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[Marleywood]

Hi,

So, I'm shutting down my furnace for the season. Central Boiler CL-5648.  I've let the fire burn down, and made the required plumbing valve changes on my oil heat system for "oil only" (hot water heating).   I don't think it's going to get below freezing again, but I'm wondering if I should keep the pump on the furnace running to circulate heat to the boiler, just to be safe?  This is my first season with this system, so forgive a n00b!  Any suggestions appreciated. 

[E Yoder]

Not sure how your system is plumbed but if you can let the pump run til it's warm it wouldn't hurt. Wouldn't need to necessarily dump heat back out to the furnace, just circulate to protect a valve or fitting.

[slimjim]

Do you have a plate exchanger on your system?

[RSI]

Unless it gets down to the low 20's overnight there isn't any need to leave the pump running.

[Marleywood]

Do you have a plate exchanger on your system?

I believe the answer is "yes", I believe it's in a utility room in my garage that also has the oil furnace that heats the apartment over the garage (separate from the main house oil system, but the OWF heats all when it's in-line.

[aarmga]

I always leave my pump run if the forecast calls for freezing temps.  My furnace will keep the water around 100 degrees with the pump on medium speed.  It does however cost about 25% more on the gas bill doing it like that but it's a piece of mind for me.

[Marleywood]

What's the best way to turn the pump off when I'm no longer worried about freezing temps...unplug it?  There is a power disconnect switch of some sort on the panel, but it seems to saying something about being used to turn off power before servicing any of the electronic innerds...

[aarmga]

I'm sure my stove is a little more simple than yours but I completely unplug the pump.  Then I unscrew the flush out plug on the center of the motor/cartridge and let water run through for 10-15 seconds

Edit:  I also flush the pump out before I start it up for the winter as well.

[Marleywood]

I'm sure my stove is a little more simple than yours but I completely unplug the pump.  Then I unscrew the flush out plug on the center of the motor/cartridge and let water run through for 10-15 seconds

Edit:  I also flush the pump out before I start it up for the winter as well.

From what I understand, my furnace is pretty "basic",  unplugging the pump seems to be the simplest way to go....

[aarmga]

That's what I would do!  Don't forget to flush out the bearing!

[Marleywood]

Don't forget to flush out the bearing!

Don't know what that is or means....   

[aarmga]

There is a screw, usually flat head, in the center of the pump.  Unscrew that and let the water flow out for 20-30 seconds then screw it back in.  Do this after the season is over and before you start the pump in the fall to keep the water fresh and the debris out.

[mlappin]

I hadn’t had mine fired up for well over a week, when I refired it the other night water was still over 80 degrees, it would have to get pretty chilly for an extended amount of time to ever have the water in your system to get cold enough to freeze.