Can I replace an old steam radiator with a baseboard radiator

RJ_2

I just recently brought a unit in an older building, I want to change the steam radiator to a baseboard radiator. Wanted to know if this is possible to do? The boiler for the building is located in the basement, and the temparature is not control by the individual units.

Steamhead

You'd almost certainly need

to run a return line from the baseboard, if this is not a two-pipe system. This probably wouldn't be practical in your situation. Do your radiators have two pipes connected to them, or just one?

Why not try to find a radiator that has the same capacity but is shaped differently, maybe lower, longer and skinnier?

You can control your radiators with thermostatic radiator valves. The proper type to use depends on the type of system in your building.

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Ken_8

Regardless of whether the radiator is

one or two-pipe form, it can be replaced by fin-tube style baseboard heat.

Pitch, overall length and venting are hyper critical, but it is possible and although much easier with a two pipe radiator change out, is also possible with a one pipe steam rad.

The larger the rad removed, the more "challenging" the switch. The issue is amount and speed of the entering steam vs. the amount and speed of the returning condensate. By increasing the pipe diameter of the baseboard finned pipe, venting slowly with a smaller vent - and gentle pitch of the element, surprisingly large BTU output can be achieved without banging or spitting.

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