James of the North

Here's some examples of masses of transition pipes at 50mm spacings, NOT sleeved. Must result in over heated areas above 27 to 29 degrees if the flow temps are set to achieve 27 to 29 in the rooms they are going to? Is my assumption correct, that if a flow temp and flow rate for a particular circuit to achieve a floor surface temp (top of screed) of N degrees (27, 29 etc.), then bunching up a load of transition pipes together with closer spacing, will result in a higher floor surface temperature? LoopCAD doesn't seem to model this; looks like it creates an 'average' floor temp (can't see an analysis view for hot spots 🥵) What about short-circuiting from flow to returns, at what is the extremeity of the circuit (hottest part of the flow, coolest part of the return)? I can't see how the floor temperature can be controlled in these areas 🥵. Surely will lead to much higher floor surface temperature, for whatever floor covering is going above (tile or brick slips would be fine, but carpet, wood etc.

The bend radius is the same for 50mm pipe spacings on 90 degree corners, as it is for any other pipe spacing, which is the bulk of a sprial counterflow circuit. It's only in the middle you have to revert to 150mm spacing to create one or two 180 degree returns.

I'm genuninely curious to know if there are any negatives other than those I outlined (cost, etc.) for 50mm spacings. Thanks

Yo! Accoring to LoopCAD we are struggling in a couple of rooms to achieve required load with our params (flow temp, heat loss, floor covering etc.). For example, a side extension with 3 out of 4 rooms glazed floor to ceiling, and kitchen with a smaller floor area due to cabinets and penisular on 3.5 walls. I've not been able to find out much about running at 50mm pipe spacings, and I would only do it in these very limited situations (trying to avoid supplemental heating), and use regular pipe spacings in the rest of the rooms. Are there any bad effects of doing this, other than the extra cost of an extra circuit (pipe and more manifold ports)? For example heat short circuiting from the flow to the return due to the closer proximity? Floor not taking the heat as easily or quickly when so much heat presented to it? I've seen photos of UFH pipework where for limited distances, like transition runs, or around the outsides of rooms, people run pipes almost touching (just the pipe staples preventing them from touching), and not sleeved, or, at 50mm pipe spacings when using the egg crate type panels, so this suggests there aren't any 'bad effects' for the heated floor area of floor covering above? More heat in the floor due to closer spacings = more heat output into the room? Anyone any experience of 50mm pipe spacings in limited situations (even just on lenghty transition runs - can you notice a difference compare to standard pipe spacings)? Retrofit, not PH & gas boiler not HP. James the Red Engine