With a one pipe system, the radiators are connected to the same pipe that travels around the property in a loop. This means that the temperature of the water cools as it flows around the circuit, so the radiators at the end will be cooler than those at the start. They are generally quite old and have not been installed as new systems for 40 or 50 years. They were originally used to allow gravity circulation of hot water in solid fuel systems without the use of a pump, although pumps were added later to improve the flow.
With a two pipe system, each radiator gets a direct supply of hot water from the boiler and has a separate return pipe.
View attachment 137403
With a one pipe system, the radiators are connected to the same pipe that travels around the property in a loop. This means that the temperature of the water cools as it flows around the circuit, so the radiators at the end will be cooler than those at the start. They are generally quite old and have not been installed as new systems for 40 or 50 years. They were originally used to allow gravity circulation of hot water in solid fuel systems without the use of a pump, although pumps were added later to improve the flow.
With a two pipe system, each radiator gets a direct supply of hot water from the boiler and has a separate return pipe.
View attachment 137403
A one pipe system in 1977, are you sure? A couple of pics might help.
Thank you and again this is a great help.
Do the floors have to come up to do an upgrade?
My one pipe system was installed in 1977 when the house was built
There are 13 radiators. Would you please be able to give a very rough cost of an upgrade./
Thanks again for help.
JamesB
That really depends on the layout of your home. You wouldn't necessarily have to lift floorboards if you are happy to have the pipes on show in your rooms, they could be run around the rooms just above the skirting boards. Although even then, it's likely that at some point, some floor boards will have to be lifted. To run the pipes between the upstairs / downstairs or past doorways for example. Bear in mind that plastic pipes come in long lengths and where there aren't any joists or obstructions, they can often be fed under floors easily without needing to lift a lot of boards.Do the floors have to come up to do an upgrade?
Sorry, I have no idea about that, and a plumber would probably have to see your property to see the work involved to run the new pipes. If the they were run under floors, plastic pipes could be installed fairly quickly and there would be little if any redecorating required, meaning it would probably be cheaper than installing copper pipes above the floors, with soldered joints and fixing the pipes in place. You would also have to redecorate.There are 13 radiators. Would you please be able to give a very rough cost of an upgrade.
Ball park figure-phone estimate with job not seen. £150 per radiator (labour only).There are 13 radiators. Would you please be able to give a very rough cost of an upgrade.
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