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.
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.
You have got to obtain the book “The Lost Art of Steam Heating” by Dan Holohan. It will answer all of your questions. Many plumbers are very ignorant of how steam systems work. You can arm yourself with knowledge.
And please, please, please, if you heat with oil, do not settle for a “tuneup” that is not done with combustion testing equipment. An oil burner CANNOT be serviced safely or efficiently without instrumentation.
cmu, with all due respect (you’re obviously an intelligent and educated gentleman), those western and southern homes are in climates that aren’t nearly as harsh as ours in New York and New England. They use lesser heating systems because their demand allows it.
Petebklyn, I’m sorry I couldn’t say. All thermostats have a different way of setting the anticipator.
where would I find this anticipator setting on thermostat to check , Master Plumber?
Your opinions, MP when you stray from your undoubtedly excellent technical knowledge, are…shall I say, not always justifiable.
Your example merely shows that *marketing* a system can influence its choice. Luxury condos nowadays are beginning to use the Unico high-speed duct system (obviously less efficient, but less obtrusive also).
Funny how all those Western and Southern homes are contentedly living with dirt-filled ducts and burnt air and inferior heat. Guess we are just more sophisticated in the Northeast.
Yes, cmu, dirt-collecting ductwork and seriously deficient relative humidity are wicked awesome features in a “luxury” home.
Ever see sales literature for a “luxury” home? Wonder why a water-based heating systems are an upcharge?
Keep ’em coming. Your opinions are gold.
Only in the NE do you find hidebound opinions like the two above.
if you think about it, there’s a good reason “85% of US homes are heated with forced [crappy] air”…because it’s cheaper to install, it’s comfortable and it responds faster. You will note that many ‘luxury’ new apartments have forced air.
master plumber… i had to do exactly that today, because the client had replaced the thermostat himself..who the hell in nyc has forced hot air ( burnt air)
Brenda nailed it. Works EVERY time.
Wyckoff, you’ve got a fine understanding of the process of steam heating for a (I’m assuming) non pro.
Except one thing. The air vents close when steam reaches them because they’re filled with fluid that expands and closes the air passage.
It’s a temperature thing, not necessarily a pressure thing (though high pressure can close them too). Good work!
There are other factors that determine balance, lately the most common one I see is everyone’s brand new fancy schmancy programmable thermostat is factory-set to work with a forced air system (something like 85% of US homes are heated with forced crappy air), which requires shorter, more frequent cycles than steam.
Find the anticipator setting or the one that says you’re using “hydronic” or “water-based” heating.
Me:
http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com
as what slopefarm said…. radiators need to be ‘balanced’ – this is release valves on the radiator with larger openings furthest from heat source and smaller one closer to it (meaning your apt -)…If this is a newish problem maybe that release valves are clogged upstairs and need to be replaced.
ANy heating/plumbing company can do — or you can google and get info…draw a chart where your boiler is and radiators are – and also find a helpful plumbing supply store guy if DIY person ( this is nor rocket science).