Cast Iron Radiators Key Terms
Learn what to know when restoring or installing cast iron radiators
Cast iron residential radiators are regaining popularity because they hold their heat longer, lessening that feeling of "on" or "off" that other methods of heating, such as forced hot air, provide.Whether a contractor, homeowner or someone thinking of selling cast iron heating, there are some cast iron radiators key terms to remember. This helps ensure that you will use any radiator to its full capacity.
1. Understand what a one or two pipe cast iron radiator means.
2. Learn about BTUs and how to determine the BTUs of cast iron radiators.
3. Identify the different parts of cast iron radiators.
Know the difference between one- and two-pipe cast iron radiators
The difference can be important, especially when installing a cast iron radiator during present-day renovation or new construction. Consider the heating system of the building when choosing to heat with a radiator. If the heating system is a hot water boiler, the radiator needs to be a two-pipe system. If the heating system if a steam system, there will be just one pipe.
Try: A1 New & Used Plumbing and Heating is a good source for antique cast iron radiators. All About Radiators helps you find a cast iron radiator with ornate designs to fit your decor.
Learn about BTUs and how to measure the cast iron radiator's capacity
One of the cast iron radiators key terms is BTU, which stands for British Thermal Unit. The BTU is a measure of thermal heat. When considering heating a room, find the amount the BTUs the used cast iron radiators can create. For an average room, 45 BTUs/square feet is necessary to warm it.
Try: Companies like Colonial Supply and Hydronics Specialties Company have charts that can help you determine the EDR of the cast iron radiator, or the Equivalent Direct Radiation, so you know the right BTU you need for your room.
Know the terms to describe the cast iron radiator
The two main styles of the antique cast iron radiators are column or Corto style. The column style of the antique cast iron radiator has two columns that are side by side and are each 3 or 4 inches wide. A Corto cast iron radiator has five tubes side by side, and each of the tubes is about 1 to 2 inches wide.
Try: Radical Radiator and Tuscan Foundry Products have Corto and column cast iron radiators.
- With the information above, any contractor or retailer will be able to be more knowledgeable about cast iron radiators. What is helpful is that the companies who sell the antique cast iron radiators also sell more than one cast iron radiator valve as well as be a resource for cast iron radiator repair.
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