Reuse the boiler when converting radiator to baseboard heating

We are going through a gut renovation right now and the ancient steam radiator heating system will be converted hot water baseboard heating system. The boiler is relatively new, about 10 years old, it is Pennco 16 Series (1604HSD). Would like your opinions whether it make sense to reuse the same boiler for baseboard heating or is it better to go ahead and replace it (thinking might be compatibility and/or efficiency related benefits.) Thanks

jlqnsny

in Heating and Cooling 10 years and 2 months ago

5

Please log in, in order to post replies!

5 replies

Newest Oldest

ellenlourie | 10 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4893 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4882 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "209451"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(11) "ellenlourie"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BW7BCPC4MhhU4md6aHcLH/64c1GhM1/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(11) "ellenlourie"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(22) "ellen.lourie@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2024-06-29 12:47:36"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(11) "ellenlourie"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(209451)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Leave steam system. Don’t waste money converting steam system to hot water one with mediocre design and implementation. Properly set up steam system is on par with properly set up hot water one, provides superb zoning, comfort and savings.

jlqnsny | 10 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4892 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4891 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "184824"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "jlqnsny"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BRFJiuBYRZjnTjYTQ4svFN1tOq2jWJ/"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "jlqnsny"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(18) "jlrebate@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:55:26"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "jlqnsny"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(184824)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(1) {
    [0]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(1) {
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Many thanks to you guys for sharing your thoughts. I got relocated here from the sunshine state where I have no need to dealt with boiler heating and I have no knowledge in this area. When contractor took out the current gas boiler, they found out inside was like new condition and said it can’t be more then few years old. The mfg date indicate it is a 10 years old unit so they suspect inside got replaced in recent years and offered to us as an option to reuse. Sounds like it would be better just to replace it with more up to date energy efficient unit. the baseboard will likely be the cast iron stuff made by Governale or the Runtal which looks great. we are staying away from subfloor heating mainly concerned with repair efforts if something do go wrong in the future. Thanks.

eman134 | 10 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4888 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4894 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If you can afford it you should upgrade your boiler, and most hot water baseboard is the lowest end solution for heating ( e.g. cheap slant fin or argo baseboard). The baseboard stuff looks like garbage and supplies way too few BTUs . Do yourself a favor and at least go for cast iron radiators

bk1lnite | 10 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4891 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4893 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "179741"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "bk1lnite"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BYVxphPiNO4nE09E/IAsvY4SqeNyz90"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "bk1lnite"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "bklnite@gmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/bklnite/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:04:27"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "bk1lnite"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(179741)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

imho converting from steam to hot water heat makes lots of sense; reusing a 10 year old steam boiler to provide the hot water, not so much. If I were doing a gut reno I’d be looking at radiant floor heating and/or hot water radiators – not baseboard heating.

Master Plvmber | 10 years and 2 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4892 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4895 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

It will work but at the entry level for efficiency and function. Steam and hot water boilers are sized using different methods and set up is critical. It sounds like this is a bit of a budget reno you’re doing (baseboard heat, reusing boiler). You’ll get away with it good enough, but a reno of any significant degree is the time to convert to a high efficiency natural gas boiler.