Does the heating system (propane-fired) need to draw on the regular water line or is there enough in the pipes for the loop?

We are going out of town and I would really like to turn off the main water valve while we are away. But not sure how that would affect the heating system?

We live in upstate NY (NE of Syracuse) and the temps have been below freezing at night, often in the single digits or well below zero so we don't want to turn off the heating system.

Thanks,

Bob

Your heating system is independent of your potable water system EXCEPT for the cold water supply to the boiler. The cold water feed to the boiler has a backflow device that prevents water from leaving the boiler back to the cold water supply. As long as your heat system has no leaks, the system will maintain its pressure and you will be good to turn the main house water supply off. If your boiler has a low water safety mechanism on it, that will protect it from firing if you should experience a low/no water situation within the heat system during your absence. ( I should add, an activated low water shut-off would also allow your house to assume outdoor temperatures. This is where a wifi thermostat would allow you to monitor indoor house temps and respond to such a situation.)



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Thanks, m & m. I always turn off our main water supply off when we are gone for more than a day or two.

The heating system has no leaks that I can detect and I'm glad you mentioned the low water safety mechanism. I need to find out if it has one. Is there an easy way to check? I think I have the original boiler owner's guide We are the second owner of the house, built in 2003.

I appreciate your fast reply!


Author: m & m (MD)

Your heating system is independent of your potable water system EXCEPT for the cold water supply to the boiler. The cold water feed to the boiler has a backflow device that prevents water from leaving the boiler back to the cold water supply. As long as your heat system has no leaks, the system will maintain its pressure and you will be good to turn the main house water supply off. If your boiler has a low water safety mechanism on it, that will protect it from firing if you should experience a low/no water situation within the heat system during your absence.



Edited 1 times.

A Wifi thermostat will let you know the house temperature is dropping, but, unless you have someone who can get into the house, there is nothing you can do about it.