Need advice on replacing old steam radiator with Burnham Baseboard radiator 5 inches away

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petertm
petertm Posts: 9
in Strictly Steam

Hi All,

I have an old tall steam radiator located in a room in such a way that it blocks a larger bed from being placed against the wall. (see attached pictures)

I realize, if I use a lower profile baseboard radiator. I can move the radiator to the adjacent outside wall, underneath the window. Freeing up the entire back wall for the head of a bed.

The ceiling underneath the room is open, so I might be able to move the pipe, or I could extend the pipe above the floor and make sure it is pitched properly so it drains. It is a single pipe steam boiler system.

Does doing this substitution work? Are there any gotchas I should be aware of?

OriginalRadiator_v1.jpeg
NewLocationVsOldRadiator_v1.jpeg
UnderFloorPipePlacement_v1.jpeg

Comments

  • patrykrebisz
    patrykrebisz Posts: 164

    Those baseboards only output 3.4 EDR of heat per 1ft. So this baseboard is only like 14 EDR… As much output as, like, 1/3 of that cast iron radiator…

    »»» See my steam heat YouTube videos:
    https://www.youtube.com/@HeatingBlog

    EdTheHeaterManpetertm
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,366

    you could put a short radiator or convector cabinet under that window.

    the mass of that baseboard is a lot less than of a standing cast iron radiator of equal edr so the baseboard will heat and cool faster than the rest of the system so the heat will have spikes of too hot and too cold(or to cold and even colder if you don't match the edr to your current radiator)

    baseboard can be difficult to get condensate to drain from on 1 pipe steam. With that short section it isn't that bad but longer sections do better set up with a condensate return at the end opposite the steam supply end. There are several ways to do that on a 1 pipe system.

    bburdpetertm
  • JimP
    JimP Posts: 118

    Consider adding more baseboard. It’s probably worth the effort and cost. Consider stacking it if you dont have enough wall space. You’ll need to raise those new outlet boxes a little higher if you stack it. Either eliminate or relocate that flat covered box under the window.

    petertm
  • mattmia2
    mattmia2 Posts: 18,366

    stacking doesn't work so well, it adds quite a bit less extra heat than you would think because the entering air has been heated by the lower baseboard so the delta between the element and the air is much less so the output is much less

    JimPEdTheHeaterManpetertm
  • JimP
    JimP Posts: 118

    Okay, good to know. I do that with hydronic heat when space is at an absolute premium. It does take awhile for them to heat up.

  • Steamhead
    Steamhead Posts: 19,001

    Try to find another cast-iron radiator that will go under the window. Match its capacity to the existing rad.

    If you post an end view of the current rad, and give us its height (which I think might be 38 inches) we can tell you what you need.

    Co-Founder, All Steamed Up, Inc.

    Semi-retired

    Baltimore, MD, USA

    EdTheHeaterManmattmia2

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