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What is the optimal condensation temperature for a CO furnace?

slavuta 263877 127
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At what return temperature does condensation start in a condensing gas boiler, and should that temperature be measured on the return or the supply side?

Condensation starts when the return temperature drops below the dew point, which the thread repeatedly gives as about 57°C; the lower the return temperature, the better the condensation effect [#10016116] [#20837361] The temperature to watch is the return temperature back to the boiler, not the supply temperature [#10016116] [#20837814] Several replies stress that there is no single “best” fixed value: keep the return as low as practical while still heating the house properly [#10022476] [#10154303] One example given as optimal is 55/35 at 20°C room temperature, and for gas boilers it is also stated that return below 57°C is enough for condensation [#10022907] [#10117400] In practice, lower flow temperature usually means lower return temperature, and lower return improves efficiency [#10022476] [#10154303]
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  • #31 10154448
    kasku97
    Level 11  
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    Obvious obviousness ... just like honest truth and genuine fact :P
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  • #32 10154459
    Brencik
    Level 26  
    Posts: 1194
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    You seem to be going backwards ....
  • #33 10154460
    kasku97
    Level 11  
    Posts: 28
    Help: 1
    Rate: 46
    Obvious obviousness ... just like honest truth and genuine fact :P ?

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    I am actually going back ... I won't be anymore without pickup
  • #34 10155492
    kabee84

    Level 24  
    Posts: 650
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    Brencik wrote:
    kasku97 wrote:
    Just do not go too far with lowering the temperature because at some point the stove will no longer maintain the temperature in the rooms.

    Not just a boiler.
    The larger the radiators, the lower the heating curve can be.

    Slavut's colleague does not have weather automation, so there is no heating curve.
    Company Account:
    FEMAX Łazienki. Ogrzewanie. Instalacje.
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  • #35 10417711
    tgebel
    Level 11  
    Posts: 6
    Rate: 3
    Hello,

    I have just started the season, the first one, the house has been standing for about 2-3 years, so it is probably not too cold. 165 m2, more or less half on the ground floor and first floor. Downstairs I have a fireplace, a Logamax GB022 and RC35 stove. When I used the temperature by room temperature function, when the fireplace was burned, the heaters at the top got cold and the stove turned off after reaching the set temperature, e.g. 20-21 degrees. Recently I switched to the weather and I can't come to order. Preset boiler temperature - 50 degrees (-10), max flow temperature - 54 degrees. supply temp. 5 degrees. outdoor temp suppression is enabled, but yesterday at -2 the value was the same, and at -1 it was -4. how the boiler operates in the machine at a temperature set at 20.5 degrees, shows the temperature on the boiler 44-46 degrees, at night when it turns on at 19 degrees - the temperature on the boiler is about 30 degrees. I looked at the gas meter and in 48 hours I used 23 m3, I wonder what to do to get to the value you write about, i.e. about 6 m3 / day. 4-person family, no cookers, 100-liter storage tank.
    Any ideas?? The heating curve shows a value of 40st, I don't know if it's too much ???
  • #36 10458266
    marekth
    Level 10  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 15
    Hello, and I ask seriously, on the De Ditrich single-function condensing stove, I have a temperature of 40 degrees Celsius. After heating the water for about 1 hour, the temperature rises to 45 degrees, then leaving, the stove shows the program 8, then 6 ... 5. Despite the fact that the stove does not turn off, it does not reach the expected temperature on the room sensor 20.5 degrees Celsius. It starts working again earlier, cooling the water to 36 degrees. It rises again to 45 degrees and when the sensor senses 20.5 degrees the air temperature turns the stove off. House insulated with styrosuprema 10 years ago. Attic not yet. DRUTEX plastic windows, two panes with freon. I burn / 3 people, washing, cooking, CO at -3 degrees around 6 m3 of gas sometimes 7. My question, the foreman informed me not to worry about the return temperature because he regulates himself ... why if I raise the temperature on the stove to 50 degrees from the stove water is pouring in the area of the water collecting tank, on the bottom of the housing at the center. At tem. 40th degree is approx.
    Please, provide an exhaustive answer. Thank you
  • #37 10458316
    Grzegorz Siemienowicz
    Level 36  
    Posts: 3587
    Help: 146
    Rate: 600
    You have a badly assembled boiler.
    At higher temperatures, not all condensate is released in the boiler.
    Some of them do it on the chimney and flowing out of there should continue to run and you leak out sideways.
  • #38 10458322
    marekth
    Level 10  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 15
    ... hello, but when I opened the lid, the container is full of condensed water, so ... please answer the other questions about the temperature.
    Thank you

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    ... he is not sleeping and so he is watching him at - 12 degrees outside, the 1st cycle has already passed and they will start a new one and the step on the 42nd stove when it is set to 40

    Added after 1 [minutes]:

    .. and how they watch how she didn't pick it up. on the stove it will probably not turn off ... your opinion ...
  • #39 10458551
    Grzegorz Siemienowicz
    Level 36  
    Posts: 3587
    Help: 146
    Rate: 600
    Your boiler works according to the entered settings (otherwise it would show you an error).
    You have set the temperature of 40 ° C for DHW and not for CH.
    If it changes your upper CO temperature depending on the outside temperature, you have an installed and active "heating curve" system, i.e. the weather-room.
    Scrolling 8 ... 6 ... 5 may indicate that auto-adaptation is on.
  • #40 10459473
    marekth
    Level 10  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 15
    Hello and thank you for the info. But for the curve ... I do not have a sensor outside the house, so how would I get the data ... was the representative of the stove and installed it all, tell me how to talk to him because I will have to call him again
    Thanks Marek
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  • #41 10459493
    Grzegorz Siemienowicz
    Level 36  
    Posts: 3587
    Help: 146
    Rate: 600
    Then the maximum temperature is always 45 degrees CO, unless you change it manually.
  • #42 10459524
    marekth
    Level 10  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 15
    I set the stove to 40 degrees with the button on the right next to + or - AND HOW IT IS ENABLED, I get 45 max, I already set it manually and I can do it as I want.
    Is there anything else you can expertly tell me about this setting.
    Marek
  • #43 10511401
    slavuta
    Level 10  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 19
    I have a question about the frequent operation of the boiler.
    Namely, it is attached (in my opinion) too often. At the moment, it is set to 45/38. Outside, approx. - 13 ° C The controller is set at 20 ° C in the living room. The boiler turns on for about 7-8 minutes, then it doesn't work for about 8-9 minutes and turns back on again and again. Yesterday I had a higher 55/45 setting, but it was similar with the boiler switching on. The question is is it not too often ??? I read somewhere that in some cases the boiler works roundly for 40 minutes and longer and then it does not turn on for a very long time.

    I am asking for your opinion because I do not know whether to do anything about it? Such frequent "chirping" of the boiler is not good for him?

    Aha for the record (I wrote about it earlier), my boiler Dietrich MCR 24T condensate heaters + floor heating in the bathroom and hall.
  • #44 10511776
    marekth
    Level 10  
    Posts: 5
    Rate: 15
    If we are talking about a single-function de ditriche stove, it will turn off and on on the signal it receives from the temperature controller you have in the room, kitchen, corridor, etc., etc. if it turns on and off so often, it can be assumed that it heats up the room quickly and similarly you cool them down quickly. I have settings on the stove in the corridors, I have 45 c, it works 40 minutes, it turns off and it does not work for about that much. Given a higher temperature, it consumes 11 m3 of gas per day with washing, cooking and washing as it is on gas. - temperature -15 at -5 there is about 6 m3 of gas, the bills are 500, 600 PLN ... In the spring I'm going to insulate the attic 1o cm with polystyrene and see how it will be next. The attic windows will get blinds, so it should be a little warmer uffffff Marek

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    you have little water, heats up a small room quickly, but probably not tight. if you choose the lowest temperature on the boiler, observe what will happen next
  • #45 10512154
    saskia
    Level 39  
    Posts: 5755
    Help: 174
    Rate: 1086
    These are the complications in exploiting the so-called boilers. energy-saving, where the user would have to undergo training in heating, if he wants to use the full capacity of the boiler, which due to ... constant efficiency bought and installed.
    I know that it will not help in this topic, but I think that in others it will.
  • #46 10512538
    slavuta
    Level 10  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 19
    marekth wrote:
    If we are talking about a single-function de ditriche stove, it will turn off and turn on the signal it receives from the temperature controller you have in your room, kitchen, corridor, etc., if it turns on and off so often, it can be assumed that it heats up the room quickly and similarly you cool them down quickly.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    you have little water, heats up a small room quickly, but probably not tight. if you give the lowest temperature, observe what will happen next


    marekth many thanks for the hints. I checked the water level, it was actually a bit low - I refilled, but it didn't help. As for the room, I watched the controller and did not notice the temperature drop on it, so sudden cooling down within a few minutes is also not an option.
    It seems to me that the problem lies in the controller itself (Immergas Radio Tybox 810). Maybe it's about setting the device itself (e.g. frequency of launch or hysteresis or something like that :) ). If I do something wrong, I apologize, but I am not a specialist in this matter.

    Today I will dive into the instructions of the driver itself, maybe I will find a solution to the problem there.

    Please give me further suggestions :)
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  • #47 10528002
    Brencik
    Level 26  
    Posts: 1194
    Help: 38
    Rate: 209
    For me, the average consumption from 01/10/20012 to 02/10/2012 is not all 12 m3, in severe frosts -20 it takes about 14-15 m3 of gas max.
    The average for the whole season from October 13, 2011 is 7.5 m3.
  • #48 10622441
    slavuta
    Level 10  
    Posts: 15
    Rate: 19
    After a long absence, I come back with the topic of the Immergas Radio Tybox 810 controller.
    As for my previous information ... I did not find any specific information in the driver manual.

    I wrote to the manufacturer about the frequent switching on of the controller (every few minutes, and this does not necessarily save money and wear and tear of the boiler elements) and here is the answer:

    "The Radio Tybox controllers do not operate on the basis of a constant hysteresis. They are programmed in such a way as to constantly maintain the temperature close to the set temperature. It monitors both the temperature in the room and the speed of its increase.

    The problem may not necessarily lie with the controller, because if the value of the maximum water temperature in the boiler (set on the boiler) is too low, it will be quickly reached and the boiler will turn off quickly. So you can raise the value of the maximum boiler water temperature; possibly, in the boiler settings, extend the "temperature control time" (time between successive burner starts).

    However, in the case of small heated surfaces, the Tybox controller will often turn the boiler on and off (for short periods of operation). "

    Of course, I raised the temperature on the boiler, but it did not change anything and besides, the boiler does not turn off automatically, but the controller "cuts it".

    I don't really know how I can change the "timing time" - maybe that would help.

    Anyway, I replaced the borrowed driver with adjustable hysteresis and ....... as he took away with his hand. The boiler works for about 40 minutes and the same or even longer "rests" :)

    From this it follows that it is probably a problem with the driver.
  • #49 10622466
    Grzegorz Siemienowicz
    Level 36  
    Posts: 3587
    Help: 146
    Rate: 600
    slavuta wrote:

    From this it follows that it is probably a problem with the driver.


    It is an On-Off thermoregulator, so how it works can be checked with an ordinary multimeter.
    The switching frequency is different when the hysteresis, different position of the temperature sensor etc.
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  • #50 10732367
    Brencik
    Level 26  
    Posts: 1194
    Help: 38
    Rate: 209
    As of today, I have burned 1300 m3 since October 13.
  • #51 10955074
    tremorpl
    Level 12  
    Posts: 27
    Rate: 9
    Hello

    How about these results.
    Season 2010/2011 (09/15 - May 1) 1518 m3 7.2 m3 / day
    Season 2011/2012 (09/15 - May 1) 1423 m3 6.8 m3 / day

    220m2 area on the floor, of which some 120m2 in the attic
    3-layer wall (max300 / styrofoam100 / max115)
    9 radiators + 30m2 underfloor heating
    Vitodens222 boiler + 86 liter cylinder
    Weather (CO day 21 oC / night 20 oC) (DHW 43 oC)
    I try to keep the supply temperature to a maximum of 45 degrees at -20 degrees outside
    Generally I have set 41-42 for regulating curves.

    Sometimes I have kept a constant flow temperature of 40 degrees Celsius.

    Greetings
    Robert
  • #52 11462302
    robin102
    Level 15  
    Posts: 190
    Rate: 22
    Gentlemen, what temperature should be set for What at the outlet of the boiler? The installer left 60 degrees. On the return there were 50. House 160 meters boiler De Dietrich MCR ll 24 KW. I have cosmic gas consumption and Africa at the cottage. At the top, the radiators are cold because the controller does not even turn them on, so effectively heats 60 meters of floor heating. Heat goes up to the upper rooms. I do not have a sensor on the floor, it is only controlled by a valve with a scale :)
    How did I reduce the starting temperature to 52, the number 8 appeared on the display? I went back to 60 degrees.

    the boiler works only on heating, without heating water.
  • #53 11462348
    tremorpl
    Level 12  
    Posts: 27
    Rate: 9
    Hello.

    It seems to me that you should reduce the flows in the floor heating. All the water circulates through it because it has the least resistance compared to reaching the radiators. If you slow it down a bit, most of the water will go to the radiators. I have a limit on the stove to 43 degrees. It heats constantly with a temperature of around 40-43 degrees at the outlet. I also had a motive that all hot water went to the floor tile and the radiators were cold.

    best regards
    Robert
  • #54 11462402
    robin102
    Level 15  
    Posts: 190
    Rate: 22
    From what the installer hurriedly explained to me, the underfloor heating system is a completely separate circuit, and the radiators in my motherboard are made in such a way that each radiator is also a separate circuit. I only have 8 heaters upstairs. There is an AUROTON sensor at the top with the program set to 16 degrees during the day and 14 at night, and from this floor heating, I have almost 20 degrees at the top, so if I take logic, it's probably just cold radiators because the pump does not chase water for them because the driver tells him to do so, which in turn is deceived by the warm air coming from the ground floor to the top from the floor heating. It would be logical to reduce the power supply to the floor heating, but the valve has a scale from 1 -10 and I already went down to 4 and I am a bit afraid to let it freeze overnight because we do not live there yet.

    best regards
    Robert
    :)
  • #55 11463864
    robin102
    Level 15  
    Posts: 190
    Rate: 22
    Gentlemen, I set the starting temperature to 55 degrees, and on my return I have 50 degrees.
    The boiler works all the time, and earlier, when I had 60 degrees on the output, it turned off for a few minutes and then turned on for 15 minutes.
    He reports on an ongoing basis :) because I do not know if it is better for him to work all the time?
  • #56 11464001
    Brencik
    Level 26  
    Posts: 1194
    Help: 38
    Rate: 209
    Better.
    It switched off because the difference between the supply and return temperatures was too small.
  • #57 11464054
    robin102
    Level 15  
    Posts: 190
    Rate: 22
    Thanks a lot. It's probably when the hut warms up a bit, I will be able to go down to 50 degrees on the power supply and the boiler will work without shutdowns.
    I am a bit irritated by the situation that my radiators are cold upstairs, but the rooms are at 18 degrees Celsius. The building has no doors to the upper rooms, so the heat from the ground floor is going up.
    This is how you scratch your hair, maybe it is better to turn off the AUROTON and set the heads on the valves manually in the upper radiators so that they are at least a little warm?
    Now AUROTON does not release the heating water on top.
  • #58 11491351
    pyrzynap
    Level 2  
    Posts: 3
    Rate: 5
    Hello

    I am asking for info, I have an ACV prestige Solo 32 KW stove - it was set up for the weather and room controllers - an average consumption of 8 m3 for the last 11 days, I'm testing and now setting it on the weather control only without a room controller - on my curves No. 3 at a temperature of 9 on outside 30 C power supply.
    And here's the question, because the return temperature is 27-29 C, does it also condense with such settings - I assume it is, but how does it relate to efficiency.
    How better to set it, or can it raise the curve so that it is 40C on the power supply?
    Of course, I have no objections to the heat at home, but I test which settings are better, I want to find the optimum. I know it will take some time, but I'd like to discuss it.

    Especially since there is not much on the internet about this stove and its settings.
    If anyone has ACV please contact us

    I have a house of 240 m2 - from 1980, hollow brick and aerated concrete 40 cm, additionally insulated by 10 cm polystyrene, the bottom of the room 2.20m- 80 m2, the top 2.60m - 80 m2 - these are heaters, usable attic 100% floor tiles 80m2 - roof 25 cm wool 15 cm - 0.33 and 10 cm - 039 - of course plastic windows, 10-year-old 3-chamber windows, but glass 1.1.

    I think the house parameters are ok - what consumption can be planned for such a house?
  • #59 11497214
    FOSGEN1
    Level 27  
    Posts: 1640
    Help: 41
    Rate: 334
    Sorry to stick in the thread.
    Brencik wrote:
    It switched off because the difference between the supply and return temperatures was too small.


    In my boiler I also noticed such spells that despite not reaching the temperature set on the room controller, it turns off for some time (but the pump works during this time). My boiler is Immergas Zeus mini - no condensate, so I don't know if that's the case for me too. But if the principle of operation is roughly similar, maybe I should reduce the output temperature a bit?
  • #60 11497456
    robin102
    Level 15  
    Posts: 190
    Rate: 22
    pyrzynap wrote:
    Hello
    - average consumption of 8 m3 for the last 11 days,
    I have a house of 240 m2 - from 1980,

    It is to envy my colleague such a result.
    I have been testing my barely 162 meters for 11 days, I have reached 6.5 -7.5 meters a day at an inside temperature of 20 degrees Celsius.

    Added after 2 [minutes]:

    FOSGEN1 wrote:
    Sorry to stick in the thread.
    Brencik wrote:
    It switched off because the difference between the supply and return temperatures was too small.
    ?

    Well, it is not known if this is the reason for the timing of the boiler. I can set it by operating the three-way valve and the supply temperature that the difference between the output and the return is only 3-4 degrees and it still clocked densely. Supply 38, return 34-35. I think I have a boiler that is too big, and so small in appearance :)

Topic summary

✨ The discussion revolves around the optimal condensation temperature for a condensing boiler, specifically focusing on the return temperature necessary for effective condensation. Participants agree that the return temperature should ideally be below 57°C to facilitate condensation, with some suggesting that lower temperatures enhance efficiency. The optimal flow and return temperatures discussed range from 40-55°C for various heating systems, including those with underfloor heating and radiators. The importance of proper radiator sizing and system configuration is emphasized to achieve efficient operation and minimize energy consumption. Users share their experiences with different boiler models and settings, highlighting the need for adjustments based on external temperatures and building insulation.
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FAQ

TL;DR: Cutting return-water from 45 °C to 30 °C can boost condensing-boiler efficiency by up to 11 % [Viessmann, 2023]; “The lower the return temperature, the better” [Elektroda, Brencik, post #10024282] Why it matters: every 5 °C drop may cut gas bills by ~2 % while lowering CO₂ and acid-flue risk.

Quick Facts

• Dew-point for natural-gas exhaust ≈ 57 °C; below this condensate forms [Elektroda, adam998, post #10016116] • Recommended design temps (radiators): 50/30 °C flow/return for −10 °C outside [Bosch datasheet, 2023] • Typical ΔT for high efficiency: 10–20 K (°C) between flow and return [IEA, 2022] • Each 1 °C indoor set-back saves ~6 % energy in 24 h [EnergyStar] • Annual service & pH-neutraliser needed to avoid acid corrosion when >2 l/day condensate [Vaillant, Guide]

1. What temperature triggers condensation in a natural-gas boiler?

Water vapour starts condensing when the return water falls below the flue-gas dew point of about 57 °C [Elektroda, adam998, post #10016116]

3. What flow/return pair gives highest efficiency on radiators?

Lab tests show 40/30 °C reaches 109 % (LHV) efficiency, versus 50/30 °C at 108 % and 70/55 °C below 94 % [Bosch datasheet, 2023].

4. How low can I set a condensing boiler without cycling?

Match minimum burner output to heat loss. If min. power is 3 kW and the house loses 2 kW, lower flow to 42 °C and use ΔT ≈ 15 K; cycling then falls under six starts/hour [Elektroda, Brencik, post #20775749]

5. My boiler shows only one temperature—how do I see the return?

Immergas Zeus hides it; press “i” ∧▼ 3 s, then rotate knob to code d41 for return and d40 for flow [Immergas Manual p.34].

6. What’s an optimal curve for mixed floor + radiators?

Start with 0.8 slope, 20 °C offset. Cap floor loop at 35 °C via mixer and let radiators follow weather curve up to 50 °C; keep return ≤ 40 °C [Elektroda, kasku97, post #10120980]

7. Boiler clicks every 10 min—is that harmful?

Frequent starts raise fuel use by 5–8 % and stress the fan gasket [IEA, 2022]. Aim for cycles ≥ 20 min by widening hysteresis or lowering flow 3 °C [Elektroda, slavuta, post #10622441]

8. Edge case: what if return hits 65 °C?

Condensation ceases; gross efficiency can drop to 88 % and acidic condensate may flash-evaporate, eroding the flue liner [Vaillant, Guide].

9. Three-step radiator-balancing to widen ΔT

  1. Close all lockshields half-turn. 2. Open furthest radiator fully. 3. Gradually reopen nearer units until each shows 10–15 K drop (infrared gun).

10. Can old 90/70 °C systems use a condensing unit?

Yes—add oversized radiators or run weather compensation; even with 65/45 °C you still condense part-load days, saving ~7 % annually [Elektroda, serwo66, post #10118452]

11. How much gas should a 120 m² house use after optimisation?

Forum users report 6–8 m³/day at 0 °C outside and 21 °C inside—about 50 kWh/d or 125 kWh/m²·yr [Elektroda, tremorpl, post #10955074]

12. Does higher DHW set-point waste energy?

Each 10 °C rise in cylinder set-point increases standby loss ~4 % [EnergyStar]. Keep ≤ 50 °C and run a weekly 60 °C anti-legionella cycle [Elektroda, marekth, post #10458266]

13. Why is my floor loop hogging all the heat?

It offers least resistance; throttle its manifold or fit a differential-pressure bypass so radiators receive flow [Elektroda, tremorpl, post #11462348]

14. Statistic: how much condensate forms?

At 30 °C return, a gas boiler condenses approx. 0.1 l for every m³ burned—up to 8 l/day in 80 kWh systems [Viessmann, 2023].

15. What yearly maintenance stops acidic damage?

  1. Neutraliser media replacement when pH < 6. 2. Heat-exchanger rinse. 3. Check siphon for 500 ml discharge in 60 s test [Vaillant, Guide].
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