Old cast iron Heaters

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mass_burner

Minister of Fire
Sep 24, 2013
2,645
SE Mass
Not sure if i'm in the right forum, but here goes: We recently did a 1/2 house remodel and were left with several unused heavy cast iron sections. Our house baseboard elements are cast iron about 9-12" tall and 2" thick that is put together in 2 feet sections. I have about 8 feet in 2 ft sections. I also have 1 different element about 4 ft wide, 2 1/2 foot tall and 3" thick, this piece is heavy!

We have oil heat, hot water through copper pipes. We also have a gas line installed that just feeds the new range top.

What are my options in reusing these sections for heating?
 
What do you mean by options? They can be piped up as they were before. Did you just remove 1/2 of the heating system, or is your question of where is the best placement in the new remodel?

TS
 
Can I use these somehow with wood heat? Can I use these my new gas service?
 
Cast iron baseboard is very highly sought by those doing proper restoration on old houses, or really anyone who dislikes noisy and flimsy copper baseboard. However, your question isn't clear. It can be used on any hot water system, independent of fuel source.
 
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Is it possible to setup a wood fuel system to heat the water?
 
Yep... start reading the threads here in the boiler room, and asking questions as they arise. You'll be an expert in no time.

More importantly, start your wood supply now, so that you may be ready to burn next year. Plan 1 year to season most softwoods, ash, and maple, 3 years for oak, and 2 years for all other hardwood. Sort your stacks accordingly, until you can get far enough ahead (3 years) on your wood supply that it doesn't matter.

Are you interested in a cook stove with an auxiliary boiler, a full on indoor boiler in the basement, or the dreaded outdoor boiler?
 
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Yep... start reading the threads here in the boiler room, and asking questions as they arise. You'll be an expert in no time.

More importantly, start your wood supply now, so that you may be ready to burn next year. Plan 1 year to season most softwoods, ash, and maple, 3 years for oak, and 2 years for all other hardwood. Sort your stacks accordingly, until you can get far enough ahead (3 years) on your wood supply that it doesn't matter.

Are you interested in a cook stove with an auxiliary boiler, a full on indoor boiler in the basement, or the dreaded outdoor boiler?

I was thinking of an basement only setup for heat. I have an open fireplace and hearth in the basement.
 
Are you set on a boiler, or have you also considered a wood stove? Centrally located, you could heat up to 3000 sq ft with a single stove. I'm heating 6000 sq ft with two stoves, no plumbing involved.
 
Are you set on a boiler, or have you also considered a wood stove? Centrally located, you could heat up to 3000 sq ft with a single stove. I'm heating 6000 sq ft with two stoves, no plumbing involved.

Yes, that's probably what I'll end up doing. I canprobably hook the cast iron up to gas now that we have connection.
 
I can probably hook the cast iron up to gas now that we have connection.

Doh! I guess I would need something to burn the gas and circulate the hot water.
 
Only if you want heat from it.
 
Doh! I guess I would need something to burn the gas and circulate the hot water.
Like a boiler or water heater and a pump.

Start with a heat load calculation to figure out how much heat you need.
How much heat you need will tell you what the water temperature and flow rate needs to be in the CI radiators.
Go from there for sizing your heat source.
 
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