Thermostatic Radiator Valve
I’m interested to hear opininos from anyone who has experience with Thermostatic Radiator Valves(TRV)for s single pipe steam heat system. Also, where would one go to purchase them, what models do you recommend, and what else would I need to know before purchasing them. Here are a couple of urls that describe them and how…
I’m interested to hear opininos from anyone who has experience with Thermostatic Radiator Valves(TRV)for s single pipe steam heat system. Also, where would one go to purchase them, what models do you recommend, and what else would I need to know before purchasing them. Here are a couple of urls that describe them and how to install them.
http://www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960509.html
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/video/0,,1638722,00.html
Thanks…
Check last winter’s posts on this topic.
In a nutshell, new high tech is attempting to reinvent the wheel. 80 years ago these issues were solved using Gorton valves with various diameter air elimination holes. Though prohibitively expensive to install from scratch, the steam heating system is an elegant solution with extremeley few moving parts. They can be very efficient and save energy by not using fossil fuels, but also not consuming raw materials in the manufacture and fabrication of many complex parts.
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.