Can a UFH manifold be mounted so that the pipes exit upwards?
E.g. will all the flow meters, activators etc work when unsidedown?

I don't see why not, the flow meters may not be accurate, but the rest should work.

Posted By: TriassicJust a thought, why upside down?

I am putting in radiators but wish to control each room with its own programmer/thermostat. There will be 7 controlled zones (some with two radiators) along with a few radiators that just have TRVs. A UFH manifold gives me a central point to balance the systems (therefore I need the flow meters to work) and saving having to install lots of motorised valves.

As I am using radiators, I can bleed the radiators to remove air from the system.

To minimise the length of pipes needed I wish to put the manifold on the middle floor of the building. However the best location for it is under a ceiling, with all pipes running up into the ceiling.

Posted By: TriassicHow about putting it in the back of a cupboard? This would then allow you space to fit the manifold the right way up. Then fit a false back inside the cupboard to hide the manifold and pipes. I've done something similar with mine and the false back is mounted on magnetic catches.

That would only work if the cupboard was above most of the pipe runs, I rather not have lots of fitting on the pipes and it takes space to change the direction of a pipe.

Posted By: andy-cheshireI have done just this. One manifold upsidedown for individually controlled rads upstairs. One correct way up for ufh downstairs. Works very well.

Thanks, what make and model of manifold did you use?

Did you have per room control on the activates for the radiator manifold?

Thanks Andy,

Does the boiler cope when just one room is requesting heat? (I assume you have a normal gas boiler.)

Andy, you seem to have done what I am thinking of doing in a HMO.

I am having the same concern about boiler cycling, how do you control the boiler so it only fires when needed by the buffer tank?

Have you found a way to include weather compensation in the system?

I will just have radiators and try to size them so all the rooms heat up at about the same speed. Aiming for a flow of no more than 50c most of the year. As I will not be living in the property, I will not be there to turn up the boiler flow T when it is very cold – hence thinking about weather compensation.

As the boiler is also being used for the DHW tank, I need to be able to set a different flow T for when there is hot water demand and when the heating is running – not many boilers allow this. However some boilers have a simple weather compensation system that just controls flow temp of the boiler when there is a demand for heating.
I am thinking of using a UFH wiring center, so I get a “call for heat” signal whenever any of the zones are on.
Then having a buffer tank with a constant pressure pump (e.g. Grundfos ALPHA2) feeding the manifold (no mixing values) running from the top to the bottom of the buffer. Then having the boiler (with its own pump) running from the bottom to the top of the buffer.

Both the boiler and the “manifold pump” will run whenever there is a request for heat and I will just let the boiler cycle control system do its work.

Posted By: djhDon't all combis? I've only ever used one and it certainly did.

The DWH will be provided by a large tank, there are 4 shower that could all be in use at the same time!

Posted By: ringi

Posted By: djhDon't all combis? I've only ever used one and it certainly did.

The DWH will be provided by a large tank, there are 4 shower that could all be in use at the same time!

Yes but the DHW output from a combi could drive the tank at a different temperature to its CH output. No idea whether it's sensible but it's one way to get the extra temperature control you wanted.

Posted By: ringi

Posted By: TriassicJust a thought, why upside down?

I am putting in radiators but wish to control each room with its own programmer/thermostat. There will be 7 controlled zones (some with two radiators) along with a few radiators that just have TRVs. A UFH manifold gives me a central point to balance the systems (therefore I need the flow meters to work) and saving having to install lots of motorised valves.

As I am using radiators, I can bleed the radiators to remove air from the system.

To minimise the length of pipes needed I wish to put the manifold on the middle floor of the building. However the best location for it is under a ceiling, with all pipes running up into the ceiling.

I have been considering using a manifold for my radiators for the same reasons as above. Can you use UFH manifolds for radiators without modifications? I've noticed a couple of manufacturers make radiator manifolds, but they don't look any different from UFH manifolds?

Posted By: ringiRadiator manifolds are more basic

and therefore to cost a shed load less IME

Funny coincidence this thread.

I'm just fitting a JG Speedfit ufh manifold to serve radiators in a single storey annexe to my house.

The pipes used to be buried in the concrete screed (in insulated slab) and the far end of the run would never get hot.

Now replumbing the annexe in the ceiling void under the insulation. Drops to the radiators.

I can fit the manifold in the ceiling void. The advantage of the Speedfit one is that each rail rotates in the frame. So I have fitted the frame horizontally. The return rail is also horizontal. The feed rail with the air bleed and flow meters is vertical but just with elbows immediately feeding each room.

If you can't get the manifold at the top of the system, the air bleed is of no use anyway and you might as well install upside down if that's easier.

Posted By: cubbsWould you still fit radiator valves at all? Even just lockshield valves to allow possible replacement of rads. Or leave valve off to speed up the flow ?

Why would you want to speed up the flow around the CH. If you have a gas boiler its probably condensing type or will be next boiler change and if it is solid fuel then you may have a thermal store, either way you want a low return temp. which means over size rads and/or a slow flow to get the return temp. down.

Years ago (about 40) I put in a CH system with 6mm plastic microbore. It was a coal fired boiler running the CH. We never had any problems with it - except one of the upstairs rads would gravity circulate!

By the way with a TS the rad. water and the TS water are usually one and the same. Your statement " Might not block up with fernox in thermalstore and a magnaclean on the rads circuit?" implies they might be separated.