Radiator to baseboard
#1
Radiator to baseboard
We recently converted from oil to gas in our 1930s capecod home. So they changed the boiler to work with gas. My question is if its possible for us to change the heating system from radiator to baseboard heating? My understanding is both uses the water source but heat differently as one uses radiant heating and baseboard uses convection heating.
Also we are thinking to change plumbing for whole house. can we use the same plex plumbing for radiators/baseboards?
Also we are thinking to change plumbing for whole house. can we use the same plex plumbing for radiators/baseboards?
#2
Apparently the answer is yes but there are precaution to be aware of. Rather than me repaeting what I found take a look at this forum site.
Pex use in baseboard heating - Heating Help: The Wall
Pex use in baseboard heating - Heating Help: The Wall
#3
Member
Regarding converting from radiators to baseboard convectors: you can do it although you cannot mix the two on a single zone. You can have a mix in your house, but they have to be on separate zones. Be aware that general consensus seems to be that radiators provide a more comfortable heat, since they provide primarily radiant heat. Of course, they do take up a lot of space and are not necessarily all that attractive.
#4
Thanks Norm201 & Carbide Tipped. This was very helpful.
I also posted seperately on plumbing about having to change whole home plumbing to Pex from old galvanized. To change whole home plumbing with 2 bathrooms, 1 powder room, kitchen and outside garden connection what might be approx cost material+labor. This is a 2 story (capecod home).
I also posted seperately on plumbing about having to change whole home plumbing to Pex from old galvanized. To change whole home plumbing with 2 bathrooms, 1 powder room, kitchen and outside garden connection what might be approx cost material+labor. This is a 2 story (capecod home).
#5
Member
It's pretty near impossible for anyone here to provide an estimate, it varies so much depending on myriad details and your location. PEX is good for retrofits as it is flexible and relatively easy to snake through floors and walls. But most of the work is in all the transition points to the fixtures. If it's all galvanized the best would be to install all new stub-outs for the fixtures from the Pex and that usually involves some opening up of wall spaces behind toilets and sink cabinets, etc., and subsequent repairs. Material cost is probably under a $1000, maybe a lot under. Labor is un-guessable without knowing a lot more.
Your best bet is to get a few estimates.
Your best bet is to get a few estimates.
#6
Member
Also we are thinking to change plumbing for whole house. can we use the same plex plumbing for radiators/baseboards?
#7
You may loose some of the comfort of the old radiator system if you get rid of it. Not sure what type of boiler you have now but if it is high efficiency the old radiators will make the system more efficiency and work at lower water temperature.
To achieve the same comfort level you would have to way oversize the new baseboard system.
Using OD reset will help with the comfort levels if you do not have it now.
What type boiler are you now operating?
To achieve the same comfort level you would have to way oversize the new baseboard system.
Using OD reset will help with the comfort levels if you do not have it now.
What type boiler are you now operating?