Radiator to Cast Iron Bsbd on Gravity System

Mike C_4

Any advice/limitations to replacing a cast iron radiator on a gravity system to cast iron baseboard. I need at least 12 feet of Burnham 9A to replace this radiator. the radiator is presently fed with 3/4 supply & return piping off the main. The distance to the main is fifteen feet.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

If under gravity flow (not converted to forced flow) I would not replace a standing radiator with any sort of baseboard--most certainly if on the lowest floor. If on 2nd or better yet 3rd floor it might work...

If converted to forced flow, cast iron baseboard is much better than fin tube baseboard. Use the existing radiator as the reference for sizing the baseboard. If TRVs are NOT used and if temp in that room is already in good balance with the rest of the house, I'd add about 20% EDR above the size of the radiator to compensate for the lower water volume and higher reliance on convection. If room too warm, use same amount of EDR or even less is really overheated. If room too cool, add even more than 20%.