Replies

1. 
   MikeHennessy | Dec 10, 2009 09:02pm | #1

   Radiant heat systems are usually continuously pressurized through an inlet from your water supply, a backflow preventer and a pressure reducing valve, like this:

   View Image

    Other than that, the only solution I know of is to install a storage tank open to the atmosphere, and high enough to give you 15 lbs of head.

   Mike Hennessy
   Pittsburgh, PA
   Everything fits, until you put glue on it.

   Edit: 15 lbs on the gauge correlates to about 30 feet of height for the tank, so it would have to be in the attic. Either that or you will be running the system at a lower than optimal pressurization. Still, it's possible. That said, it's easier to do it the conventional way as illustrated above.

   
   

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   Edited 12/10/2009 1:37 pm ET by MikeHennessy

2. 
   JeffHeath | Dec 10, 2009 09:19pm | #2

   Mine has a storage tank as Mike stated. It's mounted in the ceiling of the basement, where the system is. Nary a problem in 10 years.

   Jeff

3. 
   kreuzie | Dec 11, 2009 04:55am | #3

   Check with your local plumbing supply (not the BORG) for an automatic fill valve. The hot water radiator system we had in our rental apartments building had one, and it seems to me that one would work on your system.

   Just explain to the counter guy at the plumbing supply what you're doing, and you won't get a blank stare like at the BORG.

   kreuzie

4. 
   WillGeorge | Dec 11, 2009 06:27am | #4

   Not sure..

   But I have to add water to it about once every 4 years?? Why is that a problem?

   My house is all old steam radiators with hot water from a sort of new boiler. I will on occasion, open the valve on the radiators to let off collected air. Yes, a vessel to collect the water...

   No problems. Water has air trapped inside no matter what you do.

1. 
   Hat | Dec 11, 2009 07:09am | #5

   Its not a problem. I just want a easy way to fill it

1. 
   Taigert | Dec 11, 2009 07:40pm | #6

   Hat

   As stated above put a automatic fill valve on you system, that will solve your problem. Just do yourself a favor and make sure to put a shut off valve on both sides of the valve about 8" away I would use ball valves. And inside of the shut offs have a union between the shut off & the valve. By doing this if for some reason the fill valve has to be changed you don't half to empty the system to make the repair. It will save you a lot of time and money doing it this way. Any time you have a part that may need to be worked on in the future it's a good idea if you can isolate it from the system. You can have more than one device inside the area you are isolating. Just look at your system to determine where the unions should be. Look at how much has to be taken apart to get to a union.

   Taigert