Removing old house radiators? - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

twan5 · 11-05-2003, 10:56 AM

My wife and I just purchased a 1920's bungalow in a historic part of town. It's in really good shape for its age, but it has no central air and is still using radiators for heating...

Well right off the bat, we both knew that we would want to add central air to the home. We've gotten bids for around $5-6k for a new a/c unit and all the duct work. And were told that an additional $1k will buy us a furnace. So it seems like a no brainer to add heat, except we still have the big bulky radiators located in the probable positions that the vents will most likely be located - at least on the first level. (Second level will probably have vents in the ceiling.)

My question is - What is involved in removing the radiators for a water (not steam) closed system? I've tried some searches on google, but not having much luck. If anyone has any info on whats involved, or a link to a pretty thorough explaination on how to remove these things, it'll save me alot of money instead of hiring someone to do it...

Thanks!

onetime2 · 11-05-2003, 11:47 AM

Here is a site for you that explains how the system works:

http://www.diydata.com/planning/cent...g/pipework.htm

and another

http://www.diydata.com/planning/cent...ing/boiler.htm

It's not that complicated. You need to turn off the boiler, drain the system, and then start ripping out the plumbing.

To drain the system you will need to open the return pipe and send that water out of the basement (or wherever your boiler is). To make sure it drains completely you will need to open a vent at the top of the system to allow air in to replace the water going out. THen it's just a matter of disconnecting the radiators and removing them.

Selling them as scrap should get you a decent chunk of $ as well.

j8ear · 11-05-2003, 02:22 PM

It's actually quite easy.

In the basement by your current furnace (I'm assuming an oil fired hot water boiler), you just drain off the water (usually very oily water) into a 55 gallon trash can or ideally a utility sink located in your basement. The directions above are plenty explicit.

Intricate ornate cast-iron radiators can go for big money too. Even if not that nice they can still fetch a pretty penny at a scrap yard. 250 pounds of cast iron is 250 pounds of cast iron after all.

Don't let a contractor try and charge you to haul away your old radiators.

-bear

BTW...Radiator heat rules for all around coziness and comfort. Beats the pants of off forced hot air anytime. Although AC will require vents and forced air.

meembo · 11-13-2003, 01:07 PM

Don't forget to look for a buyer! There's a good second-hand market for unusual or like-new radiators, by people who like that type of heat (like me - can't stand forced air) or simply see them as house decor. They are usually taken apart, because as you know they are heavy as hell

twan5 · 11-13-2003, 02:01 PM

meembo -

Aside from Ebay, what other types of places could I go to sell these things? Are there clubs, etc...?

Thanks.

Mango · 11-13-2003, 04:33 PM

Look around for a forum. I was the engineer on a project where a pile (~150) of them were removed. I found the owner a buyer for them in Belgum. The guy paid large for them then had to ship them. I used google to find the forum then just threw up a post.

james t kirk · 11-15-2003, 02:04 PM

Ok, listen to me.

STOP RIGHT THERE AND DON'T DO IT.

Hot water heating is far far far superior to any idiotic forced air system. Forced Air sucks.

Hot water heating throws a perfect heat and warms the room without giving hot and cold spots like forced air. Also, it helps keep dust down, and stops the spread of infectious disease. It is superior in every way to forced air. New houses all have forced air cause it's cheap. You don't need a plumber to install ducts, anyone with a grade 6 education can install duct work.

The other part of the equation is that your house will not have the proper head room and clearances for air ducts. You will have to do a lot of tearing up to install ducts. This will undoubtedly mean ripping up plaster walls to install ducts. Your contractor will then probably DRYWALL over the wound and you will forever see the discrepency in the wall plaster. Plaster is better than drywall, especially if you live in an area prone to mould. Any hospital of any quality always has hot water heating and plaster walls. Removing the radiators will leave holes in the hard wood (assuming it is authentic and has hard wood) which will be quite unsightly, and impossible to repair without being able to forever see the repairs.

Not to mention that your contractor will probaby choose to merely abandon the old water pipes and you will forever be looking at them.

DON'T DO IT.

These older homes were meant to have hot water, it's part of the charm, it's part of the originality of the home. Originality, or doing renovations in keeping with the spirit of the original design will always add dollars to your investment.

Hot water is also a selling feature in older homes. Those old rads can often be quite ornate.

I live in an old part of Toronto, my house is 1922 but unfortunately, it has forced air. In my area, it's mostly hot water, but some houses were equipped with forced air. (Why i don't know.) If i had hot water, i would not be changing it, thats for sure.

If you want central air, fine, get an attic system. Carrier makes an attic system that can be installed efficiently and easily and you can keep your hot water heating to boot. The cold air will fall from the upper floors to the lower floors quite well.

Trust me, your contractor is selling you a con job. Any new high end home always has radiant heat (in the floors actually) and a separate AC unit.

Don't believe me, go to a reputable HVAC outfit and ask them.

People in the know pay big bucks for radiant heating. Go on google and type "radiant heating" and see for yourself, or here's a link for you.

http://www.wattsradiant.com/homeowner/default.htm

Don't do it man, you will be sorry......

cheers

sk8renigma · 11-15-2003, 09:52 PM

im gonna have to second that guys statement, those radiators work greak in the winter, because they hold heat for so long.
And on the removal of them, there is no easy way to do it. There will be alot of saw-zalling going on, because those old joints do not liek ot come apart.

twan5 · 11-17-2003, 07:01 AM

wow - thanks guys...

My wife and I have decided to keep the rediant heating. Mainly because of the cost of switching the whole system out, but also because of the luxury of having it in the house already. But we are putting in central air - central Illinois summers can be a biatch. So I think that it will be a good mix of the two...

Fortunately, upon inspecting the house, we will be able to put a central air system in with little to no damage to the house - because of closets and existing cavities stacking on top of each other... So that minimizes the labor involved. Plus, now I don't have as much work to do in removing the radiators!

Again, thanks.

numist · 11-17-2003, 07:07 AM

when I lived in an older house, the previous owners had added central ir & heat, but left the radiators in. The plumbing was dry, and the radiators did not collide with the ducting at all.

I wound up spending over 100 hours and probably the same number of sawsall blades tearing half of the radiators out of the house because they were of no more use.

Leave them in, not only are they a fun historical looking thing, but theyre really nice to lie on when its really cold outside.

You've made the right choice.

powder · 11-17-2003, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by twan5
wow - thanks guys...

My wife and I have decided to keep the rediant heating.

Good call. Radiant heat is the best. If you have anold boiler you may want to consider changing it to something newer & more efficient sometime.

james t kirk · 11-17-2003, 02:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by powder
Good call. Radiant heat is the best. If you have anold boiler you may want to consider changing it to something newer & more efficient sometime.

I agree, good call to leave the radiant heating in place.

The newer boilers are about half the size of your average filing cabinet and very efficient.

Honestly, you can get a central air system that fits into your attic. Mitsubishi makes the "slim jim" or something like that.

They run the ducts in the attic, the cold air falls from the ceiling which is what you want anyway since cold air is heavier than warm air.

11-05-2003, 10:56 AM	#1 (permalink)
twan5 Crazy	Removing old house radiators? My wife and I just purchased a 1920's bungalow in a historic part of town. It's in really good shape for its age, but it has no central air and is still using radiators for heating... Well right off the bat, we both knew that we would want to add central air to the home. We've gotten bids for around $5-6k for a new a/c unit and all the duct work. And were told that an additional $1k will buy us a furnace. So it seems like a no brainer to add heat, except we still have the big bulky radiators located in the probable positions that the vents will most likely be located - at least on the first level. (Second level will probably have vents in the ceiling.) My question is - What is involved in removing the radiators for a water (not steam) closed system? I've tried some searches on google, but not having much luck. If anyone has any info on whats involved, or a link to a pretty thorough explaination on how to remove these things, it'll save me alot of money instead of hiring someone to do it... Thanks!

11-05-2003, 11:47 AM	#2 (permalink)
onetime2 Junkie Location: NJ	Here is a site for you that explains how the system works: http://www.diydata.com/planning/cent...g/pipework.htm and another http://www.diydata.com/planning/cent...ing/boiler.htm It's not that complicated. You need to turn off the boiler, drain the system, and then start ripping out the plumbing. To drain the system you will need to open the return pipe and send that water out of the basement (or wherever your boiler is). To make sure it drains completely you will need to open a vent at the top of the system to allow air in to replace the water going out. THen it's just a matter of disconnecting the radiators and removing them. Selling them as scrap should get you a decent chunk of $ as well. __________________ Strive to be more curious than ignorant.

11-05-2003, 02:22 PM	#3 (permalink)
j8ear Gentlemen Farmer Location: Middle of nowhere, Jersey	It's actually quite easy. In the basement by your current furnace (I'm assuming an oil fired hot water boiler), you just drain off the water (usually very oily water) into a 55 gallon trash can or ideally a utility sink located in your basement. The directions above are plenty explicit. Intricate ornate cast-iron radiators can go for big money too. Even if not that nice they can still fetch a pretty penny at a scrap yard. 250 pounds of cast iron is 250 pounds of cast iron after all. Don't let a contractor try and charge you to haul away your old radiators. -bear BTW...Radiator heat rules for all around coziness and comfort. Beats the pants of off forced hot air anytime. Although AC will require vents and forced air. __________________ It's alot easier to ask for forgiveness then it is to ask for permission. Last edited by j8ear; 11-05-2003 at 06:17 PM..

11-13-2003, 01:07 PM	#4 (permalink)
meembo Junkie Location: Connecticut	Don't forget to look for a buyer! There's a good second-hand market for unusual or like-new radiators, by people who like that type of heat (like me - can't stand forced air) or simply see them as house decor. They are usually taken apart, because as you know they are heavy as hell __________________ less I say, smarter I am

11-15-2003, 02:04 PM	#7 (permalink)
james t kirk Junkie Location: Toronto	Ok, listen to me. STOP RIGHT THERE AND DON'T DO IT. Hot water heating is far far far superior to any idiotic forced air system. Forced Air sucks. Hot water heating throws a perfect heat and warms the room without giving hot and cold spots like forced air. Also, it helps keep dust down, and stops the spread of infectious disease. It is superior in every way to forced air. New houses all have forced air cause it's cheap. You don't need a plumber to install ducts, anyone with a grade 6 education can install duct work. The other part of the equation is that your house will not have the proper head room and clearances for air ducts. You will have to do a lot of tearing up to install ducts. This will undoubtedly mean ripping up plaster walls to install ducts. Your contractor will then probably DRYWALL over the wound and you will forever see the discrepency in the wall plaster. Plaster is better than drywall, especially if you live in an area prone to mould. Any hospital of any quality always has hot water heating and plaster walls. Removing the radiators will leave holes in the hard wood (assuming it is authentic and has hard wood) which will be quite unsightly, and impossible to repair without being able to forever see the repairs. Not to mention that your contractor will probaby choose to merely abandon the old water pipes and you will forever be looking at them. DON'T DO IT. These older homes were meant to have hot water, it's part of the charm, it's part of the originality of the home. Originality, or doing renovations in keeping with the spirit of the original design will always add dollars to your investment. Hot water is also a selling feature in older homes. Those old rads can often be quite ornate. I live in an old part of Toronto, my house is 1922 but unfortunately, it has forced air. In my area, it's mostly hot water, but some houses were equipped with forced air. (Why i don't know.) If i had hot water, i would not be changing it, thats for sure. If you want central air, fine, get an attic system. Carrier makes an attic system that can be installed efficiently and easily and you can keep your hot water heating to boot. The cold air will fall from the upper floors to the lower floors quite well. Trust me, your contractor is selling you a con job. Any new high end home always has radiant heat (in the floors actually) and a separate AC unit. Don't believe me, go to a reputable HVAC outfit and ask them. People in the know pay big bucks for radiant heating. Go on google and type "radiant heating" and see for yourself, or here's a link for you. http://www.wattsradiant.com/homeowner/default.htm Don't do it man, you will be sorry...... cheers Last edited by james t kirk; 11-15-2003 at 02:14 PM..

11-13-2003, 02:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
twan5 Crazy	meembo - Aside from Ebay, what other types of places could I go to sell these things? Are there clubs, etc...? Thanks.

11-13-2003, 04:33 PM	#6 (permalink)
Mango Banned	Look around for a forum. I was the engineer on a project where a pile (~150) of them were removed. I found the owner a buyer for them in Belgum. The guy paid large for them then had to ship them. I used google to find the forum then just threw up a post.

11-15-2003, 09:52 PM	#8 (permalink)
sk8renigma Upright	im gonna have to second that guys statement, those radiators work greak in the winter, because they hold heat for so long. And on the removal of them, there is no easy way to do it. There will be alot of saw-zalling going on, because those old joints do not liek ot come apart.

11-17-2003, 07:01 AM	#9 (permalink)
twan5 Crazy	wow - thanks guys... My wife and I have decided to keep the rediant heating. Mainly because of the cost of switching the whole system out, but also because of the luxury of having it in the house already. But we are putting in central air - central Illinois summers can be a biatch. So I think that it will be a good mix of the two... Fortunately, upon inspecting the house, we will be able to put a central air system in with little to no damage to the house - because of closets and existing cavities stacking on top of each other... So that minimizes the labor involved. Plus, now I don't have as much work to do in removing the radiators! Again, thanks.

11-17-2003, 07:07 AM	#10 (permalink)
numist Banned Location: UCSD, 510.49 miles from my love	when I lived in an older house, the previous owners had added central ir & heat, but left the radiators in. The plumbing was dry, and the radiators did not collide with the ducting at all. I wound up spending over 100 hours and probably the same number of sawsall blades tearing half of the radiators out of the house because they were of no more use. Leave them in, not only are they a fun historical looking thing, but theyre really nice to lie on when its really cold outside. You've made the right choice.