Best single pipe steam unit for tiny space?

kateye

We're gut renovating an 8'x5' bathroom in 1930s home...old layout had a small (approx. 10"Lx19"Hx4.5"W) single pipe steam cast iron radiator immediately next to the toilet. We had a cover on it since it was so close to our legs. We want to stick with steam but we're hoping to find a better solution for the layout. Should we consider a recessed unit, a wall mounted steam unit (Castrads has one?), a wall mounted Runtal steel steam unit, or is there something else we should consider? We could also partially recess the existing unit which would give us a few more inches of space. Thank you in advance for any suggestions!

Steamhead

Can you post a picture of the existing radiator?

kateye

This is the radiator...



And this is the bathroom before demo...we hope to eliminate the bump out in the corner by replacing the cast iron stack with PVC and push the toilet to be flush against the back wall (it was about 4" away from the wall before demo).

We found that we have 3 AC ducts in the left wall so that may limit our options since we don't want to re-route them.

Mad Dog_2

Steamview Radiators make a nice wall-mounted steam Radiator. Of course, you'll be installing new insulation .  You'll be able to put a much smaller Radiator in if you do.  Mad Dog 🐕 

kateye

That is a good point! Would Runtal/Steamview be able to tell me the BTU/radiator size needed for my room?

mattmia2

You need to do a heat loss calculation but you also need to balance it with the rest of the system at least roughly. If all the other emitters are significantly oversized and you size this to just the loss of the room the boiler will shut off because of the other spaces heating before this space heats. You can balance some with vents but it is a lot easier if it is basically balanced to begin with.

kateye

So if we replace, would it be recommended to replace with a unit with roughly the same BTUs as the existing radiator in order to keep the system balanced (even if oversized for the space)? We have already removed two radiators from the original system (one from main bedroom where we had two radiators, since it was too hot) and one from a sun room that we renovated (and where we unfortunately installed hot water baseboard.). I am not sure if that makes a difference in the balance of the system!

EBEBRATT-Ed

Gerry Gils solution with the vertical pipe radiator would be ideal for this. It's pictured somewhere on this site.

kateye

EBEBRATT-Ed said:

Gerry Gils solution with the vertical pipe radiator would be ideal for this. It's pictured somewhere on this site.

I think this is it...
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/151994/new-steam-mini-tube-installation-in-ohio/p1
It would definitely save us space but I'm not sure who could make this for me!

kateye

We are leaning towards buying a new but slimmer 2 column cast iron radiator that will give us a little more room next to the toilet. How do I determine the BTUs of existing radiator so I can choose an appropriately size replacement? Thank you again!

Mad Dog_2

As Mattmia..said above...do a Simple heatloss for the room and then size your radiator accordingly...otherwise you're just guessing...Mad Dog 🐕 

pecmsg

With 3 interior walls and 1 exterior, that room doesn’t need much at all. 

Steamhead

The vent on that radiator is in the wrong place, so it's not heating to its full capacity. If it was heating the room properly, you could use a slightly smaller rad and put the vent in the proper location, with no loss of performance.