Be careful what you wish for,,,

They work well, but with some caveats. You cannot reduce radiation capacity significantly or the boiler will short-cycle and be very inefficient. I have trv's on 5 out of 9 radiators, keeping them off the ones on the parlor floor, particularly. This also keeps the boiler thermostat on that floor happy. Mostly to cut down bedroom heat during the day (also one bedroom radiator is way too large.) Note the heat adjustment is quite slow, you can't waltz in and turn it up expecting fast heat.

needs 2 parts; Armstrong (see website, body and thermostat, I think, about $70) I also have 1 Macon about $100.

http://www.statesupply.com/displayCategory.do?cuid=FP_VC_Therm_Rad_Valves has these & others.

Posted by: cmu at August 21, 2007 4:42 PM in response to Thermostatic Radiator Valve

If he flew the coup, maybe he's jus being prudent. Was it a violent one?

Posted by: cmu at August 24, 2007 11:39 AM in response to Contractor woes

Considering that the ducts will be completely concealed, use at least a couple of sheet metal screws for mechanical fastening, then the alum. tape.

Posted by: cmu at August 26, 2007 11:24 AM in response to bathroom exhaust fan installation?

How large is your house? 315kbtu is enormous for a typical brownstone. Many installers oversize, make sure this is correct or you'll pay forever.

As a guide, my 3000 sq ft 4 floor semi-detahed has a 150kbtu steam unit. And I paid Keyspan 5000 in '02.

Posted by: cmu at August 26, 2007 11:28 AM in response to keyspan boiler quote

RH is $900. Try signaturehardware.com, less than $200.

Posted by: cmu at August 27, 2007 9:27 AM in response to Clawfoot tub shower converter?

Place the screws towards the top of the vent or sides. Just insurance since tape will eventually weaken. Alum. foil tape is like more expensive duct tape.

Posted by: cmu at August 27, 2007 11:46 AM in response to bathroom exhaust fan installation?

Place the screws towards the top of the vent or sides. Just insurance since tape will eventually weaken. Alum. foil tape is like more expensive duct tape.

You might be able to crimp the larger duct since it's flexible stuff. If done carefully and taped, there will be no leaks.

Posted by: cmu at August 27, 2007 11:48 AM in response to bathroom exhaust fan installation?

Go bamboo. Ecologically correct, looks great, wears well. You can get it done for $3k (maybe more for tile tearout, but you can probably lay on top with hardboard underlay).

Unless of course, you want to be "historically accurate" as some will point out. I would not listen to them.

Posted by: cmu at August 28, 2007 3:11 PM in response to What kind of floor do you recommend?

Didn't notice the "doing gut reno in a few years!"

Once again I am amazed at the wastefulness exhibited by those with money to burn. Oh, we'll just spend 2 thou and dump it all in a few years. After all, the landfills can handle it. And why worry about being green?

Being concerned about toxics is a good start, but that's personal. Being concerned for the world may be worth considering.

Come to think of it, why worry about durability of bamboo if you're going to rip it up anyway? Wow.

Posted by: cmu at August 28, 2007 5:19 PM in response to What kind of floor do you recommend?

One more subsidy to the upper class I didn't take advantage of. Time to change accountants.

Posted by: cmu at August 29, 2007 9:06 AM in response to Capital Improvement sales tax?

oops, I see you posted a clarification while I was drafting my comment, so some of my comments are moot.

Posted by: Ecobrownstone at May 16, 2008 12:01 AM in response to Solar hot water and radiant floor heating

Ruthanne...ill call you when the apt is available. My building is located very close to your office. ginger's bar building.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 9:31 AM in response to Landlords: How long did it take to rent your apt's

We did pretty significant work without any permits (plumbing and waste line moved, one wall moved), at our GC's suggestion. I was super nervous, and researched here too. I think it's very common and easy to get away with it your neighbors and tenants are ok. We were fine, and we even had a pile of kitchen rubble in front of the house for a couple of weeks at least. Good luck.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 10:25 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

It's worth spending the time and a little money to get the permit. If the DOB or a lawsuit comes your way for not having a permit, it'll cost you more time and money.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 11:09 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

It seems silly to jeopardize your safety (e.g. if something goes wrong) or be subject by punitive action by DOB just to save a $$ or time. We reconfigured our house similarly when we first moved in, but now that we’re selling, I so glad we did everything by the books. As a homeowner, you've made a signficant investment. Don't take the low road now.

FYI, everyone I know that skirted the permit issue, got busted. It happens in even less establish neighborhoods such Crown Heights, Bed-Stuy, Greenpoint, Red Hook...

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 11:32 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

Get your architect to self-certify. That will eliminate the hassle with he DoB.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 11:45 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

11:32 says why you need permits. When it's time to sell you will lose a lot of money in the sale because of violations on the books. And you'll have those violations because you will be reported to the DOB by your neighbors. Tearing out walls creates major debris and noise. Plus how are you going to park a dumpster out front without permits?

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 11:48 AM in response to do we need a building permit?

So many on this forum bash developers for breaking the rules or pushing the limits, and now the rules are being negotiated by a homeowner, something that often takes place. You can't have it both ways.

When you operate without a permit you have to operate in the dark, fearful of a call to 311. If you have the stomach for that go for it, just be prepared to deal with any fallout.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 12:13 PM in response to do we need a building permit?

Both myself and my neighbors made big changes without permits. Our plans of the house were vague enough (bathroom not mapped out at all) that we and the GC figured come sale time (no time soon) we would be fine. When we got a dumpster it was there for a morning and then picked up quickly. This was in Red Hook. Neighbors selling their house now for a TON of money, so assuming no problems with the work in their case.

Posted by: guest at May 16, 2008 1:36 PM in response to do we need a building permit?

Excuse me, 11:48, we bought our house "as is", with no CO in '01, which was very common, and probably continues so unless we have a major re crash. Even our well-regarded attorney told us not to worry about some violations on the books and fix it ourselves later (we never officialy did, we have an "unpainted hallway" and "hole in wall" on the books.)

We got a mortgage, and re-fi-ed in '03 with no problems.

Who are these people who can't finance, sell or otherwise have problems in Brooklyn? Any specific examples?

Btw, parking a dumpster requires a permit for parking a dumpster, not for anything else. The dumpster permitteers probably don't talk to the others.

Posted by: cmu at May 16, 2008 3:14 PM in response to do we need a building permit?