Radiator and thermostat help

We have steam heat and the house is too hot on top and cold on the parlor floor where the thermostat is. We need help figuring out the right size for the radiators and possibly moving the thermostat. One radiator leaks. Is this job for a plumber or are we supposed to call a heating specialist?

trudylou

in About Brooklyn 11 years and 4 months ago

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cmu | 11 years and 4 months ago

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Heat rises and typical browstone windows (and maybe ceiling) are leaky, so the top floors get hotter as cold air flows in below and out the top. Insulation helps but air-tightness is better, though it may not be cost-effective to change windows. I tape the top 2 floors. That said, ‘balancing’ is tricky and you may need a steam heat specialist. You can try replacing the steam vents yourself (and should if they’re faulty) with smaller ones above and more open ones below. You can add steam-radiator themostats on *some* of the radiators, say 2 on the top floor to regulate them. You cannot turn off the valve without causing more problems and imbalance. Moving the thermostat will probably make no difference in the heat balance.

mousta | 11 years and 4 months ago

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It might have a lot to do with insulation and leaky door and window frames on the parlor floor. If not then you should bring a plumber in to look at the radiators and valves. You can get the system rebalanced with some valve changes.