Won't go into the reasons and much is personal preference but after a full basement dig out which meant all my G/F radiator pipework had to be ripped out, I have decided to reconnect them using an UFH manifold, with one loop for each room. Had enough Pex-Al HDPE pipe for 2 rooms but have one still to go and have 2 questions:
1. To connect the 16mmx2mm pipe to the copper going up through floor, i was looking at the Eurocone connectors. But the insert seems really to narrow the pipe and am wondering if there are other types that narrow it less. I'm thinking of friction and flow restriction around each circuit. (although I know I have these on the manifold but surely 2 restrictions in a loop is better than 4 (Including flow and return). Or does it not really make much difference. (Also, as I will need more pipe I could just use 15mm Pex instead. Is there an advantage doing this or would I be better to add just a bit more 16mm Pex-Al-HDPE. I have half of what I need already.)
2. The final room has 2 radiators and I'm wondering if it is worth connecting them in parallel or if a series loop would be easier - well it will be for me and will need less pipe. There are so many posts about Parallel vs Series but they all seem to apply to an entire circuit. I'm just looking at the rads in one room being connected this way. Options are to have 2 circuits off the manifold, one for each rad or one circuit with rads in series. I'd prefer the latter unless the experts out there give a reason not to. I know the second rad will run cooler but maybe that also means the first one will run hotter and so the net will be the same. I have also read about pump loads and pressure etc but the analysis out there seems to indicate this will make little difference - especially as it will only be 2 rads in one room and coming off a manifold.
When all done, will be controlled via Actuators on the Manifold and a Room Thermostat
Thanks in advance for any advice..
1. To connect the 16mmx2mm pipe to the copper going up through floor, i was looking at the Eurocone connectors. But the insert seems really to narrow the pipe and am wondering if there are other types that narrow it less. I'm thinking of friction and flow restriction around each circuit. (although I know I have these on the manifold but surely 2 restrictions in a loop is better than 4 (Including flow and return). Or does it not really make much difference. (Also, as I will need more pipe I could just use 15mm Pex instead. Is there an advantage doing this or would I be better to add just a bit more 16mm Pex-Al-HDPE. I have half of what I need already.)
2. The final room has 2 radiators and I'm wondering if it is worth connecting them in parallel or if a series loop would be easier - well it will be for me and will need less pipe. There are so many posts about Parallel vs Series but they all seem to apply to an entire circuit. I'm just looking at the rads in one room being connected this way. Options are to have 2 circuits off the manifold, one for each rad or one circuit with rads in series. I'd prefer the latter unless the experts out there give a reason not to. I know the second rad will run cooler but maybe that also means the first one will run hotter and so the net will be the same. I have also read about pump loads and pressure etc but the analysis out there seems to indicate this will make little difference - especially as it will only be 2 rads in one room and coming off a manifold.
When all done, will be controlled via Actuators on the Manifold and a Room Thermostat
Thanks in advance for any advice..
