Closed loop heating system diameter?

17 years ago

I've got an old closed-loop hot water heating system, with a single zone. The boiler feeds a 1 1/2" loop running around the perimiter of the basement; the 12 registers are fed from 1/2" pipes tied into the main loop, with the feed pipes coming off constrictor fittings in the main loop, and the return pipes going right back into the main loop.

I was planning on installing a new boiler, and would like to connect the new boiler to the old 1 1/2" loop using 1/2" copper pipe. Is this going to cause a problem, for example becuase I won't have as much flow going through the loop?

Thanks,

-Dave

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Comments (3)

paulbm
17 years ago
why are you wanting to feed a 1-1/2 pipe with a 1/2 in pipe?
What you would be doing is feeding 12- 1/2" pipes with one 1/2 "
pipe. Feed a least 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 in and out of the boiler,
and into that main. if you don't some of your rad. won't work.
Also make sure you size the pump right to get the right flow
of water.
dasnider
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks, that's what I wanted to know. It's actually my plumber who wants to do this, and I'm fighting with him about using the large-diameter pipe all the way to the boiler. (Sorry, it's actually a 1 1/4" pipe being fed by a 3/4" one.)

Anyway, this is more ammo for my argument!
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spot09
17 years ago
This is probably to late to help but what you have is a monoflo system. You need that 11/4" feed to get the volume of water you need going through the pipes. Anything less in your case would be restrictive. Those fittings you're talking about are monoflo or venturi tees that force the water into the branch lines. If there installed right they work fine. I put one in my house. What you will find are a lot of plumbers don't understand how they work. It is pretty much an old time system. Use the sme size pipe as what's there and you will be fine.