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Burnham boiler using water like crazy
QUESTION:I inherited a hydronic heating system (Burnham Series 2, installed
circa 1996) in the home we purchased in February. We have had
problems with it ever since. We have been called by the gas company
asking to do a gas leak check because we used so much more natural gas
than last year. Additionally, the water company actually took time
and highlighted our water bill last month, because the usage was so
out of control.
We have been renovating the house, a 4-level split in Iowa, so it is
vacant, and have had all four zones set at 55F, after replacing all of
the old mercury-based thermostats with new electronic thermostats. I
called a local plumber listed on the Burnham Web site, but he knew
little about the system, and recommended replacing the thermostats.
In the upstairs zone, that made a difference, because requests for
more heat actually fill the radiators now, previously that did not
happen.
Our water usage is still out of control, though. It is warm enough to
turn the boiler off, which we have done, and have also shut off the
water supply valve to the boiler. Prior to that, when it was turned
on, it sounded like the water was constantly running, like when
somebody has a faucet turned on. There was water in the closet near
the boiler, so maybe there is a leak in one of the pipes, but I didn't
see any visible drips or wet copper pipes. ANother plumber suggested
that maybe a copper pipe has burst under the basement floor, and it is
constantly requesting water, but I don't show any evidence of that
scale of a leak.
I am working with Burnham to locate who installed the unit, so I can
contact them to investigate the problem. What types of things are
likely candidates for all that water usage, though? Could it be a
valve problem or something like that? Also, what annual maintenance
would a boiler pro recommend performing annually/end of season?
ANSWER: If it's a Burnam V7 they had a lot casting troubles resulting in leaks on
that model -- have your heating contractor contact them. Post at: The Wall
on www.heatinghelp.com too Burnham hangs out there among some of the best in
the hydronics steam and radient business.
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