Hydronic Heating Question....

19 years ago

How easy is it to convert from a loop system to a manifold system, using existing 1/2" copper pipe runs and returns from the existing baseboard heaters and getting rid of the 1 1/4" galvanized loop piping which runs in a rectangle in the basement?

The existing system uses an electric boiler with a Bell & Gosset pump hooked into the 1 1/4" galvanized piping.

I would like to be able to control the level of heat in each room specifically as opposed to controlling the level of heat as it currently is being controlled from the thermostat reading in the hallway (one centralized location). At the point in time at which the thermostat reads 68, the closest room would be 68 where the rest of the house is, say, almost 9 degrees cooler.

I am assuming I can do a pex install from a manifold and hook the pex into the 1/2" copper piping at the run starts and return ends. But I am needing information on how to hook up the manifold and whether I can use the existing pump and electric boiler for this purpose or whether I need an alternate system for the heating and water supply.

Additionally, while on subject, there are two electric water heaters (both 50 gal.) in the house. Someone told me I should use the boiler for the water supply for the house. Can this be done as well, thereby eliminating the need for the hot water heaters, where the electric boiler (or some other installed product) supplies both the hot water at a higher temperature for the baseboards and a lower temperature for the house?

Thanks for any information given.

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Comments (3)

hendricus
19 years ago
If the loop in the basement is continuos with each room coming from and returning to the main line a thermostat in each room can be hooked to a line valve inserted at the beginning or end of each rooms lines. As the thermostat calls for heat it will open the line valve which in turn will start the boiler pump.

If you manage to go to a manifold you must still find a way to open and close each line when heat is called for.

Domestic hot water from a boiler will be at boiler temp. Also the boiler must be on all the time and all year round to supply the hot water. I had this setup at one time and didn't like it and it was more expensive in the summer because boilers don't have as much insulation as water heaters. At least the ones I had didn't.
ajpdla
Original Author
19 years ago
Thanks for this advice; you sure got me thinking.

Yes, the basement is one continuous loop, with loops running off of the main loop, with monoflow tees along the main loop.

So if I installed these line vales at all points on the outward 1/2" copper pipes leading away from the main loop, would this keep one room from getting hotter than it needs to be while another room is drawing heat? In other words, the non-drawing line valves stay shut?

While I'm typing this, I believe that one line runs to the upstairs of the house and then back downstairs. So basically that could all be one zone, with the thermostat placed in the central location, maybe in the upstairs hallway. And then we could just do the dining room, living room and downstairs bedroom as three separate "zones."

Is this making any sense?

What are the electrical issues with so many different connections from separate thermostats "controlling" the boiler and pump? Is there a surge issue if one is drawing, and another wants to start drawing, or two happen to draw at the same time?

Is this better than installing a manifold system?
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hendricus
19 years ago
In other words, the non-drawing line valves stay shut? Correct

Sure

Yes

No electrical issues. Last house of ours had six zones on one pump the size of your fist. The most work would be running the low voltage wiring from the boiler to each line valve and then to each thermostat.

It's a beautiful system when you're done, any room can be turned off or set to any temperature that you want.

IMO yes, but I don't know anything about manifolds. Manifolds are basically about distributing water and you want to control the flow of water.