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Author:
DMo (PA)
I have a three story townhouse with single zone hydronic baseboard heating. Currently, the hot water goes from the boiler to the third floor, then cycles down from there. The thermostat is on the first floor. The problem is that the second floor is always several degrees warmer than the first so people on different floors can't be simultaneously comfortable. My question is, is there any reason the hot water should go to the top of the house first, and any reason I shouldn't reverse the loop? My thinking is heat rises, so if the hottest water goes to the first floor, I might get more even temperature distribution.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
Have you tried closing dampers on the baseboard to limit third floor output?
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Author:
packy (MA)
my friend from MD is (as usual) correct.
try closing the rotating dampers in the rooms that are warmer.
this is a trial and error solution but it should work.
make sure there are no wall to wall carpets blocking the free flow of air from under the heaters.
have a look inside to make sure there is no cat or dog hair or any other kind of fluffy dust covering the fins.
NOW, to answer your question.. yes you can reverse the flow. how hard or how much work depends on how it is piped. i'm guessing it should be pretty simple.
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Author:
m & m (MD)
I've placed old socks on top of the element (end-to-end) in my own house to limit output in one overheated room. Works pretty good. No, it is not a fire risk but never try it on electric baseboard.
Edited 1 times.
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
the floor ('area') in the middle is too hot
imo reversing the flow will NOT fix the issue
+ system may have a 'reverse return' so playing with piping may be a disaster
several approaches,
adjust any dampers
adjust any balancing valves
CAREFULLY remove some fins from the too hot rooms
call in a pro for an on site evaluation
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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Author:
hj (AZ)
Not all baseboards have "dampers" and a 'single loop', which what he says he has, would NOT have "balancing valves"
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Author:
bernabeu (SC)
single loops are seldom used in multistory buildings
except
two risers, one supply and one return + a single loop on each floor
perhaps the OP is confusing the word loop with the word one zone
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"Measure Twice & Cut Once" - Retired U.A. Local 1 & 638
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