ci rad install

Bob_36

I have a few questions about installing ci rads in a hw system. Is it better to loop ci rads in each zone of a two zone system(one zone for each of two floors), or would it be better to home run each rad to the basement and hook it up to a manifold for each zone? My thinking is the latter would give me more control over each room(six rooms, three on each floor)by putting trvs on each rad. My second question is, if I do use the manifold set-up, how do I size the circulator? Do I add all the heat loss for each room on each zone or do I just take the longest run?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

You're MUCH better off using a two-pipe system--most paricularly if you want to install TRVs.

Cast iron rads are capable of extracting LOTS of heat from the water--if you use a simple loops those rads further down will get really big really fast to have a prayer for balance...

Bob_36

Mike, thanks for the reply. I got a guy in the other day and he said to loop them. I thought at least monoflo tees but home runs should send 180 degree to each rad from the start. No guess work if heat would reach the last rad. Do you think I should use 1/2" or 3/4" pipe to each rad(they range from 6k to 11k and longest run is 30ft)? How do I size the circ for each zone? Thanks for any reply.

kevin coppinger_4

I will tell you what I did...

I have Buderus panel rads...I used 1/2" pex and homeruned each to a wirsbo copper manifold(1") based on a 20F delta T you could do up to 15,00 btu each run... put it on outdoor reset w/ TRV's and you will have a great system...a 007 or 15-58 will work fine...kpc


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Bob_36

Kevin, thanks for the input. It sounds exactly what I'm looking for. This would give me the flexability plus I can set each room to the desired degree and I'm set. How does the outside reset work. I know that it reads the outside temp and adjusts the water accordingly, but if you need to keep your return water above 140 degrees, how do you accomplish this? Thanks Bob PS where can I look up the rads you described?

Bob_36

Kevin, two other things. Do you think I can use 1/2" also, being I'm using ci with so much volume, or do you think I should use 3/4" pex to feed the rads? And which brand of TRV do you recomend? Thanks again. BOB