Change from Steam heat to water baseboard

Sandra_3

We are buying a really small house that currently has steam heat with radiators. I want to change from steam to hot water baseboard. The house is small now (only 650 sf but we will be putting an addiiton on) Someone told me that steam is better. But I think hotwater is more efficient and then I can take out the old radiators. Also is there a new hot water boiler that incorporates and hot water heater as well.

Steamhead (in transit)

You won't gain much

certainly not enough to justify all that work. When properly set up, a steam system will match the comfort and approach the efficiency of hot water. And it won't freeze up in a power failure like hot water can. Also, those cast-iron radiators hold their heat whereas the usual fin-tube baseboard goes cold quickly when the boiler shuts off.

You're thinking of a boiler with a tankless coil. These require the boiler to be kept at full temperature all year to produce hot faucet water. This is obviously not very efficient. If the coil is used with a storage tank, its efficiency is much better.

Depending on the size of the addition and the size of the existing boiler, you may be able to heat the addition with the present boiler (thru a heat exchanger if you use hot water). If not, a separate boiler for the addition could be used. The latter would mean if one boiler stopped working the whole house wouldn't go cold.

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Mike Reavis_2

Steamhead may be correct.

But he will admit that he has an axe to grind.

What you really need is a pro from your area to evaluate your current and future needs. You may find that the requirements for size, configuration, and pitch of steam lines get in the way of future living space. yur current boiler may be able to be converted to hydronic service from steam (if it is not too old). Hire a good contractor, or designer to maximize on the investment you are making in your real property.

Mike

stevenyc_2

Agreed

Save you money for the addition. I love my steam heat...

With the help of the super nice and knowledgeable people in this forum, you'll have cozy and efficient steam heat in no time.