28Apr/103
Can forced hot water radiatiors be used in a steam heat system?
The steam heat boiler has copper feeds to the radiators in this 1 pipe system. The pressure for steam heat is also much lower than in forced hot water. Obviously the Cu pipe can take the heat if there are functioning Cu (copper) lines in place already. Why not install modern, finned, forced hot water baseboard radiators?
April 28th, 2010 - 23:26
If you are doing forced hot water in those systems you should think about dividing the baseboard heaters into zones that are fed separately. The copper pipes won’t hold the heat though the entire circuit like it can with steam. The entire circuit shouldn’t be more than 50 to 300 feet long depending on the size of pipe.
April 29th, 2010 - 00:17
You can use hot water baseboards in a steam system. You must, however, make sure that all piping allows for condensation return or you will get “steam hammers” in your heating system….that is, a hammering sound as the piping heats……..all piping must be graded to allow water (condensation) to flow back to the furnace.
My personal opinion: baseboard heaters look nicer but a steel steam radiator, when heated, will stay warm for about an hour or more after the furnace turned off for the cycle. where a baseboard heater cools in about 10-15 minutes. Steel radiators will continue heating your home and does provide some built in efficiency to your modern furnaces.
One thing you CAN NOT do with baseboard heat, is to put steel kettles of water on the radiators to bring moisture into your living space
April 29th, 2010 - 00:22
Will it work for heat? Yes. We use steam to preheat air (almost 1 million cfm in one building) and the coils used are essentially copper wrapped in aluminum fins.
However there are two questions I would urge to ask first.
One: The residential baseboards I’ve installed (economy to medium grade) used a rather soft grade of copper. Do your’s and will steam be unduly abrasive to it?
Two: Will your customer like the ‘feel’ of it? Baseboard heats by convection. Radiators do also, but they also emit radiant heat which is felt throughout he room as well. Radiators even have a thermal mass which continues to emit thermal radiation after the steam flow stops.
Those who’ve become accustomed to their steam radiator’s heating properties will notice the difference of baseboard’s right off. Whether it is acceptable to them is a personal preference.