Need More Heat Quicker - Add Baseboard or Panel Radiators?

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velvetfoot

Minister of Fire
Dec 5, 2005
10,202
Sand Lake, NY
I was going to post on an existing thread, but thought it might glop it up too much.

So, if I want to put out more BTUs per hour on the second floor with a conventional oil (or maybe pellet) boiler, would the best approach be to replace the existing baseboard with panels or add baseboard? There's a lot few feet of baseboard upstairs than downstairs and it heats up slowly (again, conventional oil). I'm trying to visualize what adding more baseboard would entail. I have no idea how it's plumbed, but there are two zones, each on a circulator.
 
Do you know what your current output is of your radiators now?
I am going with a high output radiator that produces about 750 btu per linear foot for a basement renovation, and most of the standard ones I have seen only put out about 550 or so at the same temps....I'll try to find the link, but perhaps you could ust replace yours with the high output stuff vs adding more panels.

Hopefully some one with more heating expereince can chime in.

Here is a link of the ones I am getting...not installed yet, so I don't have much analysis for you

http://www.sterlingheat.com/html/residential_heat.asp?p=suntemp
 
Thanks. If the boiler can take it, and you can afford it, I can't see a reason to be cheap with the footage of baseboard. The zone would heat faster and the boiler wouldn't cycle as much.
 
Either one would work. I like the rads becouse you can put a thermostate on each one. that means each rad would be it's own zone. If you have a room you only use on occasion it can be turned down when not in use. The panels are also radiant and convection heat. the baseboards are convection heat.
 
the advantage to flat panel radiators is that they radiate heat as well as heat the air through convection, they should put more btu's into the room than a baseboard. the original reason they were made was that in the EU countries they have to heat with lower temp water than a US boiler puts out, if heated with higher temp water it should put out more heat.
 
You could leave your existing baseboard in place and add flat panels as well. With a 'Home-Run' or manifold type design it is usually easier to run the smaller diameter pex. I have done both and find flat-panels quite simple to install especially compared to fin-tube baseboard. You will also enjoy the added benefits of what the others are saying to boot.
 
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