BALANCING VALVES
Altecnic 130 Series manual balancing valve
STATIC OR DYNAMIC? - IT’S A BALANCING ACT, EXPLAINS ALTECNIC... Altecnic gets the balance right…
M ost hydronic heating
levels are achieved and maintained in all areas served by the system. Many systems use parallel circuits to deliver a portion of the total system flow rate to either individual zones within a building or individual heat emitters. Ideally, but hardly ever the reality, every zone or heat emitter in such systems would be identical to the others. Each would need to deliver the same rate of heating and each would have identical branch piping. Consequently, each would need an equal percentage of the total system flow rate. Instead, a more typical system will contain several different sizes or types of heat emitters, connected to the heat source using different types, sizes, or lengths of tubing. When such a system is turned on, the flow rate that develops within each branch will be determined by the hydraulic resistance of that branch in
comparison to the others, as well as the circulator used. There is no assurance that the flow rate in any given branch will not be capable of delivering the necessary rate of heat transfer to the heat emitter. Such a system may be properly designed and installed, but without the follow up of proper balancing, its performance is likely to fall short of expectations.
professionals agree that balanced systems are desirable.
However, opinions are widely varied on what constitutes a balanced system. For the purposes of this article we assert that a properly balanced hydronic system is one that consistently delivers the proper rate of heat transfer to each space served by the system. At first this definition may seem simplistic, but it ultimately reflects the fundamental goal of installing any heating system. When properly balanced, hydronic heating systems have the potential to deliver a precise rate of heating when and where it’s needed within a building. Without proper design, and proper balancing, that potential rarely becomes reality. In the context of hydronics, balancing refers to the adjustment of valves to direct flow within a heating system so that desired interior comfort
CONSEQUENCES OF IMBALANCED SYSTEMS
Whenever a heating system is designed, the intent is to deliver the proper rate of heat transfer precisely when and where it’s needed within a building. Without proper balancing hardware and adjustment, that goal is almost never achieved. The most obvious consequence of an improperly balanced system is lack of comfort. This lack of comfort is usually attributed to room air
“Altecnic has an extensive range of balancing valves for both domestic and commercial applications.”
50 | PLUMBING & HEATING MAGAZINE
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