The top of the battery is hot and the bottom is cold, what should I do? Main causes and ways to eliminate them

Some people encounter this problem when the batteries are hot at the top and cold at the bottom. This situation can arise both in an apartment and in a private house, and with old batteries, and with a new heating system. In this article we will figure out why the battery is hot on top and cold on the bottom. And we will find out how to fix this problem.

What are the reasons for uneven heating of radiators

Batteries are an essential component of residential heating systems. It is their serviceability that determines how warm the rooms will be. With proper connection and proper operation, radiators can effectively heat the air in large rooms and maintain an optimal temperature for a long time. However, what should you do if the top of the radiator heats up perfectly, but the bottom remains cold? First of all, you need to figure out why this happens.

The part at the bottom of the batteries heats up worse

Let us immediately remind you that most battery models are designed in such a way that during operation their lower part heats up somewhat worse. This can be explained by the high degree of heat transfer - while the water is in the radiator, it has time to cool down a little before it begins to flow out of the batteries. As a result of this principle, the upper part of the device will always become hotter. Thanks to this, there is no need to worry if, during operation of the heating elements, their surface does not heat up completely equally.

It's worse if you touch the device and see a large temperature difference. This directly indicates that the radiator was not connected correctly, or the liquid in it is moving at insufficient speed. In the first option, the professional most likely mixed up the outflow and water supply pipes. Many real estate owners face a similar situation. The basis is the lack of professionalism of the called technician or an attempt to attach the radiator with your own hands. In another embodiment, the bottom of the radiator is cold due to the low speed of water flow in the middle of it. In this case, the liquid can cool completely before flowing out of the element.

Incorrect pipe connection

If the pipes are connected incorrectly, the efficiency of the radiator will decrease. Using the services of experienced craftsmen, such a problem does not arise. However, if you decide to connect the pipes yourself, then you may make a major mistake. When installing a radiator, the return pipe is often connected to the upper pipe, and the supply pipe to the lower pipe. This error causes the following problems:

The efficiency of the system decreases and the water circulation is completely destroyed.
The process of removing water from the battery is disrupted.
Due to a decrease in battery efficiency and heat transfer, water cannot fill all sections evenly.

Water enters the radiator through the lower pipe. Then it flows in a circle and is discharged from the radiator. The work of the radiator is significantly reduced, since the sections do not warm up well. When connected to the upper pipe, liquid is not removed from the inside. This happens due to the characteristics of the radiator, which cannot create high pressure to remove water through the top.

Since cold water has a lower density than cold water, when it enters the radiator it tends to the top. The coolant travels a shorter distance, while the liquid in the sections does not move.

If you connected the radiator correctly, then water should come from above and flow through the upper collector. The liquid will flow into the columns and go to the bottom, since the pressure in the radiator is low. When working properly, the radiator will heat up evenly.

If, after all, the pipes were connected incorrectly, there are several options to correct the situation:

Disconnect the pipes;
Establish the correct operating scheme, in which the supply pipe is connected to the upper branch pipe, and the return pipe to the lower one;
After completing the previous steps, you can connect all the elements to the radiator, and then check its operation.

If you are sure that you have connected the pipes correctly, but the radiator still remains cold from below, then you should look for other causes of the problem.

Why is half the battery cold?

When the radiator is not connected correctly.

The main reason why the battery is half cold may be that it is connected incorrectly. According to the rules for installing heating equipment in a heating circuit, the pipe supplying hot coolant must be connected to the top of the battery. The cold pipe or return, on the contrary, is to its lower part. Also read: “Radiator brackets.”

How can we explain this?

You need to take into account the laws of physics and remember that hot water is much lighter than cold water, and therefore is located in the upper part of the heating device. Gradually releasing its thermal energy to the surrounding air, the coolant cools down. Its density, and hence its weight, increases. He goes down. That is why often half of the battery is cold and half is hot.

In any case, if the radiator is half cold, you need to seek help from a specialist rather than try to solve the problem yourself. This can lead to equipment damage or injury.

Low coolant temperature.

The heating device was installed correctly, but still half of the battery is cold. What to do in this case? Very often, especially in frosty weather outside, the coolant enters the heating circuit at an insufficiently high temperature. Giving up heat to the heating element, it cools down completely. This is why the effect of a cold radiator from below is created.

Contamination inside the heating device.

Debris, rust, as a result of corrosion of the inside of the heating circuit, can lead to the fact that the batteries are half cold. What to do in such a situation? Before the start of the heating season, especially if the thermal distribution was organized several decades ago, it is necessary to clean the radiators. To do this, a locksmith from the relevant service is called and he performs all the work.

Things are worse if the radiators do not heat up after the start of the heating season. In this case, the riser of an apartment building or the heating circuit of a private building is completely taken out of service. After all, it is possible to remove contaminants from the radiator only when there is no coolant in it.

Air jams.

They may be the reason why half of the battery is cold. It is easy to check their presence if the supply pipe and return pipe of the heating element are equipped with ball valves or thermostats. They are simply blocked. Then the upper tap is opened while the lower one remains closed for only 10-15 seconds. If extraneous sounds and gurgling are heard when the coolant enters, there is air inside the heating element. It prevents the free circulation of hot water, so half of the battery does not heat.

The problem can be solved by simply bleeding the air. For this purpose, heating devices are equipped with a Mayevsky tap or an ordinary tap in the upper part. A container for collecting hot water is first installed under the locking mechanism. The Mayevsky tap opens and remains in this position until all the air leaves the heating device. The process is accompanied by spraying hot water under pressure. That is why it is recommended to cover the tap with a cloth.

The cross-section of the supply pipe is narrowed.

The heating element is installed correctly, it is new and there is no air inside, and the battery is half cold. Reason: a thermostat or tap with a narrowed flow area is installed. What does it mean? Through a pipe with a narrowed cross-section, half the coolant enters the radiator. As a result, the speed of water movement in the radiator decreases, and therefore the temperature of its surface decreases.

What needs to be done?

Dismantle the taps in front of the heating element. Before choosing a new device, be sure to consult a specialist. He must calculate the required cross-section of the valve, which will not affect the movement of coolant in the circuit.

Full room heating

The air temperature in the room will always be low if half of the radiator is cold, half is hot. The reason for this may be improper installation of the radiator, the presence of a tap in front of it with a narrowed cross-section, dirt and air inside the heating element. Any problem can be resolved if you seek help from a specialist. It is not recommended to carry out repairs yourself, as this can lead to equipment failure or injury.

Battery not connected correctly

Another very common situation of cold bottom and hot top of the battery is its incorrect (unprofessional) connection. Particular attention when organizing a heating system will require the installation of a bypass in front of the heaters, the correct choice of connection diagram and proper installation of all shut-off valves.

The best option would be a parallel (diagonal) connection with a coolant supply at the top and a “return” at the bottom. In addition, it must be remembered that there must be the necessary space at the top and bottom of the battery to ensure normal and stable air exchange. Otherwise, the operation of such a device will be completely ineffective and problematic.

What to do if the batteries are clogged

A clogged heating radiator is a common problem when operating batteries, which leads to various troubles. Dirt accumulates inside the devices due to poor quality coolant and the presence of air. This is especially true at the beginning of the heating season. When heating starts and stops, look here.

In self-contained circuits that do not rely on central heating, dirt and debris can enter through an open hydraulic tank. Particles and batteries settle at the bottom and in the nooks and crannies of the battery, resulting in disruption of coolant circulation. The batteries begin to heat up worse. A severe blockage leads to the fact that the radiators become completely or half cold.

Clogging also occurs due to the accumulation of excess air and the formation of an air lock. Modern bimetallic batteries are easy to maintain. In this case, you can remove excess air by opening a special tap. If the problem is an air lock, a hiss will follow from the hole. If the problem is different, coolant will flow from the tap. In this case, immediately close the tap.

For old cast iron batteries such a faucet is not provided. If there is an air lock, you will have to look for the coupling, which is located at the connection of the pipe with the approach to the radiator. Turn the coupling and dirty coolant will flow out of the tap. Drain a little and twist back. To avoid staining the floor, place a container under the coupling first. Do not unscrew the coupling completely, otherwise there is a risk of flooding!

Do-it-yourself troubleshooting (step-by-step instructions)

The reasons for the malfunction of the heating system, indicated by a large difference in the temperature of the top and bottom of the radiator, are considered. It remains to decide on a plan of action when they arise. It should immediately be noted that it is impossible to eliminate some problems on your own. If you feel cold in the room and detect a strong difference in the temperature of the upper and lower parts of the battery, it is necessary to perform a number of measures in order.

Check and fully open the supply and discharge valves on the battery pipes

If a malfunction is detected, it is necessary to replace the failed components of the shut-off valve being repaired or replace it completely if repair is impossible. Bleed the air lock from the battery, if there is a valve or tap, by placing a suitable container for the liquid and being careful. If there is air, water from the tap will burst out in jerks with a characteristic hissing sound. If bleeding the air does not help, you can start checking and, if necessary, cleaning the radiator from internal contamination

After closing the taps on the pipes and placing a suitable container under the radiator, unscrew the drain plug; the presence of contamination will be indicated by a leaking dark brown substance (almost black). If there is no dirt or air, and provided that before the start of the heating season any plumbing work was carried out on the heating system, you should check that the radiator is connected correctly. If you discover incorrect installation yourself or by calling the experts from a home maintenance company, you must bring the installation of the battery in accordance with the approved diagram. If the pressure and circulation rate of the working fluid are low, when all other checks and measures have been carried out, you need to call the management company or the organization supplying heat to find out the time frame for eliminating the problem. If the room is cold, then it is advisable to wait until it warms up; it is possible that during the owner’s absence the central heating was turned off for some reason. As the room warms up, the difference in heating between the top and bottom may return to normal.

The most important thing is to remember safety measures, since hot water under pressure can not only damage the surrounding interior, but also cause harm to health.

Video

The presented video clip shows the process of bleeding air from the radiator.

Adviсe

So, if you find that the radiators in the apartment have become cold or not warm enough, we recommend doing the following:

Determine the type of possible breakdown. If this is a separate battery, then it is necessary to shut off the flow of coolant into this element. This can be done using a supply valve.
Wait for the liquid to cool and disconnect the damaged, non-functional battery.

Clean the system or install a new battery.
Allow coolant to flow in and check the operation of the entire system.

Today, important parameters when choosing radiators and radiators are heat transfer and efficiency. Thoughtful solutions using the quality characteristics of metal make it possible to obtain not only durable, but also more practical elements for heating an apartment or room.

That's why many people strive to replace old cast iron batteries and install modern and more economical ones. In addition, the aesthetic appearance of the batteries is not the least important. Today there is a choice of batteries that are ideal for the interior, creating comfort and coziness in the room.

In any case, when selecting and repairing a heating system, it is important to correctly identify the cause and eliminate it before the onset of cold weather. In this way, it is possible to avoid freezing of the entire system, the repair of which will cost much more than an individual element.

What to do if the radiators in the apartment are cold, see the following video:

Temperature standards in residential premises

Temperature standards in residential premises are determined by law. They are at least +18 degrees and at least +20 in corner rooms. If the temperature is lower, you need to write a complaint to the housing office or to the management organization that provides utilities for your home.

The application is submitted in writing with a detailed description of the problem. Then the technician will take temperature measurements, determine the cause and, if necessary, recalculate the heating tariff. During an emergency shutdown, measurements are not taken.

If the heating equipment is broken or outdated, the owner must replace the radiators himself. To carry out work, you must obtain permission from the Housing Office! If the radiators do not heat due to the fault of the neighbors, the latter must fix the problem and repair the damage.

If the service organization is to blame for the problems, it must correct the violations within seven to ten days. In addition, they are required to recalculate the utility tariff and pay the difference. If the organization does not accept the application or does not want to recalculate, you can write a complaint against the management company. How to do this, see the link.

Questions about housing and communal services The battery in the apartment is cold, what should I do?

To your question “...What should I do? Where to contact? The housing office is not doing anything” - look at the answer to Maria’s question “How to deal with public utilities?” a few days ago. In the Nizhny Novgorod region, it is believed that the most effective way to fight with housing and communal services for your rights is to contact the main “plumber” - the governor of the region. So in one of the articles in the press they write: the increase in the number of complaints from citizens to the governor about the inaction of housing and communal services is evidence of the growth of trust and authority of the governor! True, I personally would like the growth of the governor’s authority to be the result not of an increase, but of a sharp decrease in complaints about housing and communal services. If plumbers do come to you, do not rush to immediately change the battery on their advice! This is their favorite trick - to rip off money for the battery. Demand that they first disassemble and repair the valves or clean the pipes on the supply to the battery. Good luck to you, Irina, and a hot battery! Yuri

You can answer briefly: the reason is the low water flow through the battery. You can answer in more detail, but it will be very long. There can be many reasons:

1. The inlet or outlet pipes of the batteries are clogged with deposits (rust, salts), or the batteries themselves are clogged.2. The valves in the basement through which the direct or return riser are connected to the main pipelines of direct or return water are faulty (or closed). Low consumption of coolant (hot water) throughout the house, or only through the risers of your entrance.4. Insufficient performance (power) of pumps in the boiler room, from which water is supplied to the heating system.5. Poor adjustment (adjustment) of the heating system of the neighborhood or your home.

In any case, contact the house management company. If the plumbers tell you, “We don’t know the reason,” tell them everything you think about these slackers and ignoramuses. If the plumbers do not fix the problem, write a letter of complaint to the house management company, the State Housing Inspectorate, the city administration, or the regional governor.

If there is a craftsman in the family or among neighbors whose “head and hands grow out of place,” show him the following text and ask him to try to determine the cause of cold batteries:

To determine why the flow rate is low, check:

- Are the batteries on other risers in your apartment heated well? - Are the batteries on the same riser in the apartments above or below you heated well? - Are the batteries in the neighboring entrances heated well?

If the batteries on other risers in your apartment, as well as in the apartments above or below, heat up normally, it is most likely that the valves at the inlet or outlet of a poorly heating battery are faulty, or the inlet or outlet pipes of this battery are clogged, or the battery itself is clogged.

If the radiators on the same riser in the apartments above or below you also warm up poorly, but on the neighboring risers it is good - this is most likely faulty (or covered) valves in the basement through which the direct or return riser is connected to the main pipelines of direct or return water . Or maybe the direct or return riser pipes are clogged.

If the radiators on all the risers in your apartment do not warm up completely, this is most likely due to the low flow of coolant (hot water) throughout the house, or only in the risers of your entrance. To make sure of this, go to your friends in another entrance - how do their batteries heat up?

If the entire neighborhood freezes, it’s the boiler house’s fault (CHP)

You can also write to the website, providing as much detail as possible - where and what in your apartment and in neighboring apartments and entrances it heats or does not heat. And what are the specific temperatures at the inlet and outlet of the battery and the air temperature in the apartment. If we can help with anything else, we don’t mind the advice.

Good luck in identifying the reasons why batteries do not heat well!

Basic malfunctions of heating systems and their elimination

Air jams

Air pockets occur in radiators and pipes and interfere with the normal circulation of water in the heating system. They appear for various reasons:

violation of the technology for filling the system with water after the summer period;
non-compliance with water deaeration regime;
performing repairs with disassembling pipelines;
failure to observe slopes when installing the heating system;
air leakage through leaky joints.

To remove air from the system, use a Mayevsky valve installed on the radiator. You should open it, wait until the air comes out, the hissing stops, and the water begins to pour out calmly without bubbles. After this, the valve is closed. Don't forget to provide a container or towel to drain the water.

Old cast iron batteries do not have Mayevsky taps. The air is released without completely unscrewing the plugs at the ends of the radiators. It is better to entrust this operation to plumbers - if you unscrew the plug completely, you can flood the apartment.

Incorrect connection and other reasons

We looked at two common reasons why half the battery does not heat up. However, there are many options why the radiator does not work. Each heating system and design is unique. They may become outdated and fail. In addition, correct installation, connection and operation are of great importance. Let's look at what problems you may encounter in this case.

Incorrect position of the valve on the bypass. The bypass is a section of pipe that connects the internal and return coolant supply before entering the radiator. It shuts off the water supply to make it easy to remove, wash or repair the battery, and then put it back

It is important that the bypass is not located far from the device and is in the closed position when the radiators are operating

Illiterate installation of the heating system will lead to many problems. So, the top will be warm and the bottom will be cold. The battery may completely fail and become cold. In addition, incorrect installation can lead to a pipe break and flooding the room with boiling water! Therefore, trust the installation only to professionals, even if it is a simple single-circuit heating Leningradka.

Regular malfunctions in the operation of radiators can be the result of incorrect selection of pipe diameters and radiator parameters, or incompatibility of the boiler and battery. Sometimes devices may be cold at the top or bottom, or may not heat well due to poor manufacturing. Choose reliable and proven products.

In order for the heating to work and heat as efficiently as possible, do not cover or sew up the radiators with anything. In extreme cases, you can install a wooden grille overlay

If the batteries are still protected, it is important that no parts touch the device, otherwise the heat will go into the structural element

Low pressure

Low supply and circulation pressure is often observed in modern narrow radiators due to narrow passages for moving, entering and exiting hot water. The pressure in the pipes may drop in an apartment building due to incorrect or unauthorized actions of neighbors.

The reason for the low pressure may be the illegal installation of a water floor connected to central heating, an uncoordinated increase in the number of sections and radiators, installation of a battery on the bypass (backup path) or the use of too high heating temperatures.

Additionally, the top and/or bottom of the battery may be cold due to an accident or problems on the central line. If the heating is turned off for this reason, the service company must fix the problem in residential areas above +12 degrees, at temperatures below ten degrees Celsius - within four hours.

What to do if the engine overheats

First of all, it should be remembered that if the overheating is short-term (for example, the temperature needle rises in a traffic jam), then you should observe whether the temperature will drop after you start driving (counter air flow appears) or as a result of turning on the radiator fan.

If the car was already in motion and the engine temperature reached a critical level, you should not immediately turn off the engine. Also, you should not try to cool the engine by pouring water on it from outside, pouring cold water into the radiator, etc. Such actions will lead to the need to repair the internal combustion engine, and it may be necessary to change the BC and cylinder head.

To “cool down” the engine, you will need to pull off the road (if possible), stop the car and then turn the heater on to maximum, while the engine must continue to idle.

Next, you need to wait a few minutes, while simultaneously inspecting for obvious and strong signs of antifreeze/antifreeze leakage under the car or in the engine compartment. If no leaks are visible, but the temperature does not drop, the unit must be turned off.

Please note that you need to immediately turn off the engine when steam starts coming out from under the hood; traces of intense coolant leakage are clearly visible. In this case, the engine must be stopped, without expecting that turning on the stove will reduce the heating

https://youtube.com/watch?v=0swgbqh-RkU

Just kidding, it's annoying!

– My God, how much did you spend on this dress? – I had to starve for two weeks, but what can’t you do for the sake of fashion!

Universal answers:

“I admire your ability to ask questions that baffle!” Or: “You are an amazing woman (amazing man), do you know what has always amazed me about you? This is your ability to ask incorrect (complex, rhetorical) questions!”

“I’ll be happy to answer your question, just tell me first why you’re so interested in this?”

“For what purposes are you interested?”

“Do you really want to talk about this?” If you hear an affirmative “Yes,” feel free to retort: “But I don’t want to,” and smile.

If you don't want to have anything more to do with a person who asks insensitive questions, you can afford a little more. For example, remark in response: “It’s my damn business.”

Based on materials from 5sfer.com

Solving key difficulties with a radiator and how to deal with problems

If you start to wonder: “Why is the heating radiator in the room at the top hot and cold at the bottom?”, then it’s time to take the necessary measures without delay.

Properly connected battery

To determine the cause, follow the following algorithm:

it is necessary to check the accuracy of the pipe connections;
look at the radiator itself;
release the air and clean the device;
it is necessary to check the condition of the valves for adjustment;
look through the pipes;
the pump needs to be checked.

Cold batteries, possible reasons why the radiator does not heat

The initial stage requires checking the correctness of the connection. First, estimate the temperature of the pipe section at the bottom of the radiator. If the device was connected incorrectly, the lower section of the pipe will be hot. To solve the problem, you need to turn off all the pipes and reconnect them according to the above principle. If you do everything correctly, the lower section of the pipe will be barely warm.

Very often, an air plug will appear in the radiator, which interferes with the normal heating process of the element. In order to solve the problem, the device must have an air vent or a separate seal for releasing air. To purge, you need to close the air supply, fully open the drain and release all the air. Afterwards, the tap must be returned to its previous position and the system valves must be turned. In most cases, this procedure gives the desired result.

If the system is equipped with an adjustment valve, then the problem may lie there. Remove the faucet and inspect it carefully. If you see a narrowing of its end, you will need to return the part to its original diameter using pliers. Most experts advise replacing the faucet immediately in order to increase the effective operation of the system.

If there is no tap, then most likely the problem is hidden in the pipes. We recommend removing the channels with a specialized removable wrench and cleaning them from corrosive damage and other contaminants. If the pipes are no longer suitable for use, replace them with new ones.

Often there is no high pressure in the system due to its design properties. You should find out about this when you buy a living space or a private house. To increase this indicator, change the outdated pump or purchase one if there is no pump as such. This will increase the speed of movement of the coolant and ensure more efficient operation of the entire system.

Thematic publications:

The heating radiator does not warm up completely!

Heating scheme of a one-story house with forced circulation

Why does the pressure in the heating system decrease?

The heating radiator is hot on top and cold on the bottom.

Preventing heating problems

Preventative work should be performed in the summer. It is better to combine them with major or current repairs. For the heating system to work properly, you need to:

analyze the heating operation in the previous winter, find weak points;
check the operation of shut-off valves, repair or replace faulty ones;
if Mayevsky taps or valves for supplying coolant to heating devices are missing, they should be installed;
check the slopes of the supply pipes, eliminate violations, if this is not possible, install Mayevsky taps in problem areas;
flush or replace radiators that did not heat up enough during the previous heating season.

Prepare your heating system for operation in the summer and the likelihood of failures will be greatly reduced.

Heating system efficiency

The main reasons for uneven heating
How can this be dangerous?
Ways to solve the problem

The main reasons for uneven heating

Batteries are an integral element of the room heating system, and the comfort of operation of residential and public buildings or various industrial buildings depends on its serviceability.

The most common reasons for uneven heating of heating radiators are: insufficient power of the circulation pump;

failure to comply with slopes and angles during the installation of the pipeline system;
incorrect thermostat mode; air lock;
battery distortions.

Correct calculations of the power of the heating boiler, as well as commissioning of the heating system, are of no small importance. Consider the fact that a slight temperature difference between the lower and upper parts is not a deviation

You should worry about a significant decrease in heating, it negatively affects the efficiency of the radiator

Please note that a slight temperature difference between the lower and upper parts is not a deviation. You should be concerned when the heating decreases significantly; it negatively affects the efficiency of the radiator.

How can this be dangerous?

The uniform heating of radiator batteries directly depends on the balance of the speed of the coolant and its temperature regime.

Incorrect operation of the heating system can cause:

quite strong and unpleasant noise and vibration;
disturbances in the acid-base balance of the thermal fluid;
increasing the corrosive effect on heating elements;
noticeable reduction in service life, as well as failure of batteries.

Ways to solve the problem

Not all heating system problems can be solved on their own. However, there are ways to bring radiators into working position.

To eliminate uneven heat output, you must perform the following steps:

Bleed air from the heating system.
Install an automatic air release valve.
Install a circulation pump of sufficient power.
Adjust the bypass.

It is important to annually flush the radiators and core, which very often become clogged during operation. If you cannot achieve uniform, stable heating of the radiator batteries on your own, then you should not delay in inviting qualified plumbing workers who can cope with problems of any level of complexity. published econet.ru

If you cannot achieve uniform, stable heating of the radiator batteries on your own, then you should not delay in inviting qualified plumbing workers who can cope with problems of any level of complexity. published econet.ru

If you have any questions on this topic, ask them to the experts and readers of our project here.

Popular reasons

In almost all radiators, the temperature at the bottom is slightly lower than at the top. This depends on the high level of heat transfer. In this case, the water cools down before leaving the battery. With a small temperature difference, there is no cause for concern. A slight deviation is quite normal. But if you notice that the lower part of the radiator is barely warm or completely cold, then you should find out the reason and take measures to eliminate the problem.

If you connect the radiator yourself, you can confuse the return and supply pipes. Also, if you use the services of an unqualified master, the following situation may arise. With such violations, the heating system is disrupted and the temperature at the bottom of the radiator drops.
Low water circulation speed inside the radiator. This problem has a bad effect on battery performance. Due to the low speed, the temperature cools down before leaving the radiator. There can be many reasons for this speed. It needs to be identified and eliminated immediately.

Useful tips

When starting the stage of restoring heating efficiency, you need to analyze the situation and determine the cause of the problem. The course of action is as follows:

Check the correctness of communications.
Check for air in the system and, if present, release it.
Inspect the heating device and clean the internal cavity.
Assess the functional condition of shut-off valves and control valves.
Determine the performance of the system, if necessary, change or install a more powerful pump.

If you find a situation where the bimetallic radiators are very hot at the top and cold at the bottom, it is worth checking the control valves (if any are provided for in the project). It is necessary to immediately remove such a unit and conduct a detailed inspection. If deposits are found that narrow the cross-section, they should be removed. However, the best option would be to replace the part with a new one.

Low system pressure also does not contribute to efficient heat transfer. This may be due to the pump, or its absolute absence. Therefore, it is not without reason that experts advise installing modern equipment. This is the only way to obtain high-quality heat supply.

Often on construction forums people complain about heating systems - the bottom of the radiator is cold and the top is hot. It is worth noting that any radiator on top is warmer than on the bottom, but if the gap between these temperatures is too large, then most likely there is something wrong with the system.

Moreover, this means that the battery provides less...

Air jams

The presence of air in the system is the main reason why the bottom of the battery is cold and the top is hot. Most often, this nuisance occurs among residents of apartment buildings on the upper floors. The air in the system tends upward, so if you live in the upper part of the building, you should install Mayevsky valves or drains.

You can read about how to bleed air from a cast iron battery here.

Mayevsky crane

The sequence of actions will be as follows:

Shut off the pipe that supplies hot water to the battery. The “return” must remain open.
Open the bleeder and wait until the air is completely out of the system.
Close the drain and resume water supply to the radiator.

In a private house, you can use an alternative scheme:

Turn off the heating supply.
Open the drain at the highest point of the heating system.
Use back pressure to remove any accumulated air.

If these recommendations do not bring the expected result, it is better to call a specialist to diagnose the entire system as a whole.

Air bleeder in new batteries

Shut-off valves do not work

Shut-off valves regulate and shut off the operation of the coolant. This includes ball valves, cone valves, thermal heads with electronic and mechanical control.

By the way, experts advise installing thermal heads on each radiator. So, you can regulate the temperature in each individual room. If you configure the system correctly and select the temperature wisely, you will save up to 30% on heating.

On the tap you can observe an arrow that indicates the correct direction of movement of the coolant. If taps or valves are installed incorrectly, circulation will be disrupted. In addition, for proper operation, the damper must be closed.

A malfunction in one of the elements in the shut-off valve disrupts the circulation of the coolant. As a result, the bottom of the radiator or the battery becomes completely cooler. If the last battery is cold or the radiators at the top are warm and the bottom is cold, check the serviceability of the shut-off valves. If there are any defects, contact a specialist.

Incorrect installation of the radiator

If the heating system is not connected professionally, the top of the radiator will heat up, but the bottom will remain cold. Installing a bypass and correct installation of shut-off valves requires special attention.

Note!

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Working pressure in the heating system in a private house: what it should be, how to create it, instructions for adjusting it yourself

How to clean clogged batteries

To clean the radiator from debris and dirt, you will have to remove the device and wash it. Before starting the procedure, prepare the area for cleaning. It is better to clean radiators outside or in the bathroom;
First cover the bathtub with a thick cloth and insert a protective mesh into the drain hole to avoid damage to the enamel surface of the plumbing fixtures and prevent clogging of the pipeline;
Close the valves and unscrew the nuts, carefully drain the remaining water, remove the radiator and place it outside or in the bathroom;
Tap each section with a hammer or mallet to help the rust and plaque fall off quickly. Then carefully shake out any accumulated debris from inside;
For washing, use a special sealed hose to clean the battery under high pressure. Simply rinsing the device under the tap or in a basin will not clean it. Special cleaning agents can also be used along with water. To be effective, pour hot water into the radiator and leave for half an hour, and then rinse;
If the radiator is severely clogged, most likely the other radiators are also clogged. In this case, you will have to wash each battery. Many bimetallic radiators are washed extremely rarely, so a large amount of solid particles and debris accumulates inside. In addition, plaque and rust may appear;
When cleaning yourself, be careful, as you can easily get burned due to the hot coolant. It is better to entrust the work to specialists. If you want to do the procedure yourself, you will find useful tips and tricks in the article “How to clean a radiator.”

Elimination

If you notice that the bottom is significantly colder than the top, then urgent action is required. It is necessary to follow the following algorithm to find the cause:

Checking the correct connection.
Inspect the radiator, bleed and clean it.
Assess the condition of the control valves.
Check the pipes.
Determine the type of heating system, install or replace the circulation pump.

The first step is to check the correct connection. To do this, it is necessary to estimate the temperature of the lower pipe. If the return and supply were connected incorrectly, it will be hot. You will need to reconnect and build the circuit correctly. When connected correctly, this element remains slightly warm.

Often the cause is an air lock in the battery, which does not allow the coolant to spread throughout the radiator. The design must include a Mayevsky valve or bleeder for air removal. It is necessary to shut off the supply, open the drain and remove all air and batteries. After the tap is turned off, the heating valves are turned. In some cases, this procedure turns out to be effective.

If an adjustment valve is installed in the system, then there is a high probability that the problem is there. It is necessary to dismantle this element and carry out an inspection. If the section is narrowed, you will need to expand it using specialized tools. But it is better to purchase a higher quality part and reinstall the tap into the system.

This article lists the main malfunctions that can happen to the heating system of a private home, as well as ways to eliminate them. Troubleshooting heating systems can be divided into two types. DIY heating system repair

can be done in part of the heating system wiring: radiators and fittings.
All problems that arise in the boiler room and equipment require special knowledge and experience, so heating system repairs
related to equipment to specialists.

Those questions that the owner of the house can solve himself are given below.

New bimetallic radiators have a cold bottom while the top is hot - possible reasons

As already noted, for all models the heating of the lower region is weaker than that of the upper. This is explained by the high heat transfer of the bimetal - the water has time to cool thoroughly during the passage. Hence the temperature difference, which worries owners so much.

When not to worry

But with such insignificant differences there should be no reason for concern - this is a normal situation, given the features of this type of device:

A single vertical channel in each section (for example, cast iron products have two).
Small channel diameter (little coolant), but effective heat transfer due to the special configuration of the fins.
Profiled convection channels between the ribs of the sections contribute to enhanced heat transfer, regardless of whether the battery is made by Italian or Russian.
The thin walls of the sections heat up quickly, but also cool down just as quickly. Therefore, if you have bimetallic radiators at home and the bottom is cold and the top is hot near the appliances, this property needs to be taken into account.

Probable causes of uneven heat transfer

Despite similar trends, each case must be considered individually

If we ignore three important factors: incorrect calculation of the power of the boiler, pump and number of batteries, then we should take into account the likelihood of the following problems:

Air jams are an inevitable consequence of measures to fill the structure with coolant. An additional symptom is gurgling or hissing sounds. The solution is the installation of a Mayevsky crane.
Clogging of heating appliances is the result of neglecting regular flushing of the system, especially in apartments with a central heating system.
Unsatisfactory coolant circulation - if distant heating units do not heat up well, then it is worth considering this reason, in particular in systems with natural circulation. To solve the problem when bimetallic radiators are hot at the top and too cold at the bottom, installing a circulation pump will help.
Incorrect operation of the heating structure is a fairly common factor when the bypass is not adjusted. Even experienced home craftsmen who know how to properly install a battery with their own hands make mistakes when performing commissioning work.
Problems with shut-off valves - proper installation of these units does not guarantee that over time the mechanism or electronic components will not fail.

Insufficient water pressure in the system

As you know, all heating systems are divided into two main types: gravity (gravity) and forced. In the latter case, a water pump is installed, which drives the coolant through the pipes, thereby ensuring uniform heating of the radiators throughout the house.

In the gravitational scheme, movement is achieved due to the difference in density of cold and hot water. In this case, the boiler should be installed at the lowest point, and the expansion tank at the top. This option for installing a heating system can answer the question of why one battery is hot and the other is cold. The thing is that hot water warms up radiators located in close proximity to the boiler, while those located far from it lack coolant movement and do not heat up.

The solution in this case would be to install a circulation pump, which will provide additional acceleration to the hot water moving through the pipes. It is better to perform the installation through a bypass; this will allow, in the event of a breakdown, to remove the device without draining the system and stopping the heating.

Where to write complaints if there is no heating?

There is no need to wait for the three-day period to expire. The heating issue must be resolved by all available means. One of them is to file administrative complaints with regulatory authorities, including by telephone. The first step is to prepare the text of the complaint. They can be sent by mail or online.

Here is a list of organizations to call about heating:

Territorial department of housing inspection.
Rospotrebnadzor.

If you file a complaint by mail, you must attach to the application copies of documents that confirm the illegality of the actions of the management company or service provider. It is necessary to attach a copy of the report on the lack of heating and an appeal to the organization, which remained unanswered.

Option No. 1 - contacting the housing inspectorate

Utility workers are afraid of citizens turning to the housing inspectorate, so before submitting a request for an inspection, call the head of the management company. Offer to reconsider your claim, having first mentioned the registration number; perhaps the problem will be resolved at this stage.

If there is no reaction, then you need to write an application to the housing inspectorate using this sample. It needs to be supplemented with personal data, the address of residence, as well as the location of the management company. The complaint must be sent by registered mail with notification

If you send a complaint via the Internet, then first you need to go to the website of the housing inspectorate, to which the location of the management company is located.

Next, the process will be described using the example of the State Housing Property Department of Moscow.

On the website you need to find a section where citizens’ requests are accepted. It is located on the main page. Next, you need to click on the “Appeals from Citizens” section and select “Electronic Reception” from the list that opens.

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On the page that opens, you need to pause and study the rules for submitting an electronic appeal. After reading the submission rules, you must click on the link below the rules.

After this, a form will open that needs to be filled out.

At the bottom of the form you need to attach scanned documents, as well as write the text of the appeal. The text cannot exceed 4,000 characters. The size of the attached file cannot exceed 50 MB. It is acceptable to attach photos

It is imperative to indicate the method for receiving a response from the State Housing Inspectorate. The result of the application will be sent by email if you indicate this in the application. It is possible to receive a response by registered mail, but in this case you will have to wait much longer for the result. On average, it takes from 2 to 5 days to process one complaint.

After processing the application, the State Housing Property Inspectorate will check the activities of the management company. If violations are confirmed, the State Housing Property Committee may revoke the license issued to the management company. Without it, the organization will not be able to continue its activities. .

Option No. 2 – complaint to Rospotrebnadzor

You can write an appeal using the text that was compiled for the complaint to the State Housing Inspectorate. It is necessary to make minor corrections, indicating a violation of consumer rights, since the management company does not fulfill its duties.

The text of the complaint must reflect the request for an inspection. Next, attach copies of documents to the text of the complaint and send them by registered mail.

You can also write to Rospotrebnadzor on its official website or through the government services portal. The complaint process will be shown using the second method. To do this, you need to be registered on the appropriate portal.

You need to log into your personal account and click on the “Service Catalog” tab. From the list that opens, you must select the “Authorities” section. This tab contains the necessary supervisory authority

In the list of services that opens, you must select the fifth item from the top. After this, you will be taken to a tab with information about the service, where at the bottom there will be a link to go to the organization’s website. On the website you need to find an electronic reception, and then select the territorial department of Rospotrebnadzor. The system will take you to the desired site where you need to fill out the form.

Option No. 3 – lawsuit

Another effective way to force the management company to fulfill its obligations is to file an administrative claim in court. To do this, you need to use the services of a lawyer who has experience in courts with management companies. It is very important to find a specialist who understands housing law.

He needs to show all receipts, documents, requests and recordings of conversations. Together with a lawyer, it is necessary to draw up a claim, which will stipulate all claims against the company. In addition, the text of the document must contain demands for reimbursement of costs incurred by the consumer due to the lack of heating.

An example text of the statement of claim is as follows. The claim must be accompanied by a list of documents confirming material expenses. If exacerbations of chronic diseases occurred during the shutdown period, you should attach a certificate from a medical institution

If problems with heat supply arise in an apartment building, then you need to involve your neighbors and write a collective statement. The claims of owners and responsible tenants will most likely be satisfied by the court. The defendant will be required to comply with the court decision.

Option No. 4 – application to the local prosecutor’s office

If the heating situation has not returned to normal, you must contact the prosecutor's office. In addition to the management company, inspections will also be carried out on requests that remained unanswered by the supervisory authorities.

You can only submit an application to the prosecutor's office in person. To do this, you need to find out the address and come with ready-made documents. You need to write an application for an urgent inspection at the management company. Copies of unanswered requests must be attached to the application.

Option No. 5 – contacting the President’s reception

If there is no response from the prosecutor's office, you need to write to the president's reception. This can be done on the website by filling out the electronic form. Once a complaint is received, it will be reviewed and a decision will be made to order inspections, forwarding it to the relevant supervisory authorities.

You can write a collective appeal. To draw up a complaint, you can use an existing sample or write it in any form. You need to attach photographs and copies of supporting documents, this will reduce the time to receive a response.

Where to go if there is blowing from the walls?

In order to understand the reasons for the presence of drafts, you can contact:

To the owners of residential premises (if the building is managed by the owners of the premises (the number of apartments should be no more than 30));
To the management company (hereinafter referred to as the management company);
To the homeowners' association (hereinafter referred to as the HOA), responsible for the maintenance of the house (clause 2 of article 161 of the Housing Code of the Russian Federation).

A request (appeal) can be sent as follows:

The owner or user of the premises in an apartment building;
By mail,
Via electronic message to the email address;
Using the state information system for housing and communal services (Article 35 of the “Rules for the maintenance of common property in an apartment building”).

The appeal must be considered within the framework of the current legislation of the Russian Federation, after which a specialist will be sent to you to inspect the condition of the wall and eliminate the causes of drafts.

When examining the condition of the walls, it may be discovered that the presence of drafts is the fault of the developer

. According to the Federal Law “On participation in shared construction of apartment buildings and other real estate and on amendments to certain legislative acts of the Russian Federation”, from the date of transfer of the shared construction object, the guarantee for the structural elements of the building remains for 5 years. Thus, if there are problems and defects in the walls, the owner of the real estate has the right to take advantage of the guarantee and contact the developer with a request to eliminate these defects.

To do this, you must contact the developer in writing with a request to eliminate the identified deficiencies. In accordance with the law “On participation in shared construction”, the developer is obliged to eliminate identified shortcomings (defects) during the warranty period. If the developer refuses to satisfy the requirements out of court in whole or in part, then the participant in shared construction has the right to file a claim in court.

If the responsibility for eliminating wall defects lies with the management company or HOA, then it is necessary to contact them with a demand. If your appeal does not bring results, you can file a claim

. The management company or HOA must promptly consider the complaint and give a written response to the complainant, as well as take appropriate actions to correct the violations.

If the complaint has not been answered or a formal response has been sent, then the next step is to contact the authorities that supervise and control the activities of management companies and homeowners associations:

Housing inspection;
Rospotrebnadzor;
The prosecutor's office.

Circumstances may develop such that contacting the above authorities will not help solve the problem, in which case you will have to sue the management company or the HOA.

Application for recalculation

Before drawing up an application for recalculation for heat, it is necessary to record the fact of inappropriate thermal conditions in the residential premises. The fact can be certified by an act that is drawn up when measuring the thermal conditions by employees of the housing office or management company.

Another option would be to involve two neighbors, the one who lives in the building or the one who lives in the house, when taking measurements. If these persons are present, you can draw up a report on measuring the temperature, which can subsequently be an appendix to the application for recalculation of payment for heat.

The act indicates the exact address, characteristics of the living space and current thermal conditions. The main problem is the quality of the equipment used, which must be verified. And the date of verification is indicated in the act, which will be recognized as the basis for recalculating payment for utility services.

Attention! A standard sample application for recalculation of payment for utility services should contain the following list:

name of the addressee and sender of the application;
basis for recalculating payment for the service. Usually this is a mismatch in thermal conditions. It is imperative to record the date and time at which temperature deviations were recorded. Otherwise, no recalculation will be made;
a requirement to carry out a recalculation indicating the period for which it must be carried out;
consequences in case of refusal. Indicate the consequences that may arise if the management company refuses to satisfy the applicant’s demands with reference to the law (forfeits and penalties);
a list of attachments that confirm all the circumstances specified in the application. In this case - a report on measuring the thermal regime.

Please note that the act must be drawn up correctly and without corrections or clerical errors. After all, it is the main basis for recalculation for utility services

Before drawing up an act or application for recalculation, consult with representatives of the housing office or management company, otherwise problems may arise.

A decision on such an application is made within two weeks from the date of its submission. You can attach to the application the calculations that you made, which will serve as a kind of reconciliation.

At the time of submitting the application, you must provide 2 copies so that your copy is stamped by the employee confirming the acceptance of the document by the organization with the number of incoming correspondence and the date of registration.

ATTENTION! Look at the completed sample application for recalculation of utilities:

Who should be responsible for replacing or repairing unusable batteries?

How to find someone responsible for battery maintenance and repair?

Now that all readers of our resource understand who owns the heating radiators in apartment buildings and under what circumstances, we can also consider the procedures relating to their repair or replacement.

In fact, the situation in this matter is outrageously simple - whose battery is responsible for it, or rather, undertakes:

repair and replace in a timely manner;
monitor its condition in order to prevent emergency situations;
when the latter occur, eliminate the resulting consequences (for example, compensate for material damage to residents below who suffered from a break in the old radiator).

It is worth noting that if the actual owner does not want to repair or change the faulty battery, his opponent in legal relations has every right to go to court, which will resolve all controversial issues.

When resorting to judicial debate on the “battery” issue in the MKD, it is important to take into account that the judicial body, when rendering a verdict, will focus specifically on the previously mentioned radiator valve. Therefore, if you are in a disadvantageous position, suing is not only pointless, but truly stupid.

This is largely due to the fact that the court verdict obliges the losing party not only to repair the battery, but also to reimburse all expenses of his opponent in legal proceedings that were incurred during the legal debate. Are you interested in this prospect? Most likely no.

Who is responsible for heating the apartment and supplying heat?

In addition to the nuances presented above, the “radiator” issue in MKD has one more feature.

It consists of the procedure for replacing batteries. Many apartment building residents are interested in whether they have the right to spontaneously hold this event or not?

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To better understand the essence of this procedure, let's look at the order of its implementation for two possible outcomes of events:

The first option is the owner of the battery, the owner of the apartment. In this situation, the latter has every right to change radiators at his own discretion, but to carry out this procedure he must:

Notify about future replacement of the Criminal Code;
Coordinate with the expert the procedure, since making major changes to the configuration of the heating system of an apartment building, even in a separate apartment, requires obtaining a special permit from the government agency authorized in urban planning activities.

After carrying out the above measures, the owner of the apartment can carry out a replacement, naturally, at his own expense.

The second option is that the battery is in common ownership and either the management company or the homeowners’ association is responsible for its operation. In this case, in addition to the previously presented measures, authorized persons must obtain written permission from the apartment owners to replace the radiator. The exception is situations when the battery is in poor condition and may burst at any time; in such circumstances, permission from the owners is not required.

As you can see, answering most of the questions that arise regarding “radiator” disputes in MKD is not so difficult if you know some of the legislative nuances of this topic. We hope the material presented above was useful to you. Good luck in defending your rights!

You can learn how to replace heating batteries by watching the video:

Watch this video on YouTube

Sample complaint to the heating management company

In order for a complaint about cold batteries to be accepted for consideration, and the causes of the incident to be eliminated, you must follow the writing rules:

The complaint must be structured, written in legally competent language, without emotional overtones.
Only facts that can be supported by evidence should appear.
If a collective complaint is planned, then it should have as many signatures as possible. To do this, they hold a meeting of those living in the entrance or in the house and jointly discuss the initiative to create a claim.
For further movement through the authorities, you will need proof of application. Therefore, the complaint must be sent by registered mail with notification by mail or brought to the reception office of the Criminal Code, register two copies and keep one for yourself.

How to make a claim

A claim to the Criminal Code is drawn up similarly to any other government authorities. The document contains:

The so-called “header”, which lists the manager’s full name, name of the management company, data of the initiators of the complaint: their full name, addresses.
Below is the name of the document – Complaint or Claim.
In the main part, you need to set out the circumstances: from what period the problems with heating began, what temperature was recorded in the apartment, the entrance, what actions were taken by the residents to turn it on.
It is necessary to inform about your intention to apply for protection of rights to government authorities if the issue is not resolved at this level.
At the end of the claim, the participants are listed and their signatures are placed.
Attached to the complaint will be documents on ownership of the apartment, acts of temperature measurements, paid receipts for heating, and heat supply contracts.

These rules can be used as a sample or template for writing a complaint against the Criminal Code. The application form can be obtained from the official websites of government agencies.

IMPORTANT! Anonymous complaints will not be considered.

Where to complain about heating being turned off in winter

This is a serious crime that jeopardizes the performance of the entire heating system of a district or settlement. If it freezes, it will be impossible to restore the heat supply until the end of winter. This is especially true in areas where low temperatures prevail.

Such situations usually cause wide resonance, including in the media. Therefore, residents must publicize such blatant violations.

Where to call

If the heating is turned off, you need to immediately call the management company, the resource supply organization and the local administration. They are no less interested in restoring the heat supply than the residents; their managers will be punished, including removal from office, for such omissions.

Phone numbers can be found on monthly receipts for maintenance and heating payments, and on information boards near the house.

If the problem is serious and cannot be resolved at the local level, it is necessary to involve government authorities.

Rospotrebnadzor has set up a hotline at 8-800-100-0004 . The call is free from anywhere in Russia. Hotlines of other government agencies are distributed by region and can be found on official websites.

IMPORTANT! A response to the complaint will be given within 30 days.

Help! I can't figure out the battery

The top of the battery is warm, even after I pumped 70 liters of water out of it. and so that the bottom heats up, I turn the tap at the top to a vertical position and drain it. While I’m draining it heats up, but as soon as you stop draining, then after about 10 minutes everything is cold at the bottom again. what to do.

Is the photo sideways or is the radiator still standing? Draw a diagram.

I turn the bottom tap vertically and leave the top one so I drain the battery at the top and it becomes boiling water. At the top, I open the tap vertically at the bottom (horizontally) and drain it. the bottom gets hot. if the taps are like in the photo, then at the top it’s only a little warm and at the bottom there’s ice even right next to the tap

First, turn the photo the way it really is!

Or will all the specialists turn their heads on one side to try to help you? Otherwise, we can advise you to continue draining the water, and more, so that the radiator warms up!

What is the supply, what is the heating scheme, what is the floor, what is the house, what was originally designed, what is hidden in the walls and a thousand other details.

This is in your interests, not mine. The more detailed you can be, the more detailed and high-quality advice you can get from the local specialists.

Hydraulic calculation of heating systems. Heat calculation (calculation of insulation) of houses and apartments. Contacts in profile.

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