QUESTION:Our boiler gage reads emty on out baseboard type of gas furnace... can
anyone tell me hoe to refill the boiler? We have been without heat for
2 months and we are starting to hit the really could winter...it is a
Taco Perfecta model 195-1...please help as we are barely maing payments
oun our house and can't afford the 65 dollar deductable for a furnice
repair to look at it..
ANSWER:
There's either a manual shut-off valve which feeds water to the boiler
or an automatac pressure regulating feed valve.
The normal boiler pressure for a 1 to 2 story house is around 12 PSI.
First thing I'd do is to pull the lever on the pressure relief valve -
your pressure gauge may be stuck and, in reality, the boiler may be
pressured. If you pull the safety valve lever and no water comes out
under pressure, the boiler water level is truly low.
Trace the cold water line as it comes near the boiler, open any valves
that you find and watch the gauge to see if it rises. If there is an
automatic feed valve, pulling the lever on its top should begin to
feed water into the boiler. Obviously close the valve and/or push the
flip lever back down as you approach 12 PSI. The auto feed valves
often clog or stick over time but can be manually operated as above.
Your radiators or baseboard heaters may have air in them which will
have to be bleed out before you gain any heat. You will find bleeder
screws which should be opened until water comes out.
As you are bleeding the system, have an assistant watch the boiler
pressure gauge, adding water as the pressure drops during bleeding.
