adding a new radiator to a steam system

rick m

Hello gentlemen,
I looked at the system over the week end and it is a one pipe system. I didn't get the size of the boiler or the present load on it. There will not be a new zone for the radiator. The radiator itself will be located 18' away from the branch and in that 18'I only have 2" for pitch. However the homeowner said notching was ok if needed, since he is going to add a beam to support the existing floor span.

My initial thinking is to cut in a supply and return tee into the existing branch and pitch the return pipe back to the branch. If this will work I will need to know if there are any special precautions in shutting down and starting up the boiler.

Thanks again for teh help.

rick m

new radiator installation

I have a customer wants to me to install a new radiator in an addition he is working on. I informed him that I do not do steam heat but he pressed me to attempt the job!? I haven't checked to see if its a 1 pipe or 2 pipe system, but what I'm really concerned with is the amount of pitch I need in order to make sure the system works properly when I'm finished with it. I'm wondering if I can just branch off of the nearest header and tie in the new radiator, also if this is possible can I also install shutoff valves on the new branches so that I won't have his entire system down in case I can't get the new radiator to work properly. Will the boiler need flushed when I'm done? I'm sure some of you guys are probably chuckling right now, but hey I have to start somewhere. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

Unknown

The world needs more guys like us

The kind that finds out if it will work before making a piping plan.

Yes, it can be done. You need to know the capacity of the boiler, the load that is connected to it now, and the amount of load that you are adding to it.

You need to talk about zoning, or lack of it, now. The cost will be different if they choose zoning, and the approach may vary.

You need to find out what is there now, and if they want baseboard or radiators.

I'll help you design it, if you like.

Noel

Steamhead

Rick, let us know

what you find when you get there. There are different varieties of steam heat and you need to know what type of system it is, how much radiation is on each main, etc. before you start to lay out the piping. Noel and I have both installed steam systems so we can tell you what you're in for.

If you haven't done so already, get a copy of Dan's book "The Lost Art of Steam Heating". It has everything you'll need for this job and much, much more. Order it on the Books and More page of this site.

To Learn More About This Contractor, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

rick m

adding a new radiator to a steam system

Noel, First off, thanks for the response. I'm not sure of the capacity or the load already on the boiler. The customer does want a radiator and I do not know at this time if he will want it on a separate zone (although I dont think he will). Any help in the design would be great. The customer is literally a world-class violin maker, he is doing all the carpentry and cabinet work himself. He is a pretty sharp guy, I don't want to make myself look like a hacker in front of him.

Unknown

I'm with you

And so is Steamhead. Look at the boiler, and the piping, (I suspect One pipe steam) and take digital pictures if you can. I believe that you certainly can do it if the right boiler is there. I'll help you. Check out these links to see how to approach the system.

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=130

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm

Keep my philosophy in mind....If it lasted 75 to 150 years, it must be one of the good ones. If I study it and find everything original except the boiler and the piping around it, I can fix it. Every time. You can too. Just don't promise anything until you understand what it is and what it needs.

You can do it. Look it over and see what he is adding. It can be piped in, if the boiler can handle it. He appreciates steam heat. It likely can be done.

Noel

Unknown

Hi Rick,

It's only one pipe, to the radiator.

The distance isn't the problem, knowing if you are going to take the steam away from another radiator really is the issue.

The other thing is the branch. You need to connect to the main, and at a 45° angle. The branch likely was sized for the load it carries, and not a bunch more.

Now, back to the original question. How much radiation is already connected to that main? What size is it? What is the firing rate of the boiler?

You might find that the boiler is the right size for the present load, the main is sized within 2% of it's capacity, and when you add one radiator at the beginning of the main, the last one or two radiators stop heating.

Or you might find that the whole system works, it just heats up real slow. A month later you find out that the fuel use has almost doubled.

You HAVE TO find out if it CAN work before you make any promises. You'll feel better when you know.


Noel