I have recently converted from oil to gas in my 2500 sqft 1930s era Home. We have a hot water radiator system. We left the original radiator main pipes and risers. They are large pipes 3” mains. and as such the plumber used a rather large 1/8 HP pump model taco 0011-f4. We would like to move to three zones in the House, and also lower the electricity usage of the system. That pump uses 202 watts while running. I can’t seem to find information about how to size the main pipes and how that relates to pump size.
Replace radiator mains and reduce electrical consumption
radiant-heatingradiator
Related Solutions
If your carbon monoxide detector is going off, you have a carbon monoxide problem. Contact your utility or local emergency services for a more thorough test. The symptoms you describe are consistent with early stages of carbon monoxide poisoning.
If your radiators heat with hot water or steam, or another system other than forced air, you will not have return ducts. That is normal. Carbon monoxide inside homes typically originates from a gas-burning appliance directly -- so in your case it would be gases coming up from a heater or boiler (probably in the basement). Alternatively, it could be that the exhaust duct / chimney is leaking into your apartment, rather than completely exhausting outdoors.
Get this looked at right away by professionals. BE VERY CAREFUL and do not venture downstairs; if the CO problem is bad in your apartment, it might be much worse in the immediate surroundings of the heater. Be safe!
I used a reciprocating saw with a metal blade to cut though my cast iron pipe. It's $60 if you don't already have one, but they come in handy. You could also use a angle grinder with a metal blade, but that's louder, sparkier and smells more.
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Best Answer
1> install a constant delta-P pump ERP rated circulator (it'll adjust the power to the required delta-P instead of running fixed RPM)
2> install constant-delta-P thermostatic preregulation valves (Caleffi Dynamical)
3> Calculate each valve maximum flow allow no more than the needed flow to heat each room
This configuration can let your (GAS) consumption go down by at least 10% if you have a condensing boiler and you set properly the delta-T, also can push down the electric consumption by about 40% or more (up to 95%), (Pump will run maximum just for the first hours, when valves start to throttle down radiator flow, pump 'reads' less need and slows down it's speed accordingly, pumps are also 'intrinsically' much more energy efficient (EEI<0,23 when older 'A-class' had EEI of about 0,40)
Similar configuration may be achived (knowing diameters and lenght of each pipe) using delta-p compensation before zone valves and using 'standard' preregulation valves on radiators (But in this case, calculating each valve is much more difficult, with dynamical calculation is quite easy)
This is a reference for dynamical (it's in Italian, but I think google can help translating) Another reference (see summary: blue box on page 29)
ERP-related (1) ERP-related (2) information (English)