steam radiator conversion

Steamhead

The standard temp of 180 degrees at the inlet and 160 at the outlet will give tou 150 BTU per hour for each square foot EDR.

By comparison, the same rad on steam will give 240 BTU per hour for each square foot EDR.

If you're thinking about converting an entire system from steam to water, you really should read the following:

http://www.heatinghelp.com/newsletter.cfm?Id=22

There are many things that can go wrong when doing this type of conversion, the article deals with some of them.



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rokosz

steam radiator conversion

I've got a 100+yo house with 2nd floor heated by (relatively) recent electric.

I recently picked up 6 (unrestored or tested) vintage steam radiators. The house 1st floor is gas/hot water. There are old holes (and some pipes) in the second floor flooring.
can steam rads be converted to hw use? I can't find anything on the 'net -- which doesn't seem encouraging...

thanks, B.

TGO_54

Go to

the toolbar on your left, click on hot tech topics, click on old radiator Q&A. The information you need is in there. If you decide not to do the work yourself, click on the find a professional banner at the top of the screen.

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michael_15

The basic story is

If they're the original old steam radiators, no. These radiators were only nippled across the bottom, and won't work for hot water. A lot of modern "steam" radiators are really hot water radiators with an air vent stuck on.

-Michael

Ed Cudney

Hot Water vs. Steam Radiators

When converting old steam radiators to hot water, what is the btuh rating per square foot of radiation?

rokosz

oh, nipple, where art thou?

thanks to all for the help.

I've read the "hot tech" section. And I feel somewhat educated. but the sphere of knowedge is contained by unknowns.

It appears i've got 6 2-piped rads with vents (warhead shaped) or at least vent cx/holes in the sides. None of them have the "inlet" pipe at the top. All are btm2btm.

the question now seems to be the nipples. I can't find nipples anywhere top or bottom. Can anyone point me at a pic of a radiator's nipples? (boy, i hope that request isn't taken out of context...)

STEVE D.

CONVERSION

I HAVE WATER BOILER.I WOULD LIKE CONVERT TO STEAM BOILER,ALSO WANT TO KNOW CAN I USE THE EXISTING PIPES AND RADIATORS.I HAVE SEEN HOMES THAT USES STEAM HEAT THAT HAVE THE SAME PIPING AND RADIATORS.

Steamhead

Are you

going to convert just a boiler or an entire system? If the former, the boiler must be approved for steam. Check the rating plate- if there's no rating in square feet of steam radiation, the boiler can't be used for steam. You'll also need to add and remove controls and other items as needed.

If the latter, you'll need to do a lot of work to the system as well as the boiler. Each radiator wil need a method of keeping steam from getting in the return- usually this is done with a supply orifice or thermostatic trap on the return. One of my customers has such a converted system and it works pretty well.

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