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…
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
You need “The Lost Art of Steam Heating” by Dan Holohan. You will see venting explained very well.
Maybe we should do that one day, MP. It is always nice to enlarge the network of professionals.
-SM
You mean like this?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/gatewayplumbing/4051743460/
I’ve done a few of them.
pretty funny… me as alter ego.. i just personally do not get the aesthetic of convectors, but go figure… i had a client who wanted the “classic soho loft look” of a huge grid of 1 inch pipes as a radiator..never argue aesthetics…
If by “solar hot water system” you mean beer, then yes.
My bad. What I meant was a full tee. Not heel. This thread keeps getting sillier and sillier.
I’m bored. Anyone need a solar hot water system installed???
-SM
Steam Man speaks the truth….except one thing: I would use a 1-1/4″ x 1/2″ x 1-1/4″ heel tee (instead of the 1-1/4″ x 1/4″ fittings) and use a Gorton #2.
But that’s just me and I haven’t slept in days…partly because I’m up all night scheming about how best to utilize my alter ego eman powers for evil.
(MP squints and shifts eyes from side to side)
Thanks Brooklyn Plumber and SteamMan. Seltzers on me anytime!
The supply line and two convectors in question are the farthest from the boiler. I meant speed the steam in the sense of it not being slowed down by air pressure resistance.
Sometimes the air coming out of these convector air valves seems to surge then back off, and then surge again. Is this normal? The convectors closer to the boiler (but on the same floor) do not seem to do this.
SteamMan, I think I would prefer to tackle taking apart old pipe than attempt the volume of air in the pipe equation…
First off I find the prospect of eman1234 being MasterPlvmber’s alter ego to be F&@!ing HILARIOUS!!!! On the other hand if he were then it would really be sad. Anyhoo, on to more fun subjects. Lets talk steam!
OK. Bottom line is that if you have to start pulling apart pipe (worse still old pipe) then the installation of the vent is not worth it at all.
You aren’t going to lessen the sound of the air escaping at each radiator only decrease the duration. The decibel level will remain the same. If you really want to have fun you can calculate the volume of air in the pipe – V=(pi*r^2)*length and then determine the time it will take to release V(air)at the pressure in your boiler at time of steaming from an orifice of diameter x (the size of the air vent hole). At this point someone will make an orifice joke.
Although if you were to do it, the spot you have selected would work. Furthermore the fittings you want are a 1-1/4″ heel tee with a 1-1/4″ x 1/4″ black bushing. Dope them bad boys up nice and good and call it a day. Point is this whole installation of an air vent is a very big waste of time for no appreciable gain.
Ok now buy me a seltzer, I’m done….
-SteamMan has spoken…..