steambaseboard

davem1

I have a one pipe steam system. Can I replace an old rad with 10 feet of baseboard without having to install a drip at the end. its a straight run that I'm sure I could pitch back to the supply. thanks davem

Steve_210

Is it

Cast iron BB with 3/4" tappings, if so the tapping would be too small to handle that amount of condensate.

A friend once suggested using both tappings for supplies and use a larger supply pipe, but I have never tried this. Perhaps somebody else has. If it was me I would find a return and pipe it as shown in LAOSH

furnacefigher15

venting is key

If you can pitch even a little this will help.



Don't put the air vent in the top, put it in the lower pipe tap opposite of where the steam feed will be.



Be careful, use a radiation reference guide to size the baseboard to the old radiator and match output, or do a heat loss on the room, and add 20% for possible condensate blockage.

furnacefigher15

also use both taps on one side

Use both the upper and lower tapping for the supply feed on one side.

Mark N

Baseboard

According to the "Lost Art of Steam Heating" a 10ft length of steam baseboard would need to be pitched 5" to get the condensate to drain. It is recommended to pipe like it is 2-pipe then the pitch is 1" in 20ft.

kcopp

another simpler option...

are these... http://steamradiators.com/

davem1

steambaseboard

they are  5ft units with 1-1/4 inlets and outlets

davem1

steambb

there are no upper and lower tappings on baseboard units

Steamhead

If your present radiators are cast-iron

you should replace them with cast-iron. Steel radiators like the ones at steamradiators.com cool off much faster than cast-iron, which can lead to discomfort.



If you want a different radiator, why not use a cast-iron one of a different shape?

furnacefigher15

Not cast Iron?

I assumed you meant cast iron baseboard. I would not even try anything else. Cast iron whether its a radiator or baseboard is the only way to go in a residential situation using steam.



Even if you could match the heat capacity, the steel or copper will cool too fast on an off cycle and leave that room continually off step with the pace of the rest of the system.