that it's safe to work on the pipes. Make sure that the pipes you are working on are drained and not hot.
Step 5 - Removing The Zone Valve
- The zone valve will be bolted onto the pipe. When it's safe to do so, the zone valve can simply be unbolted and removed from the line of pipe. Be careful when doing this because the valve can stay hot for some time, even when the boiler is shut off. Use the screwdriver to remove the electrical connections from the zone valve motor.
Step 6 - Replacing The Zone Valve
- The zone valve will then need to be replaced with the new replacement valve. Ensure that this valve is the correct type so that it can be fitted easily into your plumbing circuits without needing to make the gap any bigger. Connect the electrical connections to the motor again.
Step 7 - Testing
- Now all you need to do is test that the zone valve is working correctly. Turn up the heat in that area and check that the zone valve opens correctly.