Q&A on how to choose the settings for a heating boiler aquastat control:
This article series explains how to choose the best settings for a heating boiler aquastat - the combination control that sets boiler temperature and may also control hot water production via a tankless coil on the heating boiler.
InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
- Daniel Friedman, Publisher/Editor/Author - See WHO ARE WE?
These questions & answers were posted originally
at AQUASTAT HI LO DIFF SETTINGS - please be sure you review the advice given there.
The photo at page top shows a the "HIGH" or "HI" setting on a Honeywell R8124A combination heating control, also called an "aquastat".
...
My boiler is shutting off when the water reaches the aquastat hi setting but its not coming back on until after the water temp drops significantly and the pump is circulating cold water.
I have a L8148 A. The temp is set at 200 as it came and the low temp is not adjustable. On 2018-01-27 by Lucas
by (mod) - Check the aquastat sensor probe or replace the whole unit
Lucas
Possibly the aquastat's actual sensor is not in good contact with the side of the steel well into which it's inserted into the boiler - or the installer omitted the heat-conducting grease recommended by the manufacturer.Otherwise I suspect a defective aquastat sensor probe.
That will require replacing the whole aquastat as few technicians will try to just replace the probe.
My aquastat is set at 195 high, 175 low and 25 differential.
The low setting seems to work as designed, however when my thermostat calls for heat, the burner doesn't turn on until the temp falls to around 120. My understanding is that it should start the burner immediately. Don't know what the problem is. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks. On 2016-12-28 2 by Bruce
by (mod) - problem with the temperature sensor of the aquastat control
Bruce,
I suspect a problem with the temperature sensor of the aquastat control - perhaps it's not in good contact in the well into which its inserted, or the thermal grease was omitted.
I have just recently installed a new Monitron Slant Fin electric boiler to my 20 year old system. I have 5 zones...two downstairs in floor heat and 3 upstairs in baseboard heat. I have the L7248L Aquastat and I have added the I also installed the Honeywell C7089 sensor and Outdoor Reset Module to this system.
My boiler settings are 180 High and 160 Low with 10 differential. The outdoor upper temperature setting is 40 degrees. In northern Minnesota when the temperature gets below 20 degrees the system works very well. have 2 questions:
1) When the the temp is ~35 degrees for a long period of time, the boiler stays between 180 and 160 degrees even if the thermostats are not calling for heat.
This results in hot water circulating upstairs by simple gravity and it gets too warm.
Shouldn't the boiler shut down with no calls for heat?
2) If the outside temp is 42 and cloudy for several days, the ORM shuts down the boiler and the house gets cold because the boiler does not kick in even if the thermostats ARE calling for heat. Shouldn't the boiler kick in if the thermostats are calling? On 2017-04-26 by Steve
-
Reply by (mod) - burner turns on in response to water temperature, not thermostat call for heat
Steve
Typically aquastats come factory set assuming that there is a tankless coil on a boiler; the boiler will keep some heat in the boiler year-round (in case the tankless coil needs it) even if there is no call for heat.
If heating water is actually circulating out of the boiler even when your thermostats are not calling for heat, that too will cause the boiler temperature to drop and the burner to run to re-heat the system.That's an error: I suspect a zone valve that's not closing or a system check valve that's not closing when it should - permitting hot water to circulate by convection or as you put it, by gravity.
More detailed diagnosis of this problem is at HEAT WON'T TURN OFF - - https://inspectapedia.com/heat/Heat_Stays_On.php
The ORM, as I understand them, changes the operating temperature range of the boiler - it should not be disabling it; rather its intent is to give longer boiler-on cycles on a call for heat when the outdoor temperature is not too low. It does that by changing the effective HI setting.
I addressed this question where you (I think it was you) asked it previously: if the room temperature is below the set temperature on the room thermostat then hot heating water should circulate out of the boiler through the room's radiating devices.Unless your home is in Canada where installers set up the system differently, it is the temperature of the water in the boiler itself that turns the burner on and off.
Review the ORM settings with the manufacturer of your module - or its instructions. It may not be working properly.
Details are at OUTDOOR RESET MODULE AQUASTAT ADJUSTER
My boiler aquastat is raised to 160 Hi and 140 LO because part of my second floor is not getting heat but I have not seen any improvement. While the front half of the house radiators are hot the back part especially the second floor there is no heat.
What could be the problem with the hot water circulation?
Thank you for a response On 2018-10-18 by Randy
by (mod) - aquastat treats all zones the same; the problem is elsewhere, probably a bad circulator, relay, or airbound zone
if one of your zones is getting no heat at all then the problem is not the settings on the aquastat on the primary controller. That's simply controls the temperature operating range of the boiler.
More likely you have a zone Valve or circulator pump that is not working, or you might have an air bound heating Zone.If you can confirm that the zone is calling for Heat and the circulator is running
read the repair procedure at
AIR-BOUND HEATING SYSTEMS
...
Continue reading at AQUASTAT HI LO DIFF SETTINGS - topic home, or select a topic from the closely-related articles below, or see the complete ARTICLE INDEX.
Or see these
AQUASTAT HI LO DIFF SETTINGS FAQs-4 at InspectApedia.com - online encyclopedia of building & environmental inspection, testing, diagnosis, repair, & problem prevention advice.
Or see this
Or use the SEARCH BOX found below to Ask a Question or Search InspectApedia
Questions & answers or comments about the best settings for aquastat controls on heating boilers
Try the search box just below, or if you prefer, post a question or comment in the Comments box below and we will respond promptly.
Search the InspectApedia website
Note: appearance of your Comment below may be delayed: if your comment contains an image, photograph, web link, or text that looks to the software as if it might be a web link, your posting will appear after it has been approved by a moderator. Apologies for the delay.
Only one image can be added per comment but you can post as many comments, and therefore images, as you like.
You will not receive a notification when a response to your question has been posted.
Please bookmark this page to make it easy for you to check back for our response.
IF above you see "Comment Form is loading comments..." then COMMENT BOX - countable.ca / bawkbox.com IS NOT WORKING.
In any case you are welcome to send an email directly to us at InspectApedia.com at editor@inspectApedia.com
We'll reply to you directly. Please help us help you by noting, in your email, the URL of the InspectApedia page where you wanted to comment.
In addition to any citations in the article above, a full list is available on request.