Can this towel warmer be converted to steam

pureh

Hello,

Can anyone tell me if it is possible to convert a Hudson reed Marquis Traditional Hydronic Towel Warmer (http://usa.hudsonreed.com/marquis-traditional-hydronic-towel-warmer-18-3-x-36-8.html) to a steam system?

Mark Eatherton

Based on the manufacturers statement "Please Note: Our radiators are designed for hot water forced circulation closed loop systems only. They are not compatible with open loop, gravity or steam systems.", I'd venture a guess and say probably not a good idea. If it fails, your insurance company could deny the claim based on misapplication.

I'd even be cautious about using it in a hot condensate application due to oxygen.

ME

pureh

Thanks for the quick reply. I'm assuming that a steam system can't be adapted in just one room to a forced hot water system to accommodate this radiator?

Steamhead

You could, but it would take a lot of extra piping and controls. I'd simply get a traditional radiator 38" tall, with enough capacity to heat the room properly, and have it stripped and repainted. It'll work just as well.

pureh

I have the original radiator which is actually really beautiful. They were restored in the whole place (except for the bathroom which has one inside a wall right now) Unfortunately, I was looking to add a linen closet (the original radiator would block the door opening too much....floor space is at a premium) and also wanted a towel warmer so this was killing two birds with one stone.

vaporvac

Perhaps some sort of a sliding door or do you need the door, at all? It's often problematic having the linen near the bathroom due to moisture.

vaporvac

Or, do a single HW loop off the steam boiler. It's done often, but usually for a larger space.

pureh

vaporvac: Is that generally really expensive to do a single hw loop off the steam boiler?

pureh

Actually, couldn't we just hook this up to a small tankless water heater?

SWEI

Electric towel warmers generally cost less than half what a hydronic model does.