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Buzzing noise from UFH manifold

Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators & Controls

Last Post by Derek M 3 years ago

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novemberRomeo

(@novemberromeo)

Estimable Member Member

Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 33

Topic starter 12/01/2023 9:27 pm

Our heat pump was installed in November 21 and was connected to our existing UFH system. All has been working well, but in the last week or two I’ve noticed a loud buzzing noise coming from the UFH manifold when the kitchen is calling for heat.

it’s a strange noise, it reminds me of an old dot matrix printer printing. I’ve uploaded a clip so you can hear what I mean:

https://youtube.com/shorts/F5N6KFYcJw8?feature=share

does anyone have any ideas what is causing the noise, and what I should do to stop it? As far as I can tell, the heating is still working as normal

i’ve discovered that turning the flow rate valve on the kitchen supply does temporarily stop the noise, but when I put it back to the original position the noise starts again after a short while.

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AllyFish

(@allyfish)

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Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 514

13/01/2023 8:49 am

Wow! ASHPs need to deliver more flow than conventional fired boiler heating systems, as they operate a much lower delta T supply and return temperature. For many retrofits, including wet rad and UFH, that usually means the existing piping system ends up with higher velocities than before. Velocities above certain speeds will start to generate audible noise. It's not normally practical to increase the piping sizes for retrofits, so you may have to adjust some flow rates to stop noisy valves and pipework where the flow is higher.

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novemberRomeo

(@novemberromeo)

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Joined: 4 years ago

Posts: 33

Topic starter 13/01/2023 9:25 am

That makes sense, but I don't see why it would only start making a noise now - 14 months after installing the system. Up until now it's been running fine without any noise. I was wondering whether it could be the sound of air in the system, or something like that? Maybe that is a non-issue for these systems? We have no radiators, UFH throughout.

This post was modified 3 years ago by novemberRomeo

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AllyFish

(@allyfish)

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Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 514

13/01/2023 10:20 am

Maybe a bit of wear and tear? Bleed the system of air, it's not something you want in the system. I have one TRV that quietly 'sings' when it modulates down, and it's in our bedroom!!

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Derek M

(@derek-m)

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Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 4427

13/01/2023 5:37 pm

Posted by: @novemberromeo

↑

That makes sense, but I don't see why it would only start making a noise now - 14 months after installing the system. Up until now it's been running fine without any noise. I was wondering whether it could be the sound of air in the system, or something like that? Maybe that is a non-issue for these systems? We have no radiators, UFH throughout.

You have partially answer the question yourself, in that it has been working fine for 14 months without making any noise, so I don't think that the actual pipework may be at fault.

Is the noise coming from the flow regulation valve or the valve associated with the solenoid valve?

I am not that familiar with UFH systems, but it sounds like it could be some debris inside the valve or some part of the valve internals is working loose.

Is it still under warranty?

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