Good morning,
who here has a house with old heating pipework (50 years or older)? Have you ever experienced any problems? If yes, how did you first notice the issue and how did you resolve it?
Background to the question: Our house is from the 1960s, and the pipework is made of copper; at first glance (exposed in one or two spots in the screed) it still looks good. On the ground floor, the floors are very high quality, so following the plumber’s advice, we are mostly leaving the pipework as is.
In the basement, we have to redo the floors anyway. Right now, the screed is exposed. Should we keep the pipework or replace it? I imagine it would be quite involved. On the other hand, if not now, when? And how would you even find a leak under the basement floor? (If there is a leak on the ground floor, I can imagine the ceiling or wall below getting damp, wallpaper peeling off, etc.)
If it’s relevant: The old gas burner is being upgraded to a modern gas condensing boiler. We want to keep the old cast iron radiators; freshly painted white, they really look great again.
I appreciate all answers, whether personal experiences or advice.
who here has a house with old heating pipework (50 years or older)? Have you ever experienced any problems? If yes, how did you first notice the issue and how did you resolve it?
Background to the question: Our house is from the 1960s, and the pipework is made of copper; at first glance (exposed in one or two spots in the screed) it still looks good. On the ground floor, the floors are very high quality, so following the plumber’s advice, we are mostly leaving the pipework as is.
In the basement, we have to redo the floors anyway. Right now, the screed is exposed. Should we keep the pipework or replace it? I imagine it would be quite involved. On the other hand, if not now, when? And how would you even find a leak under the basement floor? (If there is a leak on the ground floor, I can imagine the ceiling or wall below getting damp, wallpaper peeling off, etc.)
If it’s relevant: The old gas burner is being upgraded to a modern gas condensing boiler. We want to keep the old cast iron radiators; freshly painted white, they really look great again.
I appreciate all answers, whether personal experiences or advice.
HausiKlausi4 May 2021 12:19Grundaus schrieb:
but the specified total energy is always the same and must be provided by the boilerFor gas condensing boilers, the ratio between flow and return temperatures is crucial for efficiency. Radiators with different surface areas (the area that emits heat) therefore have an impact.
nordanney schrieb:
Because the new radiator delivers the same output at 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) supply temperature as the old cast iron radiator at 70 degrees Celsius (158°F) supply temperature. and that cannot be physically correct. The heat lost from the water in the radiator is converted into air heat. Where else would the energy go? It is clear that a cast iron radiator takes longer to warm up, but it also retains heat for longer.
N
nordanney4 May 2021 14:55Grundaus schrieb:
and that cannot be physically correct. The heat loss from the water in the radiator is converted into warm air. Where else should the energy go? It is clear that a cast iron radiator takes longer to heat up, but it also retains heat longer. That’s why heat pumps with 28°C (82°F) supply temperatures and underfloor heating don’t work, and the Earth is flat 😉
Seriously. Compared to modern panel radiators, finned radiators have a smaller heat transfer surface area. To achieve the same output, they must either be significantly larger or operate at higher temperatures. There is also additional physics involved. In an old heating system, the heating water must be heated to 70°C (158°F). However, it is much more efficient to heat it only to 30–40°C (86–104°F), while increasing the flow rate.
T
T_im_Norden4 May 2021 15:18Grundaus schrieb:
And that physically cannot be correct. The heat loss from the water in the radiator is converted into warm air. Where else should the energy go? It is clear that a cast iron radiator takes longer to heat up, but it retains heat longer.More surface area for heat emission = lower temperature = less consumption.Similar topics