Forum: Heating
October 30, 2009
Cast Iron Radiators - $75
Various Sizes - $75 each, good condition, Can deliver this weekend (small fee) for this weekend only.
listing = w" x h", # of fins
1. 12" x 37 1/2" , 4 fins
2. 34" x 38', 12 fins
3. 27" x 38", 10 fins
4. 25" x 41" , 8 fins
5. 25" x 48", 8 fins
6. 22" x 38", 7 fins
7. SOLD
8. SOLD
9. 31" x 34", 10 fins
10. 26" x 38", 10 fins
11. 28" x 38", 11 fins
12. 32" x 30, 10 fins
13. SOLD
Heat Timer - oil tank gauge
My building is looking to upgrade our Heat Timer (MPC Platinum) to include some of the remote monitoring features (apartment temps, etc).
One of the options is a oil tank gauge. Does anyone know how accurate these are?
We currently have a glass petrometer, which is only useful for pretty gross measurement.
October 29, 2009
Cast Iron RADIATORS - for sale
No pictures yet. We are renovating and have about 10 radiators (varied sizes) to sell. Will post pics tomorrow. THinking of selling for $100 each. Any interest?
Hissing, But No Heat
Still trying to troubleshoot heating problems in my building...What could be the cause of the problem if some radiators are hissing but are staying ice cold while other radiators are getting warm. What causes hissing without heat? Any ideas?
October 28, 2009
Those Clanging Pipes
Not a brownstone question, but a familiar problem: clanging pipes in a coop building. How to figure out where the problem lies? I hear a lot of it in my bedroom, even though I never have the heat on there. (enough ambient heat)
It is steam heat, the radiators have those little valves, should I ask management to get all the radiators in that line checked out?
October 27, 2009
Enclosing Radiator in Front Hall
We needed to run a new plumbing chase in our front hall, and our architect is recommending incorporating this into a new radiator enclosure to make it look a little less random. Makes perfect sense from a design perspective, but the radiator will have to be a bit smaller to fit the design. We'd be going to a radiator that's ~40" tall to one that's 28", in a typical front hall in a 20' brownstone, with entry vestibule. Thoughts on the likely impact to warmth? My reaction is that the hall doesn't need to be so hot, but I'd love a more informed opinion. Thanks!
Uneven Heat in Building
We have a mid-size building (more than 20 apartments, fewer than 40). Some of the radiators in one line of the apartments aren't working. The other radiators work fine. One plumber suggested replacing the valves on each radiator in each apartment at a cost of more than $100 per apartment. Does this sound like the right fix at the right cost? Are we overlooking something? Could there be an easier solution that doesn't require work in the entire building?
October 26, 2009
Add an Air Vent? Round Two...
Posted this question yesterday and decided to repost tonight looking for a little more input. My apologies if it is not of interest.
Decided to go ahead and change out old cast iron radiators with cast iron convectors on my one pipe steam system (earlier post "standard vs convector). Have finished six of ten (the back of the house). New supply valves and new air vents. I realize it's not the most ideal heating system, but I have not spent much making the changes and the results have been better than expected. The question I have now is about adding an air vent at the top of a 1.25" supply riser. It supplies two radiators on the second floor. My thought is to have the bulk of the air released there so the air vents on the radiators only have to vent the smaller sections of reduced 1" supply pipe. Good /bad idea? Would it make any difference? In addition to increasing the speed of steam to the radiators, I would like to minimize the sound of the air release as those two radiators are in a bedroom. Additionally, the air vents on the radiators are the correct size for the location of the radiators according to manufacturer suggestion.
Earlier comments:
COMMENTS
Of course it's a good idea. I hope you have a "T" at that bend though. I have something similar. The only problem was a constant wet spot on the ceiling above the escaping steam. I finally busted out the plaster above the vent.
Posted by: modsquad at October 25, 2009 12:06 PM
what a complete waste of money
Posted by: eman1234 at October 25, 2009 10:31 PM
eman1234,
do you say it is a waste of money because there would be no benefit? The cost of the proper domestic steam fitting is roughly $8. Air valve roughly $15. Would take about 1.5 hours to complete the job. Drill and tap would be cheaper and quicker, but I prefer to do it the other way. So, if I obtain the benefit I'm looking for as stated in the OP, the $25 spent would be worth it to me.
Posted by: pig three at October 26, 2009 2:32 PM
October 25, 2009
Add Air Vent?
Decided to go ahead and change out old cast iron radiators with cast iron convectors on my one pipe steam system (earlier post "standard vs convector). Have finished six of ten (the back of the house). New supply valves and new air vents. I realize it's not the most ideal heating system, but I have not spent much making the changes and the results have been better than expected. The question I have now is about adding an air vent at the top of a 1.25" supply riser. It supplies two radiators on the second floor. My thought is to have the bulk of the air released there so the air vents on the radiators only have to vent the smaller sections of reduced 1" supply pipe. Good /bad idea? Would it make any difference? In addition to increasing the speed of steam to the radiators, I would like to minimize the sound of the air release as those two radiators are in a bedroom. Additionally, the air vents on the radiators are the correct size for the location of the radiators according to manufacturer suggestion.
October 21, 2009
Replacing Radiators
Doing a renovation and would like to remove the bulky cast iron radiators. They heat the house perfectly, but I'm concerned that it may burn my 3yr old or might be a problem for my baby on the way. I'm thinking about baseboard but is that the only option that I have? My heating contractor told me of a low profile cast iron baseboard, but it potentially gets hot like a full sized radiator being that it's also cast iron. Almost feel like I'm throwing away money replacing them, but don't want my kids to get hurt. Opinions anyone?
October 20, 2009
Urgent Prob with Heating Co.
Wondering if anyone has thoughts about what we can do. A heating company recently installed a new heating system in our house, and as part of the job were supposed to put a working duct into a garden level hallway and bath. They finished the rest of the job but left that undone, promising they would come back to do it. They didn't, even after I tried to schedule it many times. Since we paid for this through a credit plan they offered, they went ahead and paid for the whole job that way though I don't remember signing off since I was waiting for them to finish the stuff mentioned above. Problem is that we have a baby and it is very cold on that part of the floor - she's already got her first cold of the season, probably because they didn't finish their job. It's very frustrating since I've already spent a lot of time trying to get them to come finish the job, but they've already paid themselves through the credit plan.
I am planning to fill out a claim at the Better Business Bureau and talk to my cousin who is a lawyer.
Any suggestions for how to get them to finish the job? Has anyone else been left in the lurch like this because of a company's credit plan?
SHould I just give up and hire another company to add heat on that part of the floor? I would never had paid them before they'd finished the above parts of the job, but it was out of my hands. My husband has been away so I'm trying to sort this out - no doubt there is a gender issue at work, too. It's been very frustrating, and now the baby has a cold because they didn't do the whole job they promised,
Thanks in advance.
At wit's end,
Lee
October 17, 2009
Boiler/Radiator
as owner of two family brownstone for 10+ years, have always had poor heating on the top two floors, despite adjusting pressure, bleeding radiators, etc.
have also been told in the past two years the boiler should be replaced and runs very costly, inefficiently.
it's currently oil, hot water system. the boiler is huge, decades old, the radiators paint encrusted, probably as old as the boiler, none on the top floor radiate heat.
i would like to upgrade the system, replace the boiler and get new radiators for the top two floors.
my questions would be
-- should i do a new oil boiler or switch to gas
-- radiators - i know of governale radiators and they look exact replacements, but wondered if anyone has installed them
--any tips or recommendations for how to proceed, as it's a big undertaking. do i buy everything or have plumber do it all.......
thks!
October 16, 2009
Boiler/heating system repair ref
Hi all,
I have a boiler/hot water heating system that works fine in 3 of the 4 floors in my building but not the top floor. Looking for someone who specializes in repairing such systems. Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Unbalanced Heating in 2-Family
We live in a steam heated 3-story, 2 family brownstone & rent out the top floor. It's cozy downstairs, but frigid upstairs. The difference can be as much as 8 degrees. I was told the top floor is usually warmer than the bottom. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Oil Compan Rec
As an architect, I go OCD on details. I called 6 other companies before I settled on oil for less (www.oilforless.com). I chose Oil for Less because of the level of professionalism and informative service I received from John. he was courteous, knowledgable, patient, diligent and a pleasure to work with. I was skeptical about paying the one time $175 for the service contract but John was patient and helpful in clearly articulating what I would be getting in return. He is by far the most knowldgeable person I have spoken to about heating my building in NY (I called 6 others and have a 4 family bstone in the stuy). I signed up with Oilforless and was linked up to my current oil provider Jennings and Hartwell Fuel Co. My expecations have been far exceeded. They offer competitive rock botom gallon prices...actually... Let me start off with their level of customer service. From Sara (who is the customer service representative who calls you and sets up your appointments)to Mr. Lawrence (who is a master heating genius). The service had just been impeccable. My Oil was a delivered and we discovered that the boiler was not staying on. I called the 24 hour number ( just one day after I signed up) and Mr. Lawrence was in my house within hours. He knows EVERYTHING about boilers and heating. He fixed the problem and got us up and running again. He scheduled my for a thorough cleaning etc etc.. Bottom line is you can't do better than OilforLess and Jenning/Hartwell Fuel Co in NY. So do yourself a favor and call them now! Jennings and Hartwell 7185274697/5007
October 15, 2009
New Heating System Cost?
Hey Brownstoners,
I'm trying to buy a small 2-story, one family in queens that has a wicked old forced air system with one big vent for the whole house. We don't have much $$ but obviously we need to have heat. What is a good ballpark cost for installing a new boiler, radiators and piping for a 1,000 sq/foot home? Also. any recommendations for heating companies?
Thanks!
Hot Water System Help
Last time I wrote about capping a radiator, Bobjohn correctly asked whether I was unknowingly describing a hot water system. Well, it's a new place (for us) and we're just getting to know the place, so yes indeed it is a hot water system (converted from steam, it seems, years and years ago).
During our reno, the system was bled and this one radiator was taken out. Do I have this right: I need to connect the two pipes where the radiator was, not cap them, right?
And is this a piping connection that's going to need soldering? I can't visualize how to get two elbows plus a piece of straight pipe together with threading, unless there's a clever coupling I can get.
And last, what am I looking for in a vlalve on the hot water heater to let me charge the system back up once I've closed the gap?
Thanks!
October 14, 2009
Radiator Covers' Impact?
Does anyone know the impact of radiator covers on the effectiveness of old-school cast iron radiators in a hot water system? These are the standard wooden ones with a solid wood top and a metal grating on front.
I like the exposed radiators, the spouse likes them covered. I feel like they'll heat the room better if they're uncovered.
Am I right? Is he right? Or does covered vs. uncovered really not amount to a hill of beans, so people should just do what they like best aesthetically?
Thanks.
Rec for Boiler Inspection
Hi I'm looking for recs for boiler inspection. We have Burnham 2A boilers. I'm not sure of the BTUs, but we have a small two-fam, each unit individually heated - roughly 800 sqft each. I used to use SJ Fuel for the last three seasons, but they'd inspect it, and then in the middle of winter, my boiler would conk out. Thanks!
October 12, 2009
Bathroom Heating
We're mid-way through a brownstone reno, and our contractor is suggesting that our heating plan for a new bathroom is insufficient, and he wants to re-run risers for a radiator. It's the small room in front over the stoop - with a window - and we'd planned on electric radiant floor heating and a towel warmer. Will we want more heat? Will some kind of electric unit be crazy expensive? Would love input. Thanks!
October 10, 2009
Peerless or Weil McLain
For Gas powered Steam heat would you use a Peerless boiler or a Weil McLain?
Reasons would be helpful.
Thanks for any advice you can offer.
October 8, 2009
Used Heat-Timers?
I've got an older Heat-Timer installed that has gone bad. I called Heat-Timer in to have a look and they tell me it can't be repaired and they are pricing a new one at over $3,000! Do any of you know some sort of supply store that sells used (but tested) Heat-Timers? Thanks.
October 6, 2009
Boiler Inspection
Hi All,
I'm looking for a company to inspect my boiler. Anyone have any good recommendations?
Thank you
October 3, 2009
Cap for a removed radiator?
During a renovation we had a radiator removed from a room where it wasn't needed, though the pipes and everything else remained. I just noticed that where the radiator connected the pipes are still open. Will I need to cap these for the system to function? WIll the absence of the radiator screw up the rest of the system - i.e. do I need to close the connection between the 2 ends? Thanks for your help!
October 1, 2009
Solar Hot Water, High-Efficiency
Does anyone have experience with payback on solar hot water systems in brownstones? This is a four-story brownstone with 6 people. Gas heating, two washer/dryers.
Also, what has been your experience with high-efficiency furnaces -- Munchkins, etc.? What kind of payback can be expected? Gennaro was considering this last December -- what did you finally decide on?