Software
Houzz Logo Print
webuser_893322154

need help with old baseboard heating replacement

last year

We have old baseboard water heating element around the condo that’s ugly and old. Any advice on what to replace it with- while still using hot water heating? Thank you in advance!

Comments (17)

  • last year

    Thank you millworkman! World rather not just put new cover as some sections of internal plumbing are broken and want to change to new radiation or other options.

    What kind of new radiators do you recommend as it gets pretty cold?

  • last year

    Since the plumbing is damaged, remove the plumbing and change them all to electric baseboard heating.

  • last year

    @Leo Blur

    What do you use to heat the water that circulates? Is that gas or electric? Is it centralized (provides hot water to all of the condos) or is the boiler located in your unit?

  • last year

    If you google "hot water heating radiators" and click images you will see countless radiator designs you could select from. I'm not going to look through them and suggest a radiator based on my likes so this is where you should start.

    Once you pick a radiator style you like since looks are what you're after the next step is to have a plumber come out and calculate the heat load your condo will need to determine how many and the radiator sizes required. New radiators are expensive to buy and install so it's not going to be cheap.



  • last year

    Thank you so much Kevin9408! Appreciate the great advice. Do you have a certain type that’s better than others - more reliable and better heating? Or just pick my style?
    We live in cold climates so need sufficient heat. Many thanks !

  • last year

    Any thoughts about this type? Thanks

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    Those look nice. Made in Massachusetts and not china is a big plus IMO. They also sell wall and vertical panels to choose from you can mix and match. One great thing about radiant heat is it come from any direction in a room, even a ceiling!

    The panels are welded steel rectangular tubing which will radiate heat just as well as aluminum finned copper tube (which I think you have) but the steel is just a little slower to respond then copper because of the high thermal conductivity of copper, but are no more or less efficient than copper. It isn't rocket science and only thermodynamics. No matter what type of vessel is holding heated water every BTU will eventually move from the water to it's surrounding environment until temperatures equalize, so if these are what you want get them.

    They come in many different lengths and widths so if there is a room running just a little cooler than you want then a wider width would give you additional Btu's without needing to increase the original length and without drastic changes to the plumbing. I guess your next step is finding an installer who will do a heat load calculation.

  • last year

    Just be aware that if you do have finned copper tube, it has a 3/4” fitting vs Runtal which is 1/2”

  • last year

    Thanks Kevin9408. And thanks Elunia.

    Will definitely get professional to do this. But I’m not sure I understand- are you saying our current set up may not permit use of these panels?

  • last year

    Sorry cat-ky. Didn’t see your comment earlier. We prefer hot water as it’s less expensive. Thanks

  • last year

    Sorry Jake The Wonderdog. Didn’t see your comment. We have hot water centralized to who the condo. Why do you ask? Thanks

  • last year
    last modified: last year

    I ask because someone mentioned replacing them with electric baseboard, which are one of the most expensive types of heat (electric resistance). I assume you have a gas fired boiler - which is much cheaper to operate.

    I've always liked the look of the Runtal products. I don't think you will go wrong with them. The UF-2 seems to have the same BTU/H as what you have now - assuming you have finned copper.

  • last year

    Thank you Jake The Wonderdog. You are right- we have hot water for heat and will not convert to electric. I like the Runtal product shown on website too.

    Yes we have ugly and impossible to clean finned - not sure if copper or aluminum but very thin.

    Do you or anyone have experience with them- is it very expensive to install or purchase?

  • last year

    The price on the website shows about $10 per foot for the 6" baseboard panels, but I can't comment on labor charges. Since it's a condo with central hot water heating you may need approval by the HOA to do the job along with the contractor you use. They won't want some hack in there with no license, experience or insurance flooding the condos. They may also not let you relocate an pipes if you go with something different so talk to the condo manager on this issue before getting carried away.

  • last year

    Thanks. Yes of course.