Steam Radiator Valve Questions
I’ve got a steam heat system with radiators for my 3-family building. The hallway radiator right by the front hall entrance just seems like a total waste of energy- can I just turn the valve off? Is there any downside to turning one radiator off in a system like this? I also have a bedroom…
I’ve got a steam heat system with radiators for my 3-family building.
The hallway radiator right by the front hall entrance just seems like a total waste of energy- can I just turn the valve off?
Is there any downside to turning one radiator off in a system like this?
I also have a bedroom which gets too hot- can I just turn the valve half way off to reduce the amount of heat coming from that radiator?
I know ideally changing the vent size might be better, but are the above acceptable solutions too?
Please advise- thanks!
as has been said, you can’t turn the valve “half off” or you will get water build up in your radiator and a whole ton of noise every time the heat comes on.
A Hoffman 1A vent on the smallest setting has the lowest airflow of any vent, so go with that in the bedroom.
just turn it off and see whether it gets too cold–perfectly fine for the system and easy to test. you can’t do half on. if you need less heat but more than zero, than a change of vent is the answer. I think these are pretty cheap (non-thermostatic ones) so you could do some trial and error if the first size you try isnt quite right.
The hallway radiator in our house was on the ground floor when we bought the place. But after we renovated and turned that floor into a rental, we quickly discovered that the triplex hall upstairs was freezing. We installed a radiator in the parlor floor hallway and are very glad we did. Unless your house is super-tight and well insulated, you might live to regret removing that rad.
Get a Honeywell “1/8 One Pipe Steam Thermostatic Radiator valve” for the bedroom (also other manufs), which will adjust the heat. Note that the thermostat is sold separately, in all about $90. 5 minute install DIY
At least in my house, the hallway radiator heats the whole stairway, can’t imagine how cold it would be without it.
It’s either all the way on or all the way off. You can’t throttle steam in a one pipe system.
-SteamMan