Steam Oriented Central Heating

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When configured correctly, a steam oriented central heating system utilizing cast iron radiators can be not only the most efficient means to warm large areas, but can also be the least expensive in terms of energy cost. It doesn’t matter if it is they are old fashioned radiators, the cost savings can be significant. As the steam warms the cast iron it transfers a more gentle heat increase than other metals like steel or copper which have a greater tendency to fluctuate like an on or off temperature variable.

The formula for determining the proper size for a room’s cast iron radiator begins by determining the temperature of the air in room to be heated. For practical purposes this is set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Next is determined the temperature of the cast iron radiator’s surface fins. Since there are two primary types of heat delivery this would be either 180 degrees for a water heated system, and 212 degrees for steam. This also determines the square foot “Equivalent Direct Radiation” factor as steam systems deliver 240 BTU’s per hour while water run systems only deliver 170 BTU per hour per square foot.

Then must be figured in the footage of each of the columns you are using in the room’s radiator. Charts with this information already figured are easy to locate and use. Once you have looked up your EDR for each column, you multiple by the number of columns desired for the individual radiator. Then multiply the total by the number of BTU per square foot put out by the system. The equipment dealer you purchase your cast iron radiator parts from can provide a rating sheet for how many BTU’s are required to heat the various dimensions of rooms. Thus you can determine how big your radiator needs to be constructed for each room.

You can determine the total radiant heat demands being put on the boiler by multiplying the total number of columns in all the radiators in the dwelling.

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