QUESTION FROM Tom

I would like to install 1/2" he-pex tubing to supply baseboard heat in a basement. The rest of the system is supplied by 3/4" copper. Is the size reduction in pipe going to cause a problem?

ANSWER FROM POLICY-Wizard™

Dear Tom:

Without seeing the exact layout of your heating system, it's hard to tell whether the size reduction is going to cause a problem.

But in general, adding an additional section of baseboard heat to an existing system adds additional heating load, and you would need to check the zone to which this is added to see if it has enough capacity for this (which typically requires a professional to do the calculations). But also, because you would be adding a section with piping that is smaller in diameter than the rest of the zone, then this will restrict flow that can circulate through the entire zone, and this could therefore affect the heating capacity of the entire zone.

Hope this is helpful.
Home-Wizard.com