Towel rad piping across the attic.

[TerryH]

Ladies & Gents,
A little advice, please.
I have a customer who wants her radiators in the en-suite and main bathroom changed from, 'on with heating only' to 'on at any time', ie conventional heated towel radiator function.
The main bathroom is easy because I only have to take the pipe runs through the airing cupboard wall. Nice!

Can you advise me if its ok to take the feeds for the other rad up out of the airing cupboard and across the attic before dropping runs down to the rad in chrome pipe? I was concerned about good circulation to this radiator. I assume it is ok because the feed to the rads has to be taken off between the pump and 3-port valve, so plenty of push behind it.
Am I correct?
Thanks for your time,
TerryH.

 

[galaxy_plumbing]

could you fit an electric heating element?

 

[Best]

If it's a sealed heating system it will work well. Be sure to run the pipes with a slight fall, from whatever end is best & manual air vents fitted. They will work dead level if free of air, but can cause problems, especially when draining down & refilling etc.
You could run the pipes up from airing cuboard to a high point, then tee for vents & then gradual fall to above towel rad, for example. The falling pipe could perhaps be fitted at side of attic, out of main floor space area. Obviously support for exact fall needed & heavy insulation on pipes.
If the towel rad is to be on mostly, then might be advisable to consider a TRV on it to stop room overheating in warmer days & to save fuel.

 

[TerryH]

Thanks for the quick replies
Galaxy.... I had considered an electric option and advised the customer that may be cheaper, but while I'm draining down etc for the bathroom, I may as well swing across the attic.

Best..., thanks for the detailed advice, I was going to put aav's at the high spot in the attic and, as you say, lots of thick lagging. TRV's are a good idea too, thanks.

I'd like to put drain off cocks in too, but using chrome pipe did not want to spoil the look and have just answered my own question.... trv/dov combis are available ... great!

Thanks again for your help,
TerryH.

 

[Best]

Terry, - avoid using any AAVs. Save money & use manual vents. The auto vents are fairly pointless & not needed on those pipes especially. What's the worst that could happen if you used manual vents? Those auto vents leak easily, plus the one on the return can absorb air when the bolier pump is going. Sealed systems don't have air problems anyhow.

 

[kris]

How do you plan to control on off periods or are u simply having the towel rail on when hot water or heating on, ? It will be some size of bypass lol

 

[ringi]

If you have pipes in the loft, they will get a very high heat lose unless VERY well insulated.