Cast Iron Baseboard for Steam

Ken_40

Dave and SteamHead.

With C.I.B.B. costing around 30-bucks a foot, and the existing radiation already paid for, in place and functioning, why would anyone want to switch?

Perhaps no one realized...

1) Non of the riser pipes will line up with new CIBB.

2) Whatever space the existing rads occupy must be equalled with CIBB, taking up probably all the baseboard perimeter space available - and still coming up short.

3) The system should be silent now if setup prooperly. Introducing CIBB will invoke the potentail for new noises on a grand scale and take a genius to make as silent.

4) To move the risers to fit, the floors would all have to be opened (and the ceilings below). The patching involved would be a huge investment.

5) Aesthetics may be a driving issue. The reality is, standing radiation is "appropriate" for homes of the 1800 to 1960's genre. HWBB is generally deemed to be appropos for homes of the 1940's to now - if you bend the "appropriate" style envelope to the tearing point...

What's driving the inquiry is the real question.

Belmont9

Cast Iron Baseboard for Steam Heat

New large, old house, novice with existing steam heating system with two-pipe radiators (I've ordered the books). Contractor suggesting replacing existing radiators with cast iron baseboard panels. Any advice? Thank you very much.

Steamhead (in transit)

Why

would you want to do that? Is something wrong with the existing radiators?

Before you do anything, do a full heat-loss calculation on each room in the house. In an old house like yours, there's a pretty good chance that baseboard could not deliver enough heat.

What kind of 2-pipe system is it? Have you noticed any manufacturer's info on any of the system components (valves, traps, any hardware in the piping around the boiler)? I bet it's a Vapor system that can run on less than a pound of pressure.

Take some pics and post them.

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Unknown

Replacing Rads

Sure, it can be done, but why would you want to? Cosmetics?
Those "old rads" are beautiful and heat alot of space in their shorter length. I hope for your sake the owner gets his chequebook out, as its not cheap!