How a Zone Valve Works - Hot Water Heating

I had so many views on the video I did for "How a Hotwater Natural Gas Boiler Works" that I thought I would do a second video around the the zone valve in a hot water heating system. The zone valve is a electrical mechanical valve, with three main parts: the powerhead or motor, the mechanical valve itself and the end switch (microswitch).

[corncrasy]

This video is 7 years old yet still very helpful. Thanks!

[herrprepper]

Much obliged! Our lower level zone valve went out when it was 29 below outside. I manually opened the valve per your excellent video.

[roseparini]

Awesome and much needed video! I am 66 y. o., widowed many years so in past have replaced pump, expansion tank etc on mu boiler. A few years ago replaced a micro switch on one of the valves and another one now needs either it or perhaps the valve motor. Your video has taught me how the boiler operates!!! And the component about the override switch was also super helpful because my toggle won't push freely all the way to the right so it might need the new motor. Your video was great in time and being so succinct!! Thank you so much for taking the time to do this! People like you are contributors to me being able to keep and stay in my home of 40

[danmccurry]

Thanks for making this detailed informational video on this subject. My mother in-law had issues with this for years. After watching your clip in about an hour I zeroed in on why and where the problem existed.

[delxiv]

Finally know how a zone valve works and how easy it is to troubleshoot.
Great video and thank you!

[brybrooks]

9 years old video cleared my confusion! The Best.

[mehrdadkeshmiri]

Thank you Andrew for your detailed explanation. That helped me to understand what was wrong with my valve system, and replace the faulty valve. Very useful video. Thanks.

[mamapoint]

I' and my kids have been without heat in northern mn for weeks because of something this simple that my landlord has failed to fix...or at least show me I could do this! THANK

[jayvee]

An excellent video clearly explaining everything so the layman can understand. This has been very helpful to me, so thank you so much Andrew for taking the time to do this.

[johntube]

This is a great explanation of how a Valve Assembly works. Thank you Andrew! I have clicked like and subscribed. Keep up the good work!
I replaced just the valve assembly motor even though the old motor was turning, I thought maybe it is a weak motor and is not pushing the micro end switch all the way in. Also, it is way easier to replace just the motor. With new motor, I still had no damper opening, no circulation pump and no boiler fire up, even though the motor was doing it’s job. I had robbed the motor from a brand new complete zone valve assembly. With new motor on and POWER OFF, I then tested the old micro end switch for continuity and when pushing the button ALL THE WAY IN, I got continuity. I then tested the brand new micro end switch on the brand new zone valve assembly and noticed I got continuity with the BUTTON ONLY PUSHED ABOUT ½ WAY IN. I decided to take the NEW motor off again so I could access the micro end switch screws and proceeded to replace the old micro end switch with the new one, even though the old one had continuity. Once the new micro end switch was in place, I put the OLD MOTOR back in place and wired up everything. I turned my thermostat way up and then turned on the power to the boiler and Walla, damper motor turned, circulation pump came on and the boiler fired up. So it was a bad Micro end switch. That zone is working again with old motor and just a new micro end switch.
Thanks again!

[paulrivet]

I'm glad I stumbled across your video. When I turn up the thermostat for my upstairs it wouldn't turn on the furnace and after watching your video I did some trouble shooting and it was my end switch that is the problem. Had you not took apart the zone valve I wound never had known about that switch unless I called the repairman. You sir have saved me some money so thank you very much.

[KatherineStage]

Thank you for helping me better understand the ins and outs of these. Very helpful!

[franklindiaz]

Great job Andrew w. I really appreciate when people take their own time to make videos like this one .. many thanks comrade.

[corazonplummer]

Very helpful video Andrew, thanks for making the time to make this video.

[richardbolz]

This was an outstanding demonstration project. It was well done and informative. Did not know about the end switch closing to allow the burner to com on.

[akusantafe]

Thank you for an outstanding video. Very clear and helpful. In my case, the end switch was sticking when it had been released by the motor-activated lever. That is, the lever releases pressure on the end switch, but end switch button remains depressed and hot water keeps flowing to radiators. This single video enabled me to understand all I had observed!

[T-Bone]

Hey, Andrew W "boss man." You nailed it for me. the "N" switch. 9:40-10:20 and a minor mention before that. That is the issue for me. Valve operating in response to the call for heat but boiler not igniting. Much appreciation. Blessings to you and your household.

[davidparker]

Great video. Clear, concise. I think you've addressed the exact problems I'm having with my system. Thanks!

[KH-niht]

I was curious to understand about how radiant heat zone controls works, if fail and how to fix.  This video has answer for each and every steps very clearly explained by the author and presented in an exemplary manner with steady voice. Any layman can understand the way he explained. My hats off to this very talented man.  Look forward his expertise in other videos.

[hpdavid]

Andrew, great video and explanation of zone valves, much appreciated