replacing beat up fin tube baseboards with higher efficiency models

first off, any recommendations on who does this kind of work and what the cost might be? second off, will i really see much difference in efficiency? granted i have a high effciency boiler setup so could theoretically gain a lot by having newer style hydronic baseboards that have similar heat output at much lower water temperatures, but curious if anyone has done this any knows what that means in practice. thanks!

solehappy

in General Discussion 4 years and 9 months ago

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ellenlourie | 4 years and 8 months ago

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The difference in high efficiency baseboard and standard is the size. For example, 1 linear ft of high efficiency baseboard can emit 1000btu hr, at 170 average water temperature, while standard only 500. That allows to use lower water temperature to get similar baseboard output. High efficiency boilers are much more efficient when working at low water temperature.

hkapstein | 4 years and 8 months ago

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Bottom line, it’s not cheap. I know how to install myself, but the radiators themselves are not dirt cheap.

Master Plvmber | 4 years and 9 months ago

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I’m sorry I offended you. Please dive in and buy high efficiency fin tube heaters to your heart’s content.

solehappy | 4 years and 9 months ago

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there are fin tube baseboard products specifically designed to work at lower temperatures that label themselves as high efficiency. i think you probably as a pro have worked through clients earnest questions in good faith instead of acting like they were somehow obfuscating? weird tone all around.

lkrshacmzcy | 4 years and 9 months ago

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…..Now that is an Expert ^

lkrshacmzcy | 4 years and 9 months ago

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…..Now that is an Expert ^

Master Plvmber | 4 years and 9 months ago

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All radiators are 100% efficient. You seem to know that your wording is not quite right so what is your question, really? I installed a high efficiency boiler in a converted school building in Williamsburg. The old Dept of Educaton design called for multiple giant radiators in every room. For that reason, we can heat the building with warm, not hot, water. In the 7 years the H.E. boilers have been installed, the water temperature to the radiators has never gone above 138°. It’s all being recorded and it’s pretty amazing…far better than I had imagined it would be. Compare that to buildings heating with 180° water and it’s easy to see where the energy savings are gained. About 2/3 through the first heating season, the building reported heating fuel costs were ½ what they’ve been.

Baseboard/Fin tubes heat by convection. The hotter they get, the more convective air current they create. That’s why they don’t work well at lower temperatures and so systems heating wi th that type of radiation need the boiler to make very hot water. So, it’s a bit of a misnomer to call them inefficient, but they do contribute to a less-efficient system overall.

solehappy | 4 years and 9 months ago

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thanks! any way to quantify how not cheap? are we talking $2500 a baseboard?

workisfun | 4 years and 9 months ago

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I upgraded my slant fins to myson panel rads. We’re very happy with them. Lots of different sizes, so now we have much more space for furniture against the walls. They’re less expensive than runtals, but the process isn’t cheap.