11/9/2017 Boiler Water Loops | HVAC Hydronic Piping Systems

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Boiler Water Loops | Hydronic Piping Systems

by High Performance HVAC | Boilers | 8 comments

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Boiler Water Loops - In boiler hydronic loops there are di erent ways to arrangement the piping
depending on the budget at installation time and how e cient and balanced you want the hydronic
piping system to be when the job is complete. Some piping arrangements require more pipe upon initial

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installation. However, they are easier to balance and provide even heat throughout all the radiators or
baseboards.
Boiler Water Loops | Hydronic Piping Systems
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It is important to consult with a plumbing and heating professional. Consultation should be done before
deciding which type of hydronic piping arrangement you want. The type of piping loop you will use for
your hydronic loop. They can show you the distinct advantages and disadvantages along with cost
di erences of various hydronic piping arrangements. The piping system you need for the structure
where you intend on installing this system. The type of loop can oftentimes be just as important as
properly sizing the boiler pipe and system as a whole. It can make all the di erence in the world in
comfort and e ciency. Consulting a professional will ensure design is done properly from the start.

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Boiler Water Loops One Pipe Series Hydronic Loop

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The One Pipe Series Loop uses less pipe than any other hydronic piping arrangement. Therefore it is less
expensive to install the piping. However, you need bigger radiators or longer baseboards. However, only
at the end of the loop because this part of the loop will have less heat. The radiators or baseboards at
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the beginning of the loop use most of the heat. Consequently, this is the reason for the larger radiators
and baseboards at the end of the loop. There is also a larger temperature drop in this type of loop. A
temperature drop between the supply and the return versus other types of hydronic piping
arrangements. The near boiler piping may need to be modi ed to prevent large delta T between supply
and return.

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Boiler Water Loops - Mono ow Hydronic Loop and Mono ow Tees

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The mono ow hydronic loop is similar to the one pipe series. The exception is the main loop uses
mono ow tees to divert the water. It diverts water to the radiators or baseboards using special Tees.
The main hydronic loop maintains a constant ow on a call for heat. Using this system, the water
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temperatures for each zone are more even throughout the hydronic loop. More even than the one pipe
series hydronic loop. The mono ow tee is a special tee. The mono ow tee is installed at the supply and
the return. The supply and return for each radiator or baseboard.

This loop system is easy to zone but needs more piping and special mono ow tees for each separate
circuit. Additionally, if not installed properly ow problems will occur in radiators and/or baseboards. It
is really important if you have a mono ow system to consult a professional before making changes. If
you want to modify it in any way for an addition or other work. Always consult a plumbing and heating
HVAC specialist for any changes to a mono ow loop.

Boiler Water Loops Two Pipe Direct Return Hydronic Loop

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The Two Pipe Direct Return Loop utilizes more pipe than the one pipe series loop. However, all radiators
and baseboards receive the same temperature of water, therefore it is more even heat. More even heat
than in all the radiators and/or baseboards than the one pipe series loop. Another advantage of two
pipe direct return loop over the one pipe series loop is that it can be zoned. Zoning gives you more
control over where and when you want heat. This can save you money on the cost of heating. As with
many hydronic loop systems the two pipe direct return needs balancing valves. The near boiler piping
may need to be modi ed to prevent large delta T between supply and return.

Boiler Water Loops Two Pipe Reverse Return Hydronic Loop

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The Two Pipe Reverse Return Hydronic Loop uses more pipe than the two pipe direct return hydronic
loop. However, the ow is more balanced and even than the two pipe direct return hydronic loop. All
baseboards and radiators receive the same temperature of water so is the same as the two pipe direct
return. However, it is an advantage over the one pipe series hydronic loop. Zoning is also possible with a
two pipe reverse return hydronic loop. Zoning will o er you savings on your heating bill. It does this by
taking advantage of hydronic loop zoning and large pressure drop.

Conclusion | Boiler Water Loops

It should be noted that any piping system will be more e cient if the piping is insulated especially boiler
piping.

To learn more about hydronics and boiler water loopsuse this resource.

Boiler Water Loops

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Your Resource for HVAC Hydronic Piping Information
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Resources Learn HVAC by browsing our other articles

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To learn more about heating systems and HVAC use this resource.

See the About the Author page for information about the author of this article.

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8 Comments

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Jon on October 26, 2015 at 2:54 pm
Reply
The last n tube in the loop is not getting water. The line has been rodded
but, but the water is intermittent. What changed and what can I do? The ow

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control valve was opened more also.

High Performance HVAC Heating and Cooling on October 26, 2015 at

Reply
7:47 pm

It is likely still clogged. You likely have hard water and thus hard
water problems with lots of minerals in the water. It is a good
idea to ush the system annually if you have hard water. A good
annual ush of the system will prevent future problems like this.

Vern on October 8, 2016 at 8:44 pm

Reply
I have a one pipe system with a mono o tee on the return. Can I it a pump on
there to get more ow?

High Performance HVAC on October 15, 2016 at 11:45 am

Reply
not recommended..a pro needs to look at this to
help.more ow or increased velocity is not always best
and could result in more problems and less e ciency.

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Anthony LoSardo on November 19, 2016 at 10:45 am
Reply
I have a 3 zone mono ow loop system and I dont seem to get enough heat
unless I crank thermostats up to 78 on the rst two oors ?
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High Performance HVAC on November 19, 2016 at 1:54 pm

Reply
First of all you need to answer a few questions?? Has anything in
the loop changed? A new circulator pump? A valve on the main
loop been closed or shut down to restrict ow? Is the pump
turning the proper RPMs? The reason I say this is because ow
for a mono- ow system is very important. Next Id check for air.
Do you have air bleeders on the radiators? If so make sure to
open them until you get water. Its important no air is in the loop.
Air tends to migrate and get stuck in any riser part of the system
including radiators. There are automatic air vents but you likely
have the air vents that require a special key to open them
manually. Once the air is bled from the radiators full ow should
be restored causing proper heating. Additionally, it doesnt hurt
to ush the system with fresh water from time to time. Call you
local HVAC or plumbing contractor to help you with that.

John on August 28, 2017 at 2:17 pm

Reply
my plumber put mono ow tee on the 2 pipe return system
what should i tell him about life ?

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High Performance HVAC on August 28, 2017 at 2:26 pm
Reply

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Life is really simple, but we insist on making it complicated

Confucius

It might work depending on the direction of the ow and how he

installed it. When in a pinch I guess it will workagain
depending on how the ow is and how he installed it.

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