Adding heating to Dormer

Mike C

Hopefully someone can give me some helpful advice. I live in a cape in Bethpage and plan to add a Second Story Dormer. I currently have a 1 Pipe steam system with circulator that runs off it for the basement. I am wondering how I should heat the new dormer rooms. I plan to get central AC, for the 1st and second floors, so Duct Work should be in place on both of those level but
not the basement. I am thinking of replacing the steam system entirely but the finished basment I would rather not disturb. What options do you think are best for me? What are the approximate costs and benefits/drawbacks of
each system. Thank you.

kevin coppinger_4

if i understand....

you currently have no heat on the second floor....Steam on the 1st and hot water condensate off the boiler for the basement...the simplest thing to do would also use the condensate to do the second floor. it can be done just as long as the baseboard condensate load(s) don't exceed 30%(I think). If you go more than that you will have a problem when you go to make steam.Click on the heating Q&A section above. kpc

Steamhead

It might be easier

to find a good used radiator and run a steam pipe to it. This will work quite well if the steam main and boiler can support it. Do a heat-loss on that dormer to see how big a radiator you need, and use the charts in Dan's "The Lost Art of Steam Heating" for the rest. Order "Lost Art" on the Books and More page of this site.

I wouldn't change to forced-air heat. It is the worst kind of heat ever invented. You will never be as comfortable as you are with the steam system. If you must have A/C, use one of the mini-duct systems since it will take up less space.



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