How a single -pipe heating system works

There are several systems in place for heating our homes, each with unique benefits and complexities. The single-pipe heating system is one such system that has been in use for a while. Because of its ease of use and effectiveness, this system is common in many older houses and structures, but it is also present in more recent constructions.

A single-pipe heating system has an easy-to-understand concept. This system uses a single pipe to supply hot water and return cold water, rather than having separate pipes for each function. After heating the radiators or other heating components, hot water is pumped through the pipe and cooled, returning the water to the boiler through the same pipe. The heating process can be carried out more efficiently and economically thanks to this continuous loop.

The simplicity of a single-pipe system is one of its main advantages. Compared to other heating systems, the initial setup costs can be lower because there are fewer pipes to install and maintain. The system is also more likely to be smaller, which makes it perfect for homes with limited space. But in order to keep efficiency and stop heat loss, the single pipe must have adequate insulation.

For your heating system to last a long time and perform at its best, you must understand how it operates. A deeper understanding of the workings of a single-pipe heating system can be beneficial, regardless of whether you’re thinking about installing a new system or just want to know more about your existing configuration. You’ll learn why this system has withstood the test of time and how it still provides warmth and comfort to countless homes worldwide as we delve deeper into its inner workings.

Component	Description
Boiler	Heats water to send through the system.
Single Pipe	Carries hot water from the boiler to the radiators and returns cooler water back to the boiler.
Radiators	Heat rooms by transferring heat from the hot water circulating through them.
Thermostat	Monitors room temperature and signals the boiler to heat more water when needed.
Expansion Tank	Helps manage water pressure changes as water heats and cools.

General information about one -pipe heating schemes

The primary uses for single-pipe schemes vary depending on the number of storeys in the home and the number of radiators on a single circuit. For instance, in a high-rise, no more than three radiators can reach the floor from the riser. In the private sector, single- and two-story homes up to 150 m 2 are best suited for these kinds of systems.

Advantages and negative aspects

With consideration for both the advantages and disadvantages of every kind of structure, the appropriate heating system can be selected solely on the basis of operating conditions.

Advantages	Flaws
Saving materials and less labor costs compared to two -pipe options	The uneven heating of radiators – the last batteries in the circuit warmed up worse than the former, (see. Photo under the table), since the coolant comes to them already cooled
Compactness – pipes are easier to hide in the floor or walls	Complex hydraulic calculation, requiring a thorough study of the methodology of conducting
Hydraulic stability, constant heat transfer of elements	Difficulties with the arrangement of a self -combuster supply circuit (without installing a circulation pump)
Low inertia – to fill the highways requires a smaller amount of coolant, which warms up faster	The difficulty of balancing in start -up work – even with an accurate hydraulic calculation, sometimes you have to get a system
It is allowed to install thermoregulating reinforcement for each radiator
Cutting taps and bypasses of batteries allow you to replace the radiator without stopping the system
A simple design available for independent installation with a competent hydraulic calculation

Minimizing negative aspects can be achieved by installing radiators with lots of sections, requiring bypasses, and branching the system.

Design features

The primary characteristic that sets apart a single-pipe turning circuit is the sequential inclusion of all batteries, with the dialing pipe from one battery linked to the entrance of the next. The coolant returns to the boiler after the final radiator in the circuit.

A more capable system uses a bypass to install the radiator, which straps everyone in place.

• balancing the system, achieving approximately equal to the temperature of the batteries;
• Disconnect the radiator with a malfunction or accident;
• adjust the temperature – even with a minimum opening of the tap of the thermostat, the coolant will enter the next convector.

Several indicators are used to categorize heating systems:

• contact of the coolant and air of the premises – open and closed;
• the method of organizing the circulation of the coolant – natural, forced, combined;
• the type of eyeliner of the coolant to the radiators – upper or lower;
• layout – horizontal or vertical.

The efficiency of heating under particular operating conditions is influenced by each of the signs and their combinations.

Open and closed systems

The coolant’s volume rises with the coolant. It appears that there are more fluids than should be in the system. The installation of expansion tanks is offered for a preheated coolant. Their volume is chosen by computing 10–15% of the boiler, pipe, and radiator capacities.

Whether it is closed or open is determined by the design.

Open type

Any capacity that can withstand corrosion and withstand a temperature of up to 80 °C is used as a tank in open options. It could be a corrosion-resistant ferrous metal tank or one made of stainless steel. When the device is positioned at the highest point, the fluid column’s action stops the coolant from flowing.

Crucial! Only clean water is used in open systems. Boiling antifreeze separates potentially harmful or even toxic substances from other substances.

A pipe for connecting to the pipeline is located at the bottom. The water’s surface was left above the surface.

Other methods of calculating evaporated water values involve organizing excess drains into the sewer and connecting to the water supply network (see scheme below).

An automatic variable valve is usually installed in the upper portion of the container, and the tank is frequently made sealed to prevent overflow and automatic air removal. If the tank is located in the attic and is difficult to access, this is the better option.

Closed systems

Sealant expansion tanks with a balloon membrane or a diaphragm are the two types used in closed schemes.

The system is purged to 1.5 atm of pressure before the air chamber’s nipple is used to fill it. After that, add coolant to the system until the manometer reads between 1.8 and 2 atm.

Additionally, the tank runs in automatic mode:

1. When heated, the liquid expands.
2. The pressure rises, the excess of the coolant through the pipe enters the working cavity of the tank.
3. The separating the membrane is elastic, so the working area is increasing. At the same time increases the air pressure in the second compartment of the tank.
4. After cooling, the coolant decreases in volume and membrane, straightening under the influence of compressed air, squeezes the coolant into the heating system.

You can use any antifreeze and glycol heating equipment that the manufacturer permits in closed systems since there is no contact between the working fluid and the building’s air.

The expansion tank in closed systems can be placed anywhere, although it is best to place it close to the boiler because it makes maintenance easier and doesn’t detract from the style of residential building.

Circulation options for the coolant

In single-pipe networks, the coolant can be moved in three different ways:

• gravitational;
• using a circulation pump;
• combined.

The choice is made in accordance with the wiring and house layout.

Self -stroke systems

When creating these networks, the following principles of physics are applied:

1. Thermodynamics – the heated fluid is less dense (light), the more, the greater the more heating.
2. Convection and gravity – a light liquid in a closed circuit rises up, displacing the cooled down.

For heating, heating boilers are utilized. The open-out circuit with an expansion tank and the organization’s plan are identical. Big diameter pipes are installed on the accelerated lifting area, typically two times higher than the main wiring. After cooling in radiators, the coolant enters the boiler.

Crucial! Only open systems are possible with gravitational systems because coolant comes into contact with the expansion tank’s air.

Advantages	Flaws
Energy dependence	Large pipes diameters to minimize hydraulic resistance
Lack of expensive components – a sealed tank and pump

The application of gravitational schemes is limited; they are ineffective at elevations of higher than 7-9 meters and circuit lengths greater than 30 meters.

Forced circulation schemes

Pumps are installed for coolant circulation in both closed and distributed open heating systems.

Advantages	Flaws
Suitable for pipelines of high length	Energy dependence
Quick heating after turning on	When the pump is disconnected or breakdown, the circulation stops
Ease of installation, in which the angles of the slope of the connecting pipes do not take into account	Without reliable reservation of power supply, it is unacceptable to use with solid fuel boilers
The ability to use various types of wiring	High costs for replacing the pump if necessary

Based on hydraulic calculations, the productivity of the pump is chosen to provide a supply of up to 20%.

Crucial! The majority of pumps in use are constructed using the "wet rotor" scheme. The electric motor is lubricated and cooled by the coolant. This leads to the installation of the pump in the "return" pipe rupture, where the coolant is cooled.

It is not advisable to empty the engine of water or antifreeze during the summer months.

Combined systems

A combination technique is frequently employed in open heating types to arrange the coolant’s movement. For this, there exist workarounds.

There are various ways to use the gadget:

1. In case of small frosts, when dumping circulation is enough to warm the radiators, they open a crane, the pump in this case does not use.
2. With insufficient circulation, the valve is blocked and the pump is turned on.
3. When the power is turned off, circulation occurs through an open pipe without using the pump.

Systems with solid fuel boilers that are difficult to stop quickly need a bypass. The working fluid in the heat exchanger rapidly heats up and boils when the circulation is cut off, increasing the risk of an explosion due to the high pressure and possibly damaging the boiler.

Vertical and horizontal wiring

Two options for coolant delivery and wiring are identified through network construction: vertical and horizontal.

The vertical variety is installed in homes starting on the second floor. Use the upper or lower eyeliner to the radiators in this situation.

Using higher-level wiring They have a horizontal pipe with taps in each riser beneath the latter’s ceiling or on the technical floor. After hearing the radiators, flowing coolant gathers in the return pipe.

Advantages	Flaws
Small pipes consumption	Low temperature of the coolant in the radiators of the first floor
Simplicity of installation	Mandatory installation of bypasses on each radiator, so as not to stop heating when replacing or removing the battery
Applicability for a self -stroke system	In apartments, it is impossible to install individual metering devices of the consumed heat
The ability to hide the pipes in the floor with the lower eyeliner	Visible pipes in the upper eyeliner
By installing the collectors, you can organize the "warm floor" system

An independent power supply-independent self-stroke open heating system can be set up with vertical wiring.

Lower-level wiring utilized in contemporary multi-unit and single-family residential buildings with forced coolant circulation. This lowers installation costs, keeps residential properties looking nice, and lets you conceal the pipes in the basement.

Like all single-pipe systems, the method’s primary flaw is the cool coolant in the last circuit radiators.

Standard and straightforward, horizontal wiring is typically found in one-story buildings or on every floor. Collectors are installed in the latter instance.

Leningrad

Leningrad uses one of the most widely used and straightforward schemes for the start of mass, thus the name. One of its features is a method of connecting radiators that is compatible with bypasses in every battery.

The plan works well with both forced and natural coolant circulation in open and closed systems. Both a vertical and horizontal arrangement can be used to implement the design.

Leningrad is therefore a universal design for single-pipe heating systems. She possesses every benefit mentioned, and the drawbacks restrict the use of houses in expansive areas.

Potential Fix! Many heating branches with three to five radiators each are made in large networks. For instance, they have the same first- and second-floor heating contours. It is more advisable to use two-pipe systems in larger houses.

Ways to connect radiators

The recommended method of connecting radiators to the pipeline, as specified by the manufacturer in the battery passport.

They fall into one of three categories:

• diagonal;
• side;
• lower.

How to genuinely select the most affordable heating radiators available

We are aware of the widespread use of aluminum heating radiators.

Yes, of course!A simple and effective method of heating your house is with a single-pipe system. In this configuration, all of the radiators in your home receive hot water from the boiler via a single pipe. Each radiator emits heat as the water runs through it, warming the spaces. The water returns to the boiler to complete the cycle by being reheated after it has cooled. Even with its simplicity, this system can efficiently provide cost-effective, low-maintenance heating for your home during the winter months.

Choosing an effective option

The layout and size of the home, the number of stories, the specifications for the design, and the caliber of the power supply all affect the feasibility of creative solutions.

Considering the attributes, you can suggest:

1. For one -story houses of small area – Leningradka with horizontal wiring.
2. Two -story buildings in places with power supply to the power supply of electricity to equip an open, vertical, gravitational system with bypasses and circulation pumps.
3. Systems with boilers on coal, firewood and pallets are built according to an open scheme with natural circulation.
4. Divide heating into areas with a number of radiators no more than 5 in each.

Local conditions are researched before any design work begins, and only then are decisions made regarding the type of heating system to be used.

Hydraulic calculation of a single -pipe system

The hydraulic calculation is performed to find the circulation pump’s performance as well as the diameter of the connecting pipes on each circuit segment.

1. Determination of heat loss through building structures.
2. Calculation of the required heat transfer of radiators for each room.
3. The selection of the boiler of the required power.
4. The calculation of the diameter of the eyeliner pipes taking into account the speed of circulation of the coolant in the coldest season.
5. The choice of a circulation pump, if you need a remote option.

Determination of heat loss and calculation of radiators

The building’s ceiling, walls, and floor all absorb the heat produced by the boiler. Consider the type of wall material, the quantity and size of windows and doors, and the level of insulation.

You can use the calculator on our website:

They use an approximate option for small houses. It is estimated that 1.5–2 kW of boiler capacity and radiator heat transfer performance are needed in the northern regions to heat 10 m 2 areas. The indicator in the middle lane is 1-1.5 kW, while in the southern regions, it is 0.6-1 kW. The information is accurate for homes with medium- or high-grade thermal insulation and capital walls.

Obtain the information required for further computations once you are aware of the house’s dimensions. Finding out how many radiators are needed in each room is crucial. Radiators made of aluminum and bimetallic materials typically radiate between 120 and 210 watts per section. By dividing the power required for the room by the section’s performance, the battery’s dimensions can be found.

The choice of the boiler

If the coolant does not warm up to its maximum temperature, the heating boiler will run for a lot longer. In this sense, the apparatus is selected to be 10%–20% more potent than the computed heat losses. For instance, they buy a boiler intended for 12–14 kW even though they lose 10 kW.

Determination of the cross -section of the pipes

The ideal coolant flow rate through pipes is between 0.3 and 0.7 m/s. Radiators may not heat up enough at low temperatures if the parameter is below. Radiators frequently occur at higher speeds, and noise is audible. The internal section of the pipes should be chosen based on the flow rate.

The formula G = 860*Q/ΔT determines the required coolant flow rate, wherein:

• G – kg/h consumption;
• Q – thermal power in the circuit (kW);
• ΔT – the difference in the temperature of the coolant at the input and output of the radiator, more often 20 about C.

For instance, we obtain the heat carrier consumption as follows: 860*2/20 = 85 kg/h to guarantee the 2 kW circuit’s heat transfer.

The flow rate and the released thermal performance are further compared in special tables. In our example, there is enough pipe with an internal section of 8 to 12 mm for 2 kW of radiators. surrounded by a red frame in the table.

Each contour’s data is applied to the overall scheme. Determine the pipe diameter to use as an eyeliner for a group of contours or for each riser by summing the data that was collected.

The choice of the pump

Modern electric and gas boilers come with an integrated pump. The boiler’s power determines the manufacturer’s choice for its performance.

Coolant flows in each circuit are added up to determine the required productivity of the drained pump. In order to force the pump to operate in sparing mode, supply a stock of 15-20% in performance.

During the cold months, a single-pipe heating system is a cost-effective and sensible way to keep your house warm. In a single-pipe system, hot water is delivered to the radiators and then circulated back to the boiler using just one pipe, as opposed to traditional two-pipe systems, which use a supply and return pipe for heating water. This simplicity can still effectively heat your entire home while simplifying and lowering installation costs.

How then does it operate? Well, the one pipe is how hot water from the boiler gets to all of the radiators in your house. The rooms warm as the water circulates through each radiator, producing heat. The water returns to the boiler to be reheated before being pumped out once it has gone through every radiator. Your house will always be warm without wasting energy thanks to this ongoing loop.

A single-pipe system’s ability to distribute heat fairly evenly among all of the radiators is one of its advantages. One room may not be noticeably warmer or colder than another since the water passes through each radiator in turn. In addition to making your home more comfortable, this could lower your heating costs.

To sum up, a single-pipe heating system provides an easy-to-use and efficient way to heat your house. For many homeowners, it’s a popular option because of its simplicity and capacity to distribute heat evenly. A single-pipe system might be the effective and affordable solution you’ve been searching for, whether you’re renovating your current heating system or building a new house.

Video on the topic

The work of a single -pipe heating system of a house and veranda