Replacing Single Pipe Radiator

Steamhead (in transit)

is a heat-loss calculation. Find out how much heat you need to put into each room.

Traditional cast-iron radiators are still made, but aren't cheap. I'm assuming this is a steam system since you said "single pipe". You might be able to find used radiators, or for more modern units that will work with one-pipe steam, go here:

www.steamradiators.com

<A HREF="http://www.heatinghelp.com/getListed.cfm?id=367&Step=30">To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Professional"</A>

John_165

Replacing Single Pipe Radiators

Can anyone point me to my options for replacing my old sinlge pipe radiators with newer and SMALLER units.

Brad White

Not to rain on the parade but

If you go the Steam Radiator Company route (nice products, the Charlston in particular), replace all of them. They are thermodynamically different than cast iron with about half the mass. During off cycles, these rooms will be perceptably cooler if the others have cast iron. Understanding that, use them everywhere.

Do as Steamhead says, start with a calculated heat loss and match the radiators to those. Then if you are going to town on this, match the boiler to the new radiator EDR. Best of all outcomes.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Here's a link to the Steam Radiator Company

Note the thing sticking out from the upper-right side of the radiator on the right side of the main page. That's a TRV (thermostatic radiator valve).

As Brad wisely mentioned, these radiators are quite different with regards to heat transfer compared to standing, cast iron.

If you're willing to go to the expense of replacing all--or nearly all--a bathroom is a reasonable exception--of your radiators, INCLUDE THE TRVs.

And again as Brad wisely mentioned, conduct a complete room-by-room heat loss analysis, size the new rads to the load and replace the boiler if it winds up way oversized (likely).

If all of this sounds expensive, you're correct. If you don't want the expense, my best suggestion is to live with the radiators you have.