hydronic basebourd on a steam system ?

Bob_19

I would have to agree on that, avoid using them if at all possible, Without knowing the size of the rooms and baseboard, and only assuming everything I don't see you getting enough heat in to them during a steaming cycle, they will get cold to fast.

Rick Mc.

hydronic basebourd on a steam system ?

Looking for ideas on baseboard heating on a steam system

Steamhead

You can use either steam or water

in your baseboard, but either way it should be hooked up as 2-pipe. Dan's book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" covers this topic- order a copy on the Books and More page of this site if you don't already have one.

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steve_6

baseboard heat

Just curious, why do you want to use baseboard? Are you adding to an existing system or are you replacing radiators?

Rick Mc.

JUST CURIOUS

Steve, I have a customer with an existing steam system, boiler recenly replaced. They have electric heat in two rooms on the second floor. There looking for an inexpensive solution, new steam radiators are an option, or even used. They were told by another contractor that they could use baseboard. I am looking into it, something I have not tried yet. If you have any ideas or suggestions I would like to them!

THANKS, RICK

Steamhead

Rick, if I were you

I'd get some good used radiators and pipe them in. It's easy, and each room would heat up the same.

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steve_6

I agree with steamhead

You don't want to mix fin tube with cast iron radiation, in the same system. They heat differently. Fin tube heats up fast and cools down fast. Cast iron heats up a little slower but keeps on radiating long after that fin tube cools down.

steve_6

just one more thing

You want to sell them on the comfort factor . Not on what's the cheapest way to go.

Rick Mc.

THANKS

Thanks alot guys, your input is very helpful!!!

Pat

baseboard off a steam system

If the new boiler has the space for a tankless you could run a small copper baseboard loop off a tankless. Either way it's going to cost a few bucks. Even used cast iron rads have a value.
Good Luck!

Unknown

Steamhead

If you go with the steel tube type 1 1/4 inch dia. baseboard - I think Slant Fin makes it - and you make it 2 pipe , wheres the best place to install the vent ? I run across this sometimes with the vent in all sorts of configurations . Would there be a problem putting it on , for example , the return pipe that goes straight down to a wet return ? I mean installing it in the basement , but in a tee that is high - like close to the rafters ? I'm just asking because some people dont like the bulky vent sticking out of an end cap .

Unknown

that's a great idea

as long as you stay above the A dimension on a one piper, with the baseboard piped as a two piper.

It has to be above the water in the loop seal, if you tie back into the supply pipe, instead of the wet return.

Great idea.

Noel

Unknown

I've done it that way

before on a steam main where there was no room for a main vent . I was just wondering if it would work well on just a steam baseboard loop . Thanks Noel .

Steamhead

The only thing I'd add to Noel's posts

is to make sure the vent remains accessible. How many vents have we seen buried in walls and ceilings?

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