Radiator Pipe Layout

[Hitmo]

Hi all,

First off let me apologise for my ignorance, I'm quite new to heating systems and this will be my first attempt at fiddling around with things so I apologise if I ask some stupid questions!

My situation is as follows, I've currently got the setup below which I believe is known as a "double pipe" system. There are flows (red) and returns (blue) which come from the kitchen to feed 2 single rads in the living room and one double in the hall.

Now I would like to replace the 2 rads in the living room for one large double P+ rad, but I'm unsure of the best way to layout the pipes. This is my preferred layout (because I'm burying the pipes in concrete and this means less work!). My worry with this option is that the system is split and if either rad is turned off this disturbs the flow of the rest of the system - is this something to be worried about? Also, I'm assuming I would need drains on both radiators instead of just the end one (currently on rad 3 in my current setup)?

This would be option 2, in this case the rads are connected and shutting either of them off would not disturb the flow of the system.

Also, can the flow / return be input to either end of the rad? I've noticed in my house that it's not always on the left. Oh and for reference I've got a gravity fed system with an F&E tank in the loft, and a hot water tank in an airing cupboard upstairs if that makes any difference!

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!

 

[TeaTime]

Flow and return can be fitted to either side of the rad, so long as they do indeed have a flow and return not flow>flow or return>return.

You pipework layout will be fine, so long as you maintain the 22mm pipework main as long as you can up until it get's to the rad, then reduce down to 15mm.

To get a better idea of it will indeed work though, we would need to know what boiler you have, how many rad's in total, on what floors the rads are on, the size or pipework it is fed by... etc

Realistically I would maintain a 22mm main and only branch off of it for individual rads.

Your understanding of a 2 pipe system seems ok, in that you know that there is a flow and return

 

[Hitmo]

Thank for your reply TeaTime! All the pipework I can see is 15mm

There are 22mm pipes being used for the flow to and from the boiler and the pipework around the air separator, pump and 2 port value are all 22mm but everything I can see around the radiators (they're currently exposed) are 15mm.

To answer your questions;

Boiler: Glow Worm 60FF
Radiators: 8 (3 upstairs / 5 ground floor)

The pump, air separator and 2 port valve are all fitted in the airing cupboard which is upstairs if that has any significance to my situation.

 

[sooey]

For those couple of rads 15 mm will be fine. Either of those 2 layouts would work so, whichever one's easier.

 

[AlanE]

This is my preferred layout (because I'm burying the pipes in concrete and this means less work!).

Hope not directly in concrete.

Pipes need space to expand and contract plus the concrete will attack the copper and pin-hole it over time, and that time period might well not be as long as you had hoped!

 

[Hitmo]

Thanks for your help everyone!

This is my preferred layout (because I'm burying the pipes in concrete and this means less work!).

Hope not directly in concrete.

Pipes need space to expand and contract plus the concrete will attack the copper and pin-hole it over time, and that time period might well not be as long as you had hoped!

I'm actually cutting a channel into the concrete, inserting plastic coated pipe wrapped in hessian wrap, which will be placed into conduit with 10mm of screed over the top. I'm not one to do things by half measures!

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either of the 2 layouts I suggested?

 

[AlanE]

Are there any advantages/disadvantages to either of the 2 layouts I suggested?

First option, with Tee's near kitchen might be a tad mote efficient.