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Adding radiators to a steam heat system

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Robin1
Robin1 Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
We recently bought an 1900 Victorian. When the upstairs bathroom was remodeled (prior to our purchase) no heat was installed. We also have a sunroom that had a radiator removed (pipe still in the floor). There was also a radiator removed in the entry hall (again, pipe in the floor). We have been told we need to determine if the system we now have (we don't know how old, but it is definitely newer than the pipes connected to it) can handle more radiators, and there is a formula used to accomplish this. Does anyone know the formula?

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  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    EDR

    The nameplate on your boiler should give the make, model number, and the sq ft of steam rating (EDR). Radiators can be sized the same way, you find the EDR of all the radiators and add them up, as long as the boiler has more EDR than the radiator total you can add radiators - just don't allow the total to go over the boilers rated EDR.



    If somebody can get the Boiler Sizing PDF it will help you figure out a radiators EDR. I cannot upload PDF's for some reason.



    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,576
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    system sizing

    the condensing capacity of all the radiators and piping is expressed in square feet of EDR. this factor must equal the rating of the boiler [not the building heat-loss!!!].

    you must measure the different radiators, and post them here [with pictures if possible], and we will give you the EDR for each. some estimate must be made of the btu needs for the bathroom, and other locations where the radiators were removed. then you or your steam pro can see whether the present boiler will handle the load.

    the good news in your case is that many inexperienced installers tend to oversize the boiler, but you should check just in case.

    one example of many:--nbc

    http://www.heatinghelp.com/forum-thread/144118/Help-Calculating-EDR

    what is your location?
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