We have radiant heat at home.
We have it serviced (flushed and cleaned, replaced 1 zone valve about 2 months ago). Now that it's cold (temp is 7 deg Celsius outside), our house is only at 18-19 degress Celsius inside the house and the floors are never warm... even if we have set the thermostat to 21 degress (or more).

I have checked the boiler and it seems to be running although the boiler room is about 23 deg Celsius only. I remember for the past years, it has been warm inside the boiler room and the room beside it (the laundry room).
I can't see the flame underneath.

Do you think our radiant heat is working? Or maybe poorly working? Or not working at all? They say that if it's not working at all, it will be very cold inside the house.

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Hi Jeanniego:

With the info. Provided it sounds like you are getting some heat, but there certainly could be issues. Radiant heat zones can be quite complicated.

Have you turned on the radiant heat and then touched the pipes at the boiler to see if they are getting heated at both the feed and the return pipes?

If unsure how to do that then it is a good idea to have a plumber come in and check all this out for you once and for all.

While he/she is there, be sure to have them spend some time showing you how to control each zone in the house. Have them mark out the feeds and returns for each zone and have them show you important valves, such as the water feed into the boiler and anything else they think you should know.

In this manner, you will get an answer to all questions and you will be so much better informed for the NEXT issue down the road!

Let us know if you want to discuss more... O.K.?

MARK

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Thanks for your quick response.
I am feeling stingy now... because we have spent almost $800 for this boiler before spring. I feel like we have been ripped off twice.
The first time in October when a reputable plumbing company charged us almost $400 to flush the water out and replaced a tank (small) and claimed they have cleaned the boiler.
Then the zone valve didn't work and we decided to go to another plumber since we were not satisfied with the first one. The second one, replaced the zone valve and told us it's too dirty and not safe at all to have it unclean. We decided to have it cleaned (again) for safety and peace of mind... the total came to more than $300.

After which, it works OK (zone valve fixed) but that time it was not that cold yet...
Now that it's winter time, we don't seem to get the temperature we wanted. I phoned the second plumber and told him about being cold inside the house and he told me that it is because our boiler is not efficient enough for our big house (why didn't he tell me this when he was fixing the boiler). We told him that if we need to replace the boiler, we would do that rather than fixing one part at a time. So, he told us to lower the temperature of the areas in the house where heat is not needed so that the rest will get more heat... To my dismay... it still is cold. He said, he can come and check it out for $70.

Anyway, that's my story of why I don't want to spend another penny on this boiler...

I don't mind paying if it's going to get me somewhere. We are ready to replace the boiler... but what if the result is the same?

Is it possible that the flame is gone?
If I send you a picture of the boiler, would I be able to know where to check?
How do I post a picture here?

Hi Jeannieego...

If boiler is too small to handle your needs then yeah... would have been nice if the 2nd plumber mentioned that when he visited the first time.

In terms of replacing the boiler... sizing a boiler correctly is an involved job. The company that replaces the boiler will need to measure all the radiant heat, measure all the baseboard (or radiators), etc. AND/OR measure the entire home to determine heat needed, heat lost through windows and doors, insulation type/thickness, etc. That company will then throw in a number... say 10 or 20% extra heat needed for future expansion of the home... if they are smart and depending on your wants/needs (I would add extra here).

Then, that company will need to guarantee the work 100%, at a minimum for 1 year! So, I don't think swapping out the boiler should be a concern if you really need to do it. Get three plumbers to come out, get three prices, and decide which plumber you feel best working with. Pop back here if you want to discuss the three estimates.

Be sure to check references. Be sure to get everything in writing and don't pay the final payment until you are satisfied that all is up and running 100%. DO not forget to let them know that you will want things labelled appropriately... all feeds, all returns, shutoffs, etc.

Now, in terms of the flame, if you turn the thermostat up in the house and then go to the boiler and remove the front panel (jacket)... do you see any flame now? Let me know I will wait around for awhile.. O.K.?

To post a picture, when posting a reply to us as you did last time, you will see a label under the box (scroll screen down) marked MANAGE ATTACHMENTS... click on that and find the pic. You want to upload. Click on the pic. And then click on upload and you should be on your way. If you post a picture please remove the jacket and try to get us a picture of the inside of the firing chanmber.

MARK

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Hi Mark,
Thanks for answering so quick.

I tried checking the flame but I can't see it. I believe I used to see it several years ago. When I checked the flame the last time (when the zone valve was not working and therefore a part of the house is warm) I can't see it anymore.

I assume that I just didn't see it but it was there because one part of the house is really hot due to on-functioning zone valve. Also, if there is no flame, then the boiler won't work anymore... meaning, it will be very very cold inside the house... am I right?

I am at work now. I will be able to take a photo of the boiler tonight. You don't have ot wait tonight. I will check for your answer tomorrow.
Thanks a lot!!

Jeannie

Hi Mark,
I got the boiler working now. The burner nor the pilot light was not lit. THanks a lot for your very quick response and your helpful replies.
Thanks,
Jeannie

Thank you jeanniego...

So the pilot was out.. huh? Just glad you are up and running for now.

Since all is OK now, I'd set out to get three FREE estimates and start to put a plan together for that new boiler... ;)

Have any questions along the way.. If so, pop back and let us know... glad to help!

MARK

Thanks Mark.
It was just weird that the temperature inside the house is around 18-19 deg Celsius (outside is 7 degC)... who would think that the boiler is not working?

I will have the estimates done. I already had 1 estimate few months ago. I will loook for 2 more reputable plumbing company. Do you know (by any chance) of a plumber here in Vancouver, Canada?
Thanks,
Jeannie