Larger Radiator

Paul_58

A previous owner removed a wall between two second floor bedrooms, and I suspect they also removed a steam (single pipe) radiator from one of the bedrooms. From experience (2 winters) I know the EDR from that single radiator is insufficient to heat both rooms, but heats 1 room comfortably when I seal off the second room. The area of each room is 180sf, and the radiator present provides 6900 Btu/hr (29 SF EDR). This seems reasonable to me...38 Btu/hr per sf living space...7 foot ceilings and some insulation.

My brother-in-law happens to have an unused 59 sf EDR radiator for the taking. Before I even consider moving this monster, could there be a problem with a 1" riser feed this large radiator? Presently there is 55 sf EDR on main #1 (would increase to 85 sf EDR), and 139 sf EDR on main #2. Both mains are approximately the same length. Boiler is oversized even with proposed additional radiation. I think I recall Dan writing that mains and risers were sized to get steam to all the radiators at the same time, and this riser is close to the boiler off the main.

I would appreciate your advice, and am curious to learn how steam might behave in this situation. Best regards, Paul

Paul_58

Larger Radiator

Not explicitly stated...what if i replace the 29 sf EDR with the 59 sf EDR?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Piping aside, I would suspect that the rad would SEVERELY overheat the room. Orientation and window area definitely affects heat loss, but it sounds like that rad would heat a same square foot bedroom with glass walls facing north and east!

Look for small rods running horizontally at the top and bottom of the rad. If you find them, the rad can be reduced in size with fair ease.

Paul_58

Larger Radiator

Rad can be downsized. 180 sf currently heated with 29 SF EDR faces north, on hill, (distant) ocean view. Cedar shingle over pine board sheathing (¼"-½" gaps) makes for wicked air infiltration on this 1930's cape. Unheated 180 sf faces south, protected by rising hill.