Fuel burning stove with back boiler not heating rads.

Hi, I had an Avon Saddle multi fuel burner that heated water and supplied 9 radiators but a pump was required to heat the radiators. We had a thermostat fitted in the kitchen. System worked perfectly for 30 years burning mostly old wood palets and a bit of coal
 
stove not heating radiators

Hi i know your question is a little old and i hope you solved your problem i recently had ther same problem rads only getting lukewarm had plumbers out to look but they couldnt find aything wrong then a friend of mine had a look he said there was air in the system but bleeding the rads from the bleed valve on the rads wouldnt get the air out so he turned off one of the valves at the bottom of the rads and loosened the nut then turned the valve back on the amonut of air that came out was unbelievable turned vale off again retightened the nut instant heat done the same with all the rads house is now roasting dont know if this will help everyone but sorted my problem out has to be worth a try if your stove is not heating your rads ps remember to put big bowl under the valve to catch the water
 
Hi there, I have recently installed a 14Kw multi-fuel back boiler stove during a two room extension where we added 3 extra radiators bringing the number up to 13 (3 of them are doubles). We use the stove as a back up to oil central heating. All the radiators in the house work well, except for one in the extension that needs regular bleeding, when using the oil heating. But when using the stove to heat the rads there are two of them cold, no heat at all going to them. One of the rads not working is the one that needs constant bleeding. We turn off some of the rads to force the heat around but it still not working. Is it the pump at the back boiler (which worked fine when running the open fire back boiler) not have enough capacity for the extra rads?
Any ideas?
 
Hi Villa1

I never post on these sites but my Mother has installed a stove to heat water and radiators and regrets the whole thing. (Erin Stanley to heat up to 12 radiators, she also has oil central heating which they still use) I spent two years convincing her to get the stove but she has so many problems with it. It has cost thousands... Would it be possible to get your advice on a few things, we are going to get the plumber back (again) but I am very interested in your feedback and would greatly appreciate it:

With the oil everything works perfectly, all radiators heat instantly etc, its a old bungalow, probably 1950's.
When the stove is on:

1. It takes at least one hour to heat the water after the stove is lit
2. Then there is a gushing noise and the radiator in the living room heats well but will die down after half hour, they spike alot.
3. Another half hour the rest of the radiators (max 8) will heat okayish apart from 3.
4. We have to switch on another button for these radiators but only two will heat.
5. We were told the third wasnt heating because the fire needed to be bigger which I kept telling my Mum to do.... but I've seen it and a big fire made no difference...the last radiator is cold (not even luke warm) and there is a cracking, bubbling noise from the stove if a big fire is put on.

Everyone is very frustrated!
 
The first line of the description on the Erin Stanley product page reads 'the Erin not only heats up to 9 radiators but also provides a plentiful source of hot water for your home.' So it's likely undersized to heat all 12 rads. Others with more knowledge in this field may help with the rest.
 
sound like there is a big air lock somewhere, its possible to install so air release valves,
also i had a stanley Erin and sold it on as it would not heat 12 rads for me only slightly warm so it does sound like its undersized but it also sounds like its airlock on the solid fuel system
i think the switch your talking about is zoning possible bedrooms ?
solid fuel is nice however you do still need oil as a primer to heat the rads to a decent temp before the stove takes over its a black art


first off get the plumber to check for air locks on the solid fuel system

one last thing what fuel is your mum using ?
 
Can any one advise on the Standley Donards solid fuel. I am looking at one to put in to 3000 sq ft house new build. Same will be zoned. It advise that it heats 12 standard rad, not sure what they class standard is that single or double. I am looking at one in McDonaghs in Galway they are selling for 4K. Any one any experience with same?

Does any one know when the Donard was original realised as I don't want a cook that is the end of the line and if any thing goes wrong and can't get parts!
 
Not sure if you solved the problem as this was years ago..but if everyth seemed to be piped ok and the pump was big enough .it sounds to me that maybe there was no injection tee fitted ..this allows the rads to get priority when the pump cuts in..if this isn't fitted the water will mainly pump round your coil with very little water goin in the direction of the rads resulting in them not heating
 
Villa 1. Or anyone who can help me....
Just a question my self n my mam got Stanley stoves put in around the same time from the same person. Hers has worked perfect from day one. Mine is a whole different story. First it was the thermostat. Then the ballcock in the thank keeps having to be replaced. Never really heated up stairs reds as good as down stairs reds. I av 12 radiators.3 are tiny and the rest are normal sized. Now after the summer the first time lighting it down stairs was nice n warm n up stairs is freeeeeezing. Rads are not heating at all what so ever. U can hear the water bubbling going up the pipes but then the over flow goes mad, the attic fills of steam n the water in the tiny tank is bubbling and over flowing n socking threw the bed room ceiling. There was no water in the tank the other night. Now the water that is in the tank is black dirty looking water. Can any help or she'd light on what this could possible be. Will need to get it sorted
 
Then the ballcock in the thank keeps having to be replaced.

That would be very unusual. Ballcocks don't wear out that quickly!

Never really heated up stairs reds as good as down stairs reds. I av 12 radiators.3 are tiny and the rest are normal sized.

Did this stove replace another heating source? If so, did the previous source heat all rads effectively and evenly?

Was the system ever properly balanced after the installation of the stove?

U can hear the water bubbling going up the pipes but then the over flow goes mad, the attic fills of steam n the water in the tiny tank is bubbling and over flowing n socking threw the bed room ceiling. There was no water in the tank the other night. Now the water that is in the tank is black dirty looking water.

Multiple problems there. You obviously have a lot of air in the system, have you tried bleeding it? The tank in the attic should also have an overflow outlet so that it cannot overflow onto the ceiling. The black water means water from the heating system is being forced out as it heats/expands.

you have an '' system. That tank in the attic is the feed and expansion tank, it should never be empty, so you need to take a look at in inlet and check the ballcock can move freely and allows water enter from the mains. If water isn't flowing, then you need to check the feed, perhaps the water pressure isn't high enough to effectively feed the tank at that height.

Can any help or she'd light on what this could possible be. Will need to get it sorted

1. Sort out the tank in the attic, ensure that is being fed correctly, and has an outlet that will direct overflow outside
2. While cold, bleed the system at all rads (monitor the attic tank to ensure the air you belled is being replaced with water)
3. Balance the system fully as per the guide above

If all that fails, get a competent plumber out to look at it. There may be issues with the pump being under-spec'd or poor pipe layout resulting in airlocks. Modifying to a pressurised system may alleviate the latter issue.
 
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