Towel Warmer Radiator

Merlin

We have a 70 year old house with a steam boiler and finnned tube convector heating units.  We are remodeling the master bath and would like to replace the convector with a radiator/ towel warmer.  Is there such a product?  I have seen hydronic and electric but not steam.  We also plan to put radiant heat under the floor.  If it is not possible to connect a towel warmer/ radiator unit to this system, can the radiant heat use the steam system?

gerry gill

you can do a towel warmer

by pulling a water loop off the steam boiler. This will do both the floor and towel warmer, altho they will have to be set up to operate at different temps. Perhaps the info here will help. http://www.gwgillplumbingandheating.com/webapp/GetPage?pid=420

Merlin

Hot water Loop

Thank you for your reply.  I am not familiar with the water loop you describe or the hot water unit shown in the link you provided.  The bathroom is quite a distance from the boiler and I am assuming the loop is a new pipe extension from the boiler. 

We are also considering adding a tankless point-of-use propane water heater to the attic and weighing the cost of running the propane to that part of the house (we presently have propane in the kitchen only, which is quite a distance from the Master Bath) or using electric for this bath.  Could the tankless water heater also heat the floor and towel warmer?  Or, could the hot water loop provide more efficient hot water?

gerry gill

depends.

How hot can a tankless heater get? The towel warmer should operate around 150F..I've never installed a tankless heater so i cannot adequately answer that part of your question.

Charlie from wmass

Not in the state of Massachusetts

domestic water heaters can only be used for heating if 1. the manufacter says so and 2. the run is less than 50 feet from boiler and back. If you have steam the way Gerry has it is better. Also running pipe for such a small zone is not that big of a deal in most homes.