Question for engineers & others familiar with pipes and heat

**Kaabee** · 03-01-11, 10:57 PM

what are the pipes made of?

**poochiecollins** · 03-01-11, 11:19 PM

Originally posted by Kaabee

what are the pipes made of?

He says copper.

**doublej95** · 03-01-11, 11:46 PM

Your grandfather is right, increasing the water temperature can lead to corrosion in the copper pipes. But if the furnace is rated for 200 degrees then an increase in the temperature should be fine. I would double check what the service man told you about what to increase it to. Try to find the ratings for that model. The danger lies in increasing the temperature above the manufacturer's rating.

**poochiecollins** · 03-02-11, 08:20 PM

Originally posted by doublej95

Your grandfather is right, increasing the water temperature can lead to corrosion in the copper pipes. But if the furnace is rated for 200 degrees then an increase in the temperature should be fine. I would double check what the service man told you about what to increase it to. Try to find the ratings for that model. The danger lies in increasing the temperature above the manufacturer's rating.

Your creds?

Also bumping for moar replies.

**doublej95** · 03-02-11, 08:45 PM

civil engineering degree.

**RubberKettle** · 03-02-11, 08:52 PM

Its tough to diagnose this stuff of the phone, even tougher to do this online, but I do no think the water temperature is the problem.

Many boilers run at 180 degrees and heat large spaces.

If you have hot water running through the pipes copper or steel is ok, even though copper might experience more wear overtime. But, most old buildings with oil fired boilers are single steel pipe systems.

What you need to do is identify the areas with insufficient heating. Most likely the heating elements (baseboard/ radiators) in these rooms need to be bleed.

I'm not a plumber, but I sell this stuff for a living. I can ask our plumber for the multitude of problems that could be causing this tomorrow if you'd like.

**Cicima6709** · 03-02-11, 08:54 PM

I second what doublej95 said. Im about to graduate as a civil engineer.

Water temperature can def. lead to corrosion of copper pipes, but it depends on what the pipes/furnace was designed for. Depending on the design values, the pipes can be completely fine, or could get corroded over time. However, copper is used for water due to the fact that its really good against corroding due to water...aka it has a very long life even with being exposed to water.

Essentially, people normally care about the temperature of water when trying to figure out the velocity. As water the water temperature gets higher, you want the water to be moving slower.

Honestly, i think you'd be fine either way. Id look into what temperature the design temperature is, but even 20 degrees shouldnt effect a copper pipe that much, and if it does, you wont notice problems for a LOONG time.

**OMGRandyJackson** · 03-02-11, 10:18 PM

Couldn't the pipes and furnace be rated differently?

**poochiecollins** · 03-03-11, 10:44 PM

Originally posted by RubberKettle

Its tough to diagnose this stuff of the phone, even tougher to do this online, but I do no think the water temperature is the problem. Many boilers run at 180 degrees and heat large spaces. If you have hot water running through the pipes copper or steel is ok, even though copper might experience more wear overtime. But, most old buildings with oil fired boilers are single steel pipe systems. What you need to do is identify the areas with insufficient heating. Most likely the heating elements (baseboard/ radiators) in these rooms need to be bleed. I'm not a plumber, but I sell this stuff for a living. I can ask our plumber for the multitude of problems that could be causing this tomorrow if you'd like.

I'm addressing my grandfather wanting to essentially put a cap on how high he'll turn the temperature up to, while infrequently lowering the temperature when the weather's not that cold, implying high heat corrodes much more than medium heat; the impression I'm getting from the responses is "no."

I wasn't thinking about an overall insufficient heat problem, but on that note, would you know how common it is for a heating system as I described not adequately heating a building for 20s or 10s F. outside temperature?

**poochiecollins** · 03-03-11, 10:53 PM

Originally posted by OMGRandyJackson

Couldn't the pipes and furnace be rated differently?

I wondered about this. I was going to ask the furnace company about that.

Thanks to all replies, btw. I'll be giving all helpers a few points.

**THE PROFIT** · 03-04-11, 12:01 AM

I lay pipe & it creates friction & moisture in panties, but Im no engineer

**RubberKettle** · 03-04-11, 11:55 AM

Originally posted by poochiecollins

I'm addressing my grandfather wanting to essentially put a cap on how high he'll turn the temperature up to, while infrequently lowering the temperature when the weather's not that cold, implying high heat corrodes much more than medium heat; the impression I'm getting from the responses is "no."

Unless someone f'd up badly installing this system you really don't have to worry about the pipes corroding. Steel/ Copper boiler loops last a long long time if done properly. Sometimes the lines get clogged and a plumber would use nitrogen at a high psi to clear them. If they are really badly clogged they might need to be replaced.

Originally posted by poochiecollins

I wasn't thinking about an overall insufficient heat problem, but on that note, would you know how common it is for a heating system as I described not adequately heating a building for 20s or 10s F. outside temperature?

Its really impossible to tell without a radiation schedule.

Does the system heat some rooms properly and others poorly? Is the whole building cold when its 20degrees?