In this video, This Old House plumbing and heating contractor Richard Trethewey explains how to create zones in a hot-water heating system.
Steps for Adding Zones to a Hot Water Heating System
- Turn off the cold water line to the boiler; shut the electricity to the boiler.
- Drain water from the boiler, if there’s no floor drain remove water with an electric pump.
- Cut copper pipe coming from the boiler with a tubing cutter.
- Use a reciprocating saw to cut steel pipe, and remove the remaining pipe with a pipe wrench.
- Thread copper adapter into the boiler to connect new copper tubing; apply both pipe sealant and Teflon tape to threads of the adapter.
- Solder together new zone valve assemblies and attach to the boiler with solder-less fittings.
- Install the wireless thermostat in the room of the new zone; locate the thermostat away from direct sunlight or cold drafts, and about 60 inches above the floor.
- Install an electric control box beside the boiler and make wire connections between zone valves and thermostats in each zone.
- Turn on the cold water line and electricity to the boiler.
