Converting one pipe steam radiators to hot water

TheGerman

I'm putting a boiler in a small ranch style house. I have the urge to put in radiators in a couple of rooms. I found some really ornate radiators but they are one pipe steam with steam vents about 1/3 the way down from the top and it appears the top connections between the sections are very small. Can I drill a vent at the top and tap it to 1/8" FPT? I think I can get the plug out of the opposite end of the existing connection.

Jamie Hall

For hot water they will have to have a cross connection at the top.

Steamhead

@Jamie Hall is right. You can drill all the bleeder openings you want, and they still won't work on hot-water.

But you could always install a steam system in that rancher...................

Solid_Fuel_Man

Post a picture of the rads you are looking at. We can tell you if they will work on water.

dopey27177

The steam radiators will work on a hot water heating system. You wont need vents on the radiators if you install the system with the pumping away method of locating the circ pump.

Jake

JUGHNE

We haven't seen the radiators yet.

EBEBRATT-Ed

I agree post a picture so we can see

veteransteamhvac

Radiators (both hot water and steam, but mostly hot water) are available on Facebook marketplace (Zuckerberg and I aren't pals) at giveaway prices. If you want a hot water system just go source a few there, the sellers will be so happy they found some fool willing to take away that giant, heavy door stop. Find the right radiator that suits your needs, there are even lots with fancy filigree on them.

BTW, if it were me dreaming up interesting places to install old hot water radiators I would specify wide and low (ie; not steam radiators) so I can sit on top of the warm ribs and watch the snow fall through my ranch house picture windows.

Dennis

If you're going to covert what cannot be converted, best to go all the way, install a blower and duct system. If you want to retain the boiler install a hot water or steam coil in a cooling blower.

reggi

veteransteamhvac said:

<Snip> available on Facebook </Snip>

What's Facebook ?

The Steam Whisperer

dopey27177 said:

The steam radiators will work on a hot water heating system. You wont need vents on the radiators if you install the system with the pumping away method of locating the circ pump.

Jake

I have found this to be true too. It may take a bit of time, but the circulating water will gradually absorb the air in the tops of the radiators and bring it back to the air separator near the boiler. I would use at least a B&G IAS ( not a plain air scoop) or a microbubbler air separator for this application.
There are several old Reed type radiators at the Florence Hotel, in historic Pullman (Train car manufacturer company town) that were reused when they pulled out the steam and hacked in a hot water system ( destroying trimwork, tin ceilings and the like). Now they have to inspect 100 some radiators in cold weather to make sure nothing is getting frozen since most of the structure has not been renovated and is not in regular use.

delcrossv

The Steam Whisperer said:

dopey27177 said:

The steam radiators will work on a hot water heating system. You wont need vents on the radiators if you install the system with the pumping away method of locating the circ pump.

Jake

There are several old Reed type radiators at the Florence Hotel, in historic Pullman (Train car manufacturer company town) that were reused when they pulled out the steam and hacked in a hot water system ( destroying trimwork, tin ceilings and the like). Now they have to inspect 100 some radiators in cold weather to make sure nothing is getting frozen since most of the structure has not been renovated and is not in regular use.

That's just sad.