Radiator Removal

fairmountBob

We recently purchased a property in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. The home has steam heating, but we are converting to forced air. The home is from either 1915 or 1922, radiators are original. Would like to sell them if possible, but they are still in place. They would need to be removed from the property. Also scrapping the old boiler and piping. Pics show the types in the house, I do not have a count yet.

Jamie Hall

You'll be sorry... steam is a lot more comfortable than hot air. A LOT more comfortable. If you haven't already ruined things, contact @gerry gill who will get that steam system running just wonderfully, and you will love it.

KC_Jones

Don't do it, you will regret it if comfort is a standard for you. Not to mention how intrusive the forced hot air will be to that beautiful house.

I have to ask, what has someone lied to you about that convinced you this is a good idea?

Forced hot air is a downgrade, I really wish our society would get more educated to this.

Newer doesn't mean upgrade it just means newer.

1Matthias

Don't do it! Properly balanced and maintained, steam heat is *so* much better than forced air. I've lived with both, and can honestly say that I would never live in another house with forced air again, at least without immediately ripping it out and installing steam or hot water heat. Invest in your own comfort, and restore the existing system, instead of ripping it out and installing an expensive, inferior replacement.

Fred

Why would you do that? You will never know the comfort of steam. What a shame.

ScottSecor

Not sure about your area, but here in NJ you would have to pay a pretty penny to remove the old radiators, boiler and piping. I know we don't discuss pricing here on the wall, but I would guess you are looking at thousands. Not that simple to disconnect and remove 800lb radiators while protecting those shiny floors and detailed molding.

KC_Jones

Not to mention the expense to properly repair all the holes left by the old piping. That could go way up as well, I am pretty sure people never factor that in or just do garbage repairs. Restoration work like that is never cheap.

Steamhead

That's not just steam, it's VAPOR! More specifically, an "O-E" Vapor system, which I believe was made in or near Cleveland- @gerry gill would know for sure. Vapor was the Cadillac of heating in its day, and is still one of the best, most efficient systems out there.

If you rip this system out to put in "scorched-error", you WILL regret it. That house will never be comfortable in the winter again.

If someone told you you have to rip this system out to put in A/C, they are lying, as well as trying to take your money. Look into a mini-duct or mini-split system for your A/C and keep the Vapor.

brandonf

Dude. Call Gerry Gill. Then get a Unico system for A/C. Steam is awesome. Keep it.

JUGHNE

You will have to punch a lot of holes in the floor to compensate for the size of windows you have. Forced air will barely heat the place without a lot of air flow.

KC_Jones

https://heatinghelp.com/find-a-contractor/detail/g-w-gill-plumbing-and-heating

Call Gerry and don't look back!

7601 First Place, Suite A-2
Oakwood Village, OH 44146

https://www.gwgillplumbingandheating.com/

Gerry Gill
Email
Phone 440-252-7120 or 440-439-4417

Jamie Hall

I think we lost our OP -- "my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts..."

Fred

Jamie Hall said:

I think we lost our OP -- "my mind is made up, don't confuse me with the facts..."

LOL, I suspect he/she is lurking in the background, probably questioning his decision. I hope he changes his mind for the sake of his family's comfort.

delta T

What a shame, looks to be in excellent shape (at least what we can see of it).

LJPurvis

I could not agree more with EVERY response to this post. We use geothermal and the same type of radiators and we love it. Further, we have a neighbor that had decided to do the same thing you are talking about. They regret it...BIG TIME. They now suffer from higher heating bills with the benefit of having cold spots and hot spots in the house.
They only removed the radiators because they didn't like the looks of them and now they are very sorry.

Steamhead

Anyone else notice the picture on the original post has been changed?

youngster_plumber

Amen to all who commented above. Will be the biggest regret of your renovation project

KC_Jones

I'm pretty sure the OP didn't like the things we said and went ahead with the tear out. If so I feel sorry for them and the false bill of goods they were sold.

JohnNY

I'm horrified by this post.

Horrified.

Intplm.

It is a shame. I am currently talking my niece into not removing her steam heating system in her beautiful 1912 house.

KC_Jones

JohnNY said:

I'm horrified by this post.

Horrified.

I would love to know what happened with this place. Those pictures show a gorgeous house that should be preserved, heating system included.