retrofitting cast iron rads

Doug Thomas

I'm planning on retrofitting my house with salvaged cast iron radiators. Currently, I have hotwater baseboard heating on the main floor and electric baseboard heating on the 2nd floor. My plumber, who doesn't have a lot of experience with old radiators, thought I could just install the rads into the existing single loop system on the main floor and run some new piping upstairs, also a single loop, on a new zone. I've since found out that it isn't that simple. I've heard that single loop systems don't work very well for cast iron rads. Will I need to install a two-pipe system?

D. Andrews

Cast radiators

Cast iron radiators must be piped seperately from copper fin tube baseboard. The rate of heat transfer is not the same for both types. Zone the C/I on its' own loop.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

One-pipe systems are sometimes used with cast iron rads, but not in a simple series loop. Special fittings that divert only a portion of the water to each radiator are used. This type of system is NOT for the inexperienced--plumber, homeowner, anyone--

Aren't iron rads quite common in Vancouver? If so, you shouldn't have much of a problem finding someone who knows about them and likes working with them.