Adjusting a gas boiler: recommendations for setting up the device for correct operation

Can't find the instructions? Did the recommendations in the brochure not help you? You have the opportunity to read our article about setting up boilers.If you don't know how to handle gas equipment, you need a specialist. But you must admit, it doesn’t hurt to save time and money over and over again thanks to knowledge of the basic settings. Effectively adjusting a gas boiler is much simpler than it might seem.

From the article you will understand the principles of adjusting pressure, thrust and power during operation of the device. Find out the probable causes of problems along with options for eliminating them. If you need to tune the boiler, use our materials. Do not forget about the safety rules, and you will successfully configure the device and fix minor problems.

You should be interested in the settings of a gas boiler long before purchasing, taking into account your needs and various features. We have written which parameters can or should be changed in the device you are using. The new device should be configured and prepared for operation, and some undesirable aspects can be corrected.

Setting up boiler automation and pressure

Reconfiguration is performed if the automation operates too often. This problem is called clocking, and it occurs due to an excessive increase in coolant temperature. Reduce the gas supply to the main burner, this will protect the boiler from wear.

The method also has a backup option - just twist the tap in front of the boiler. Remember that incomplete combustion of fuel leads to an increase in the volume of flue gases and smoke.

Space for a gas boiler in the kitchen
Installation location of the boiler in the kitchen: gas can be reduced by tap after the connection, as well as on lowering, if this does not interfere with the operation of the stove and other gas appliances

To get rid of clocking, move room thermostat (if any) to a colder place or reduce the air temperature at the installation site. Increase the amount of coolant in the heating system. Replace the main burner if clocking occurs due to its increased power.

Problems with automation and frequent shutdowns are observed under the following circumstances:

  • voltage has dropped or jumped;
  • a strong wind extinguished the burner;
  • the permeability of the chimney has decreased;
  • gas pressure has decreased.

To improve the operation of the automation, move the handle of the automatic block (gas valve) to the “spark” position. The igniter (pilot burner, pilot burner) will light up. Leave the knob in this position for 30 seconds, then return it to the “off” position - white circle.

Boilers are produced with thermostats (temperature regulators), daily and weekly programmers. The thermostat turns off the boiler when the set temperature is reached, then the device turns on automatically. While the owners are away, they can rely on a regulator with a 7-day operating period. The daily device eliminates the need for constant monitoring of the boiler.

Computherm Q7 temperature programmer
Weekly programmer for Computherm Q7 gas boilers, on which you can select a sensitivity threshold, set parameters for the transition between heating and cooling, and lock buttons

The pressure is adjusted on the automatic block. For example, take Eurosit 630. The unit maintains the water temperature in the heating circuit and stops the gas supply in a dangerous situation.The Eurosit 630 has a handle that rotates and has 7 flame modes - move it to position “1”, remove the cover and tighten the screw on the left under the handle. Turn it clockwise - the gas supply will be smaller and smoother, and the automation will work better.

Also set the maximum mode. Point the knob at “7” and tighten the screw on the bottom of the unit, now counterclockwise. Reducing the flame level will reduce the gas pressure and the efficiency of the boiler burner at the same power setting.

First determine the required sides on the auto block. Consider the surface with the handle to be lateral. The unit is installed in different ways: sometimes this side is on the side, sometimes on top. Do not confuse the correct screws (gold plated) with the fasteners.

The pressure needs to be reduced in the following cases:

  • the flame goes out soon after igniting;2
  • on ignition there is cotton;
  • the flame goes beyond its allotted limits;
  • red or red-orange color of fire.

The pressure usually increases in winter: gas distribution companies raise the value from 200 to 280 mm water column. Install a pressure regulator or reduce the flow through the lowering.

Preparing the boiler for operation

The device is adjusted after installation, ignition and long-term inactivity. After installation, all sensors and fuses are checked and the functionality of the components is checked.

Gasman working with a boiler
The connection and first setup of the gas boiler must be carried out by employees of the company with which the maintenance agreement was signed: they are required to check all key indicators and sensors, test the device in operation and provide instructions

When starting the boiler, there are five steps to follow:

  1. Warm up the device.
  2. Fully open chimney damper.
  3. Adjust the flame to full power, to the blue and yellow segments.
  4. Close the valve when lowering until the yellow part of the fire is removed.
  5. Check the operating modes and automation that is responsible for safety.

The same is done after installation.

Boilers require regular cleaning. After a break in the operation of the device, the chimney is filled with insects and spiders. Inspect the pipe and fan, remove small animals. Remove deposits of combustion products and ice. Clean soot from the combustion chamber. When dirty, it causes ignition problems.

For the same reason, it is worth removing dirt from the insulator where the wire that goes into the combustion chamber is located. Clean the element with a soft cloth. Remove large amounts of dirt with solvent. Dry the insulator before restarting the boiler.

Delete on time scale from the walls of heat exchangers. If the boiler does not heat the water well, also flush the heating circuit. Fill with hot water and add mineral deposit remover. Check the operation of the flow sensor, and if everything is fine with it, use the boiler.

How to adjust the draft in the boiler?

The draft weakens over time, so check it in the device and the chimney. Look through the viewing window. Clean the soot discharge paths. Bad weather worsens draft: gases do not always escape completely, and incoming air can disrupt the operation of the burner. Inspect the structure of the chimney, compare it with the requirements for SNiP 2.04.05-91.

Chimney deflector
The deflector improves draft in the chimney, as it creates the effect of a pressure drop, and in addition to it, smoke fans and chimney weather vanes are also used

The draft regulator (gate) is installed when there is excess draft. In this regard, the opposite problem arises. The chimney cools down excessively and gradually becomes covered with condensation from the inside.The pipe becomes clogged from the accumulation of soot and ice. If you forget to turn the slide at least once every 2-3 days, then this device deteriorates, changing open/close positions becomes impossible.

Select a draft regulator according to the principle: the longer the length or height of the chimney, the smaller the diameter of the damper compared to the same indicator of the pipe. Then the chimney will last longer.

There are also combustion regulators, which are sometimes called mechanical draft regulators and bellows. thermostats. Devices of this type are often installed on solid fuel devices, but they are also used on gas devices - a water thermostat - there is no chain on it. Units for gas boilers do not affect the regulation of draft in the chimney.

Setting the combustion regulator for a gas boiler looks like this:

  1. Before installation, drain the water from the boiler, and if the heating system cannot be isolated with taps, then remove all coolant.
  2. Remove the plug and screw in the regulator instead.
  3. Then fill the system with coolant and light the burners.
  4. Turn the knob to the desired temperature position.

Refer to the marks on the flywheel if the exact temperature is not displayed on the regulator. In summer, set exactly in the middle of the gap between low and medium values. In winter - between medium and high.

Gate valve with large gate
Gate with a valve: such draft regulators are used along with devices with an internal valve, which can be turned with an external handle

Before settling on any optimal value, check all temperature settings.

Setting up the incendiary device

Prepare pliers, a multimeter, screwdrivers, open-end wrenches and alcohol. Carefully remove the terminals, short them together and tighten them with pliers. Start the pilot burner.Take this into account and check the resistance with a multimeter. If the value is not 1-2 ohms, replace the draft meter with a new one. If within normal limits, clean the sensor with a cotton swab soaked in alcohol. Reinstall and check if the ignition device works.

Sometimes the problem remains. In this case, inspect the thermocouple breaker (traction breaker): remove the terminals and determine the resistance. If the value does not correspond to 3 Ohms, use open-end wrenches.

Using tool #9, remove the nut that connects the breaker and thermocouple. Then, using wrench No. 12, unscrew the traction breaker half a turn. Then take the contact insert and remove the breaker. Connect the solenoid valve and thermocouple with wrench No. 9. Check the ignition. If it does not turn on, the problem is in the thermocouple.

Remove the fasteners between the thermocouple and the pilot burner with a No. 10 wrench and check the electromotive force of the thermoelement with a voltmeter. In the case of a working thermocouple, simply wipe the connection to the breaker with alcohol and put everything back together.

Handheld multimeter
A portable multimeter performs the functions of a tester, ohmmeter, ammeter and voltmeter: devices are digital, analog, sometimes in the form of a clamp meter

Gas is supplied to the boiler as follows:

  1. The gas enters a mesh filter, which cleans the fuel from solid microparticles.
  2. The fuel flows further when the valve and solenoid valve are open.
  3. Gas enters the pilot burner.
  4. The ignited igniter produces a flame for the main burner and the thermocouple.

The control system starts the flame on the main burner if there is also a fire on the pilot burner. Stops the fuel supply in the absence or severe decrease in draft in the chimney.An automatic control circuit provides maximum safety when supplying gas to boilers and other similar devices.

Adjusting the power of a gas boiler

In this case, the task is to reduce or increase the indicator. The indirect method of adjustment involves reducing the supply through the taps: the one located after the supply to the boiler and the one on the downstream side. The range of regulation will decrease, so it is better to prefer direct methods.

To increase power, select an option:

  1. Adjust the burner to the desired indicator - relevant for modulating units.
  2. Buy a more efficient burner.
  3. Replace the injectors with larger ones. Remember, with an increase in heat transfer from the boiler, gas consumption will increase, the risk of breakdown ahead of schedule, and the efficiency will decrease.

Ideally, it is better to entrust the adjustment to increase power to a boiler specialist. The increase in power for these options reaches 15%. If this is not enough, use additional devices to heat the rooms. Remember to clean the boiler to maintain power levels.

Atmospheric burner tubes
Tubes with micro-torches for an atmospheric burner - such a device operates almost silently, but is characterized by low power, dries out the air in the room and depends on a large number of external factors

Sometimes you have to reduce power. First, it is adjusted through the menu: by parameters of the heat exchanger temperature and anti-cycling time. Then set up circulation pump. If necessary, change the burner to a modulating one.

Reasons for changing boiler power:

  1. Increase: it is necessary to re-equip the device at the same time as increasing the power, connect an indirect heating boiler, the heating area has increased.
  2. Reduction: refusal of one of the functions (heating or hot water supply), part of the functionality (heating of individual rooms, heated floors), reduction in boiler performance.

If there is excessive fuel consumption, it is worth inspecting the secondary heat exchanger and removing residual salts manually or with a chemical compound. Contamination will be indicated by a characteristic gurgling sound when the boiler is operating.

Consumption increases due to the low specific heat of combustion (calorific value) of the gas. The norm is no less than 7,600 kcal m³. Poorly dried fuel's calorific value drops by almost half.

Set up also gas valve. They are regulated depending on the structure:

  • single-stage ones have only “on” and “off” positions;
  • two-stage valves are equipped with 1 inlet and 2 outlets, and they open in an intermediate position;
  • three-stage boilers have two power levels;
  • With the help of modeling valves, power can be adjusted more smoothly; they have many flame modes, in addition to the “on” and “off” positions.

Look at the color of the flame. If there is a noticeable yellow part, tighten the lower valve to reduce the fuel supply.

Gas valve 845 SIGMA
845 SIGMA Multi-Function Gas Valve with Power Modulation, Outlet Pressure Regulator and Fuel Control Module - Accommodates a variety of threads and flanges

Set the heating operating temperature on the thermostat again. The principle of its operation is that the rod is turned on. As the temperature drops, the element shrinks and opens the fuel supply. An increase in temperature leads to an increase in the rod, causing gas to flow in a smaller volume.

If there is a lack of air, inspect the damper, boost and temperature regulator.A popping sound when igniting the main burner appears due to clogged air supply paths. Remove dust from them and inlet openings.

Conclusions and useful video on the topic

Adjusting the power of a gas boiler:

Setting up a room thermostat - lt08 models:

Detailed settings in the Bosch Gaz 6000 W boiler menu:

Now you know what kind of regulation boilers need. Do you understand how you can influence gas consumption? You can adjust the power of a gas boiler and its components without calling a technician. Take care of your device so that you can use what you learn only for adjustments and not for repairs. Do only what you can do. If necessary, contact a boiler specialist. Call emergency numbers if there is danger.

Write comments about setting up gas boilers. Write about the criteria by which you chose your device, about the quality of the device. Tell us how you tune your boiler and how often you do it. The feedback form is located below.

Visitor comments
  1. Alexei

    Good evening! I read the article. I learned a lot for myself, but I still have questions. Please tell me:

    — How can you adjust the Minisit 710 automation to reduce gas consumption?
    — How to measure incoming and outgoing gas pressure?
    - What instruments are used to measure this? I read that it was a pressure gauge, but what kind? Is a car suitable?
    — How does adjusting the low flame affect consumption?
    — And what should the pump speed be? More or less for normal timing?

    That seems to be all for now. If there is anything else, can I write to you? Thank you.

  2. Alexei

    I forgot to say: floor-standing boiler Lemax 25.

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