steam heat pipes

chris_47

is it ok to use copper pipes for running new steam heat into an addition?

Al Letellier

coper on steam

Size is more important than material used. We see it done a lot, but as a "steamhead" and old time piper, I wouldn't dream of using copper on steam. The constant expansion and contraction will weaken the soldered joints over time. Either will work, but the pros use black iron.

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Carpenter

Copper piping

I had a plumber add two steam radiators to the back of the house where I put a dormer addition. He used a double run of copper for the two rads, about thirty feet in the basement and then up inside the back hall. No insulation. I questioned him about the copper and lack of insulation, and he said they do it all the time. Last year one of the pipes blew apart, and I had to fix it because he was too busy to come back. The copper is noisy as heck, too.

Fight for steel.

Michal_2

engineering wise

copper can be used for steam, but i would suggest a heavy gauge like "k" tubing, also i would silver solder or braze the joints since the solder joints are a lower temperature in melting point. Expansion is a issue, copper expands more and expansion loops should be used on long runs. Insulation is a no brainer, use it if you can afford it, any heat save is a penny more in your pocket, not burned fuel, but i will agree being a young engineer at 26 and doing hvac for side money, definately fight for steel, worth the work