Is there a way to regulate a steam radiator?
November 22, 2013 12:33 PM Subscribe
Apartment dweller here; I don't use much heat, and believe there is an addition to one-pipe steam radiator to regulate them? Anything on the market? reliable? cost?
We used to live in a building with one-pipe steam heat. We were warned that the steam inlet valves to the radiators had to be all the way on or all the way off — anything in between would cause condensate to build up in the radiator instead of running back down the pipe to the boiler, and that can cause a bunch of problems (like "steam hammer", which is not a sound you want to hear at 3 AM).
What you can do is regulate the air vent at the opposite end of the radiator. When that vent is open, there's a pressure differential and steam comes into the radiator. Most vents just close at a fixed temperature (once the steam reaches the end of the radiator), but you can get thermostatic valves that let you adjust the temperature that the radiator is allowed to reach — see here. I wouldn't touch a steam system without at least talking to the plumber who maintains it, though -- steam systems are tricky.
posted by irrelephant at 12:53 PM on November 22, 2013
What you can do is regulate the air vent at the opposite end of the radiator. When that vent is open, there's a pressure differential and steam comes into the radiator. Most vents just close at a fixed temperature (once the steam reaches the end of the radiator), but you can get thermostatic valves that let you adjust the temperature that the radiator is allowed to reach — see here. I wouldn't touch a steam system without at least talking to the plumber who maintains it, though -- steam systems are tricky.
posted by irrelephant at 12:53 PM on November 22, 2013
Response by poster: thanks, absolutely, job for a plumber
posted by ebesan at 1:01 PM on November 22, 2013
posted by ebesan at 1:01 PM on November 22, 2013
Most radiators I've seen that are controllable have this kind of thermostat dial on them.
That looks like a thermostatic valve for a two pipe, hot water system; the OP has one-pipe steam.
This is what you use to regulate a steam system. Your radiator should already have some sort of air valve/vent, usually mounted on the side of the radiator opposite the steam pipe, near the top. And you should be able to replace it yourself if you want or need to; all you need is a pair of channellock pliers & a rag to keep from scratching the valve. Not all vents are adjustable: their primary purpose is to let the air out so the radiator can heat up, and then shut so the steam doesn't escape. If you frequently have steam hissing out of a vent, it needs to be replaced. The linked valve is adjustable, however, so it can be used to help balance the system.
I've had steam in a couple houses I've owned, and 90% of the air vents needed replacement. I've been warned off of the cheap valves that your big box store carries, and I've been happy with the brand I get from my local plumbing supplier, but my google-foo has failed to find that exact valve.
posted by mr vino at 1:02 PM on November 22, 2013
That looks like a thermostatic valve for a two pipe, hot water system; the OP has one-pipe steam.
This is what you use to regulate a steam system. Your radiator should already have some sort of air valve/vent, usually mounted on the side of the radiator opposite the steam pipe, near the top. And you should be able to replace it yourself if you want or need to; all you need is a pair of channellock pliers & a rag to keep from scratching the valve. Not all vents are adjustable: their primary purpose is to let the air out so the radiator can heat up, and then shut so the steam doesn't escape. If you frequently have steam hissing out of a vent, it needs to be replaced. The linked valve is adjustable, however, so it can be used to help balance the system.
I've had steam in a couple houses I've owned, and 90% of the air vents needed replacement. I've been warned off of the cheap valves that your big box store carries, and I've been happy with the brand I get from my local plumbing supplier, but my google-foo has failed to find that exact valve.
posted by mr vino at 1:02 PM on November 22, 2013
This is similar to what we had on our steam radiator: thermostatic radiator valve. It basically allows more or less steam to vent depending on the temperature you set it at. They actually aren't hard to install: you take out the old air valve and screw in this contraption.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:19 PM on November 22, 2013
posted by oneirodynia at 4:19 PM on November 22, 2013
We've got something similar to the vent-rite on most of our radiators. They work adequately enough. It's nothing like having an actual thermostat, of course.
There's one radiator in our unit that seems to have a non-standard outlet to the steam valve and I can't switch one of these onto it. What I've found to work, at least in a binary way, is to just rotate the steam outlet on its threads 1/2 rotation, so the top is pointing down. This seems to effectively turn it "off" while the main valve is still open. Fortunately this is in a room we don't use much, and we're on a middle floor in the building, too, so even though most of the time I leave it in the "down" position the room is warm enough for us most of the time. It's only on really cold windy days in January and February that I'll turn it to the "up" position during the day, if I'm going to be in the room for any length of time.
posted by qurlyjoe at 5:59 PM on November 22, 2013
There's one radiator in our unit that seems to have a non-standard outlet to the steam valve and I can't switch one of these onto it. What I've found to work, at least in a binary way, is to just rotate the steam outlet on its threads 1/2 rotation, so the top is pointing down. This seems to effectively turn it "off" while the main valve is still open. Fortunately this is in a room we don't use much, and we're on a middle floor in the building, too, so even though most of the time I leave it in the "down" position the room is warm enough for us most of the time. It's only on really cold windy days in January and February that I'll turn it to the "up" position during the day, if I'm going to be in the room for any length of time.
posted by qurlyjoe at 5:59 PM on November 22, 2013
A thermostatic radiator valve like oneirodynia linked to is the way to go. Danfoss is the industry leader and the only thing I would spec but i am sure the honeywell is also fine. Danfoss invented the thermally operated valve. A manual vent is not the way to go.
Pedantic maybe but plumbers dont work on steam systems. Fitters do. You need an HVAC contractor to install that if you chose not up to do it yourself. That said steam systems are tricky, its always good to talk to a pro.
posted by ihadapony at 5:21 PM on November 23, 2013
Pedantic maybe but plumbers dont work on steam systems. Fitters do. You need an HVAC contractor to install that if you chose not up to do it yourself. That said steam systems are tricky, its always good to talk to a pro.
posted by ihadapony at 5:21 PM on November 23, 2013
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posted by JoeZydeco at 12:44 PM on November 22, 2013