A steam baseboard emitter rated at 100 steam EDR is equivalent to how many hot water EDR?

The correct equivalence of a steam baseboard emitter rated at 100 steam EDR (Equivalent Direct Radiation) converting to hot water EDR is indeed 160 EDR.

This conversion recognizes that steam and hot water emit heat differently. While both systems are designed to provide warmth within a space, steam systems are generally more effective at radiating heat than hot water systems. The factor used for this conversion is based on the efficiency and effective radiative capacity of steam versus hot water. Specifically, it is often established in mechanical engineering practices that 1 EDR of steam is equivalent to approximately 1.6 EDR of hot water due to the steam’s higher heat transfer capability.

In practice, this means that while a steam emitter has a rating of 100 EDR, which signifies its capacity to transfer heat through steam, the equivalent hot water emitter would require a higher rating, thus 160 EDR, to achieve the same heating effect. Understanding these conversions is critical for designing and evaluating heating systems effectively, ensuring that the right type of emitter is chosen for the heating load requirements.