Propane Fired Forced Water Baseboard Temp

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Fri. Nov. 15, 2013 9:46 pm

Could someone tell me how hot a forced water propane fired baseboard system should be at the baseboards? I measured the cover of the baseboard at about 170 just now.

We recently changed from an oil fired boiler to a propane fired unit. I swear the baseboards are a lot hotter now and Im wondering if its dangerous. We have the same Weil Mclane boiler we had before they just swapped out the burner section.

Thanks for any advice!

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Fri. Nov. 15, 2013 9:56 pm

What are the high and low limits set for on the aqua stat? Is the room temp what the thermostat is set for?

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Fri. Nov. 15, 2013 10:22 pm

Thanks for the reply!

yes room temps are where the thermostats are set...dont know how to check the aqua stat settings.....

it just seems like the system is running a lot hotter; you can feel a lot more heat a hanging in the air a lot more quickly than with the old setup.

Carbon12 · Post by **Carbon12** » Fri. Nov. 15, 2013 10:31 pm

Hot water baseboard, heated by whatever means, is often set for a hi temp of 180 and low temp of 160. The installer may have adjusted the temperature settings on your boiler. 170 degrees is nothing to worry about, usually.

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Fri. Nov. 15, 2013 10:42 pm

it's 170 on the baseboard cover....the pipe and fins must be hotter

thanks again

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Sat. Nov. 16, 2013 5:18 am

As mentioned, It would be normal to have the water temps 160 to 180. It would also be normal to have some over ride. If it shuts off at 180 just as the thermostat is satisfied, it could easily go above 180. 170 at the baseboard would be normal at the start of the loop. I guess if I were concerned I'd check the temp of the boiler....maybe it got bumped up a bit. If it's set to shut off above 180, feel free to back it down, but leave a 20 degree differential.

whistlenut · Post by **whistlenut** » Sat. Nov. 16, 2013 8:30 am

Was the burner all that was changed? Perhaps they adjusted the aquastat, but 170 is very normal at the start of the loop. Try it out for a little while, them make changes as necessary. Sounds like you are comfortable, anyway.

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Sat. Nov. 16, 2013 8:51 pm

I believe thats all that was changed.

Thanks for the help everyone!

PJT · Post by **PJT** » Thu. Nov. 28, 2013 9:08 pm

Well the other night I was in the cellar when the boiler came on....suddenly heard this weird hissing sound and looked up to see steam escaping from a relief valve near the circulators ...this time I took note of the boiler temp gauge....it was reading 270 (F) and the pressure was around 22....needless to say I called the propane co and they came right out.....they found they had wired the new propane unit incorrectly when they swapped it in a couple months ago.....now the temp gauge reads 180 and the pressure is around 12....

Thanks for all the help the other day guys!

Freddy · Post by **Freddy** » Thu. Nov. 28, 2013 9:21 pm

PJT wrote:weird hissing sound and looked up to see steam escaping

THAT's not good! I'm glad they came right out & got you fixed up.