Flow and Return

[MartynJM]

Hi Everybody, new to forum with probably a daft question but I simply cannot get my head around this. We are building an extension and currently putting in the flow & return pipes for the central heating. My question is: can the 22mm flow and return pipe upstairs be split with a 'T' to go to the front and rear of the property or do they have to be a continuous run of pipe? my thinking is that the return on both sides of the 'T' may be of unequal flow rate therefore one side of the 'T' reducing the return flow of the other? I have added a quick drawing of the layout, I have not shown all branches and rads but the number of radiators on each side of the 'T' is noted. The 6 rads to the rear of the property include feeds to 3 downstairs rads. There is also a 'T' splitting the downstairs and upstairs before flowing and returning from/to the boiler which is standard practice but is it standard to split the pipe on the upstairs run?. I am fairly sure 😕 this layout will work but will it be efficient?
Thanks in advance for any help to set my mind at rest.

 

[oldplumber]

no problem, you balance all the rads on completion, no more than 3 rads on a single 15mm circuit to ensure they all work, is a simple rule to follow..

 

[Blackcatgas]

As above, dont join up the ends to make a "loop" the radiators act as the "loop"

 

[MartynJM]

Thanks for that oldplumber, I am feeding each individual radiator with its own 15mm flow/return from the 22mm flow/return.
You have put my mind at rest.🙂🙂

 

[MartynJM]

Thanks for that, I think my diagram was confusing, the thin lines were only to indicate that there would be branches to each of the radiators not actually looping the flow/return pipe 😱
Thanks again

 

[stevetheplumber]

you dont say what size the boiler is or rad loads but it might be a good idea to come of the boiler with some 28mm

 

[MartynJM]

Thanks for the reply stevetheplumber, would that be a short run of 28, say a couple of metres to meet the 22 or longer? The boiler I am looking at is the Glowworm Ultrapower sxi 170 running approx 22Kw of rads plus DHW to 2 bathrooms, 1 cloakroom, Kitchen and utility. I thought of this boiler because of the footprint whereas a seperate system boiler and thermostore would take up a lot more room. What do you think?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

is that a combi? it will struggle with 2 bathrooms you wont be able to use both at the same time

 

[fuzzy]

22kW may be a little small for what your suggesting

 

[MartynJM]

22kW may be a little small for what your suggesting

Hi fuzzy,
The 22Kw is the total output of all the radiators, the boiler output is 24Kw would this still be too small?

 

[MartynJM]

is that a combi? it will struggle with 2 bathrooms you wont be able to use both at the same time

The 'Ultrapower sxi 170' is a system boiler with built in 170ltr store and, according to Glowworm, is their best boiler for constant hot water demand with multi bathrooms. Sales talk or does anyone have any experience of this boiler?

 

[Billy Bob Bob]

glowworms not the worst,but not the best either,look to see if BAXI,worcester,remaha or Weissman do alternatives

 

[andrewcplatt]

Should just make it....just

 

[MartynJM]

Many thanks for all your answers I think we are getting off topic and as this is my first thread I don't want to upset anyone. My flow and return question is answered and if nobody minds I may well be asking for more help very soon.
Thanks again. 😀