Adding additional steam heat

Dave_23

Hi there. I have a WM gas-fired Trane two pipe vapor steam system. It's works perfectly for the most part. Boiler resides in the basement.



I have a second floor master bedroom in a 1928 home that desperately needs more heat. My sense would be to install some cast iron baseboard along the widest exterior wall under a large picture window.



The room was expanded many years ago to about 3x its size, but still has its original small rad, which can't be upsized without enlarging its footprint. Besides, it's in the wrong location anyway.



To add the baseboard I'm referring to, I would have to open up wet plaster walls and hardwood floors, both of which present significant challenges, not to mention tapping into the supply and return piping. I really don't want to add electric heat to the space.



Any suggestion for steam heat retrofits? Have others tackled similar problems?

vaporvac

HW Loop?

Hello fellow Trane Vaporvac owner!  Many times people will run a hot water loop off their existing boiler which basically uses the pick-up factor to heat the water. I'm not sure how complicated that is or if it's possible in your situation, but I'm sure the experts can weigh in with their thoughts. There is a calculator to determine how many btus you'll need for whatever size radiator you choose.  Just a possibility.

Dave_23

Adding additional steam heat

Thanks. Looking for good ideas. I might be able to fish some PEX or other flexible piping to the location.

EBEBRATT-Ed

additional heat

Do a heat loss and make sure what you are adding will do the job. You don't want to have to do it twice. Adding hot water heat is the way to go and while probably not an easy install will be easier than adding steam.

One of Dan's books (forgot which one) explains in detail how to add a hot water zone to a steam boiler.

Ed