STEAM RADIATORS

Shaun Anderson

HAVE A FEW STEAM RADIATORS THAT ARE BEING CONVERTED TO WATER. I HAVE A EXAMPLE SHOWING SUPPLY AND RETURN BOTH PIPED ACROSS BOTTOM. WHAT WOULD HAPPEN IF PIPED THE SAME WAY AS THE STEAM WAS? IT WAS PIPED WITH SUPPLY ON TOP WITH RERURN ON THE BOTTOM. PLEASE HELP A BOTHER OUT, THANKS.

Michal

well some things

well to start my view is if you pipe it supply high and return low well it goes against normal flow, but would work, I am not sure of the pressure drop, I would figure with the cross flow like that you would get better circulation meaning even heat through them, I honestly cant go past that since I have never done it, I am sure you will be fine. intersting to see what others will say too

tls_9

ok

It will be fine. I have done many retrofits from steam to hot water just like you described. Never found a problem. In fact some will tell you on a pumped system its preferable to have the counter flow . The bottom in bottom out was typical of gravity hot water. Besure to put air vents (coin / key) vents on the radiator and give a thought to using thermostatic radiator valves.

tom

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Supply on top and return on opposite bottom is actually the preferred way with thermostatic radiator valves(TRVs). It keep the sensing element well away from any drafts near the floor and puts the operator in a convenient place for adjustment.

The internal passages of radiators are so large and the water velocity generally so low that they'll still heat evenly. (Just don't enter and exit from the same side of the radiator.)