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December 3, 2003
Understanding 1928 Steam Heating
The cold weather and a lot of prodding got me interested in solving a heating disparity in our home. We have steam heated radiators throughout the home, but for the past three winters (since we've lived here) 50% of the radiators get 100% of the steam and thus only 50% of our house is warm.
I've had several theories about the heating problem but wasn't until today's extreme cold that I attempted to test any of the theories.
Each radiator has a small valve/dial on the side opposite the steam entrance, numbered from 1 to 10. My theory was that as steam rose from the furnace each radiator valve would regulate how much/fast the steam came through by allowing air currently in the radiator to escape making room for the steam. Radiators with closed valves would make very little room for steam and not get warm while radiators with open valves would get hot quickly.
The theory seems to be true. Each radiator that was getting no heat either had a closed valve or the valve was clogged. I pulled each valve off and blew air through until it flowed easily through. Within just a few minutes of the valve opening or cleaning the "poor" radiators became hot.
Will continue to monitor over the next week to make sure we've got valves set correctly to heat the house evenly. Going into our third winter here it feels really good to have this solved.
Posted by mike at December 3, 2003 9:43 PM
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Comments
Why stop with just cleaning and adjusting the valves? Why not fit them with geared stepper motors and a thermistor in each room connected to a Linux box so you can adjust the steam in each room to maintain the precise temperature you want based on time of day and day of week? This is a benefit not so easily achieved with forced-air furnaces.
Posted by: Pete at December 4, 2003 3:22 PM
Hi Mike: I have had the same gas steam heat for 50 years, a bryant, that I inherted from my grandfather,im in the house for 30 years and had the same problem with cleaning the valves, in viniger and water, I finaly changed my thermostat to an Energy star programable and all steamvalves, made by "J" steam air valves 1/8" #5 angle from ACE Hardware, I have never had better heat. the system is probably not as effcient as modern but I have great heat now.
Posted by: Pat at January 17, 2004 10:44 AM
I have a radiator in my bedroom that I believe is
causing some kind of fume to be released in the air. This fume only comes from this one radiator.
Can I do something myslef to fix this problem?
Posted by: Randolph Newkirk at January 17, 2004 12:21 PM
Hey Mike,
I read on your site that you "...Will continue to monitor over the next week to make sure we've got valves set correctly to heat the house evenly..."
I also have steam heat. At what setting should each of the valves be set at? I heard from someone at Home Depot that the radiators farthest from your boiler should be set to the highest "10" setting, while those closer to the boiler should be set to the lower "1" setting (or somewhere in between). What is your suggestion?
Posted by: Michael at January 18, 2004 1:33 AM