Replacing an apartment bathroom steam heater with radiant flooring

Riverside

Hello. I was wondering if it was possible to replace a 1930s steam radiator from a pre-war apartment bathroom in New York (I'm on the 8th floor of a 14 floor building) with radiant heat flooring. I didn't know if I could convert the steam to hot water locally or if I could eliminate the steam unit altogether and just install an electric floor radiant heat system. I don't have a lot of extra electricity to spare in the apartment so I'm wondering if electric radiant flooring systems must be on a separate circuit breaker or not too. The reason I want to eliminate the original steam heater is to clear up floor space in the bathroom.



Thanks in advance.

Mad Dog_2

Conversion not possible..................

Depending on the heat loss requirements of the new bathroom, and assuming you will be re-insulating, you"ll likely be able to use much less energy to heat the room. As much as I love Hydronics (fluid -based heating and cooling) you might be better off with electric radiant. I'm certain they would require a seperate breaker, but I don't think they draw crazy amps. Last, keep in mind, irrespective of the literature these companies put out, the mats are good for floor "WARMING" NOT 100% reliable heating source. That being said, in a well-insulated room, in an apartment bldg, you might be just fine. Get a Pro in there. to know fer sure. Mad Dog

ChicagoCooperator

Your by-laws may say no...

Since you plan on renovating I assume you live in an owner-occupied coop

(or condo). Your by-laws/management/board may not allow you to

[permanently] remove a radiator and if you install a radiant mat under

the floor and it's not sufficient it may be a sticking point in future

sales while increasing electric bills. You might want to research other

radiator options, especially since you are paying for the heat source in

your assessments, particularly if you are renovating a bathroom.



I'll second Mad Dog on his advice to bring in a professional.



(same response in general forum as well)

Steamhead

Also consider

the wisdom of putting electrical equipment in the floor of a "wet" room. Tile floors tend to develop small cracks, which could let water get to the radiant, possibly causing a shock.



Then consider that if the radiant fails, you have to tear the floor up to get heat in there again. This is messy and expensive.



They make steam radiators in different shapes and sizes. Surely there is something that will do the job while taking up less space.