Convert to radiant heat from steam

[Deleted User]

Will I save on oil by installing radiant floor heat and removing my steam system? The house has been well insulated. How much could I expect to save on oil?

Steamhead

Probably not enough to justify the expense

Given similar boilers and heat transmitters and well-maintained distribution systems, hot-water and steam aren't that far apart efficiency-wise.

Also consider the disruption to the house that would occur when the ceilings are dismantled to install the radiant tubing.

Don't get me wrong, I think radiant is a great system, and it has been shown to be very efficient. But steam can be a good, efficient system too. If you're having trouble with your steam system, it won't be that hard to fix. You can find someone who knows steam on the Find a Professional page of this site. If you're in the Baltimore area, e-mail me!

lchmb

I'll go with steamhead

If you actually found a saving's in converting to radiant is in my opinion would take a long time to pay it back.

Christian Egli

Zilch

You won't save a drop of oil just because you converted your heating system.

To get big savings do this:

1) give the steam system a fix up by checking the traps, vents and pressure control. It is not expensive and the rewards are gigantic, better economy and better comfort.

2) to save on energy need for the house, with the money you don't spend on the complete radiant heat redo, buy yourself piles of new insulation and perhaps new windows.

You won't regret keeping steam.

Dean_7

convert

Read the 1913 heater post. If I could drop my gas bill 75% by restoring my steam system I don't see why you couldn't save on your oil bill by doing the same.

The Wire Nut

Just a thought...

I have an old leaky stone house with steam. Because of bad piping I burned 2000 gals of oil just using the house on weekends. I re-piped my header (posted photos in a recent thread) and insulated the mains. Although I found that I did make some mistakes in my header, the test I ran got even the largest radiator hot to the end in less then 1/2 hour.

I was going to do radiant in part of the house, but with insulating the house and fixing the piping, I think I'll be in great shape with the just the steam. Stick with the steam if you can...

Alex