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Custom Finned-Tube Enclosures Possible?

NTL1991
NTL1991 Member Posts: 104
in THE MAIN WALL

I've been meaning to pick your brains for a while now. Is this doable in a residential setting?

I'm thinking about building some custom built-in's on a wall that has 10' of finned-tube element. There would be no room for any to remain. Could the finned tube be enclosed inside the built-in, provided there's sufficient free area of grating above the suspended fin-tube element, as well as grating near the floor to allow cool air to enter?

I've seen this before in an old train station, heated with hot water. The element was suspended under the tops of the bench backs that line the perimeter of the station. There were intake grilles at floor level as well. Seemed to heat really well in winter with such tall ceilings. Is this sort of thing doable in a residential setting, with 3/4" finned-tube?

Station Building Inside.JPG

Nick, Cranston, RI

Comments

  • EBEBRATT-Ed
    EBEBRATT-Ed Member Posts: 16,400

    Yes. Just make sure the openings are large enough. You need air coming in the bottom below the fintube and out the top. The fin tube when hot acts like a chimney

    NTL1991
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 30

    To calculate the actual heat output of that home made design would be difficult, but it will work. I believe that you can use the elements of any common brand of baseboard element only. They do sell element only.

    Use the ratings of the baseboard as a starting point. If the air way you create ends up with more cubic foot of convection air passing by the element then you may get a little better performance that the baseboard ratings. If, however, you end up with less air flos then you will end up with less heat output.

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    NTL1991PC7060
  • EdTheHeaterMan
    EdTheHeaterMan Member Posts: 9,312
    edited September 30

    Try to make all the air exiting out the top pass by the element.

    Screenshot 2024-09-29 at 9.08.20 PM.png

    like the left illustration. If you have room for air to bypass around the element, then the radiator will be less efficient. See the right illustration

    Edward Young Retired

    After you make that expensive repair and you still have the same problem, What will you check next?

    PC7060
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Member Posts: 10,845

    The commercial installation is probably a convector element or a Trane hidden convector box or a competitor but it works with fin tube as well like others have said. i have seen this built in to kitchen cabinets where they had an intake in the toekick and a slot under the counter for the hot air to rise out.

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