I have hot water heat with cast iron radiators. Right now the piping is 3/4 in. copper in the immediate vicinity of the boiler (which is about 15 years old) but it then connects to old steel pipes. The steel pipes are sizable (the mains are maybe 2.5 in. and the loops to each radiator are 1.5 in.). I think the system used to be gravity-driven judging by the size of the pipes and the way the mains slope slightly up away from the boiler. But now there is a pump. I have been thinking I might want to replace the old steel piping, mainly to increase headroom in the basement, but also to reroute some of the lines which go through outside walls. Could I replace the steel with copper, and if so, how to size the lines? Is there any kind of plastic piping that is suitable for this application? Are there particular advantages or disadvantages of doing this I should know about? Thanks,
- posted
18 years ago