Questions tagged [central-heating]

For questions regarding a central heating system for the home. The system consists of a furnace or boiler and a method to distribute the heat throughout the home.

Questions regarding space heaters, fireplaces, or other devices should use the appropriate tag or the general tag.

See also the following components of a central heating system for more specific questions:

328 questions
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What materials can be used to create cold air returns?

To make a cold air return duct in my wall, can I simply use the studs and drywall to create the duct or do I have to use sheet metal also?
brian buck
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Is it OK to use old (30+ years) heating oil in my central heating furnace?

I found old steel jerrycans holding ~50 gallons (~200 liters) of heating oil. They were stored in a place where temperature can go below -5°C. Is it safe to use it for heating? If so, should I mix one can at a time into the main tank (in order to…
Manu
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Is it cost effective to close some heating vents?

I have a central natural gas forced-air furnace in a small (1500 sq. ft.) home. I have an unfinished main room downstairs and a room for storage upstairs that's not being used as a bedroom. Is it cost effective to close the heating vents in these…
JYelton
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Replacing a ceiling register cover

I was replacing an old ceiling register cover in my house but I found the screw hole on one side of the opening is kind of loose. Is there a way to patch up the mount point so the cover is fully supported?
pkumar
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My hot water boiler failed **On** - what would cause that?

I arrived back from holiday to find the house like a sauna, everything in the kitchen too hot to touch, cutlery scalding hot etc. My central heating was on full, and must have been for some days. Quick check of the thermostat showed it was working…
Rory Alsop
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Can a cold air return be shared by two rooms?

Can I use the same cold air return duct in a wall between two rooms? For example, the duct would run down the wall between the studs and then could I put the register at the bottom of the wall on both sides giving both rooms access to the same…
brian buck
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Why won't my heater fan come on?

Central-air heater fan won't run, either in Auto or On mode. The heat comes on, but the fan doesn't. Even with heat switched off, the fan should run if I switch it On. The breaker is on, the wall switch is on. I eliminated the thermostat by…
DJC
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Help identifying the purpose of a central heating valve beside boiler

I have a 12 year old Pottington gas combi-boiler running my radiators and water tank. I was checking the central heating loop pressure today and I discovered a twisty valve I never used before. I think this valve has been incorrectly set since I…
spl
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Why aren't my radiators heating up after I replaced a rusted through pipe?

We had a bit of corrosion in an old pipe and it started leaking and losing pressure and so I drained all the central heating system (radiators), replaced the pipe and fitting. It was awkward and the new pipe had to go through from the first floor to…
dncnmckn
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Why does water in a radiator not flow directly from inlet to outlet without passing through the upper part?

To an answer to How does water travel through a modern column radiator a commenter asked Does this mean that you could completely open the exit valve, but half-open the input valve, and the water would never travel up, instead just travel from…
RedGrittyBrick
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How can I fix a single radiator that is not providing heat?

Possible Duplicate: Why is my radiator not getting hot water or have air in it? All of my radiators are working, apart from one. There is heat in the pipe attached to it , but the radiator is cold. I have bled it several times , but all that is…
Audrey
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uncontrollable heating in multi unit apt

I have a 6 unit 2 story apt bldg which has only one basement furnace controlled by one thermostat from the first floor apt #1. The duct work has dampers to each unit. the problem is that the temp in unit #1 dictates how hot or cold the rest of the…
user95258
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Trouble with twinned Bryant heating units

I have twinned heating units as w1 and w2. The first unit to come on needs to be replaced; but, until then I need to know how to get the system to heat better. The problem is the fan comes on on unit one (even though the heat does not come on on…
Rudy
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Why does my central heating system get so much air in it?

We have an old system with a header tank in the loft. Over the last few days I have bled the radiators many times. However one section: Took a few hours until any water got to it, Its radiators were then filled with air (I bled them again at this…
Walker
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Why does my central heating system comes on on its own accord?

Can anyone tell me why my central heating comes on by itself: the radiators get hot and stay hot for around 1-3 minutes then the system turns back off again. This can happen any time throughout the day and night, and you can hear the system kicking…
Dee Griffiths
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