Heating system pipe size question.

[Mottie]

Just curiosity really. We often go for breaks in the Peak District/cotswolds and I always noticed that heating systems in the places we rent have smaller pipes than down here. Why is that? What’s the advantage/disadvantage?

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

What’s the advantage/disadvantage?

The small pipes, block more easily.

 

[numpty1]

tight northerners will not pay for proper sized pipework

 

[gas112]

Cheaper and in theory easier to fit but not really .
Microbore used to be 8mm copper but now you get 10mm copper and plastic with 8mm rarely being used

 

[muggles]

The small pipes, block more easily.

Hmmmm yes and no.....

You're actually more likely to get sludge deposition in larger bore pipework due to reduced velocity. You get deposition below about 0.3m/s velocity. It's one reason we target 0.9m/s velocity in central heating pipework, and why sludge tends to collect in radiators where velocity is lower

 

[gas112]

Hmmmm yes and no.....

You're actually more likely to get sludge deposition in larger bore pipework due to reduced velocity. You get deposition below about 0.3m/s velocity. It's one reason we target 0.9m/s velocity in central heating pipework, and why sludge tends to collect in radiators where velocity is lower

but it tends to block in the actual manifolds which larger pipework doesnt have