Inconsistent heat across brownstone floors -- how to address?

Hi Brownstoners, We’re the owners of a brownstone in Cobble Hill, and live on the lower duplex. Our thermostat is set to btw, 72 and 73 degrees. While the ower duplex is very warm, the second floor is barely warm and the top floor is chilly. Any tips on how to address this? (Or who can address this?) Thanks!

desperatelyseekingbrownstone

in Boiler Repair 13 years and 3 months ago

7

Please log in, in order to post replies!

7 replies

Newest Oldest

northofditmas | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4895 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4883 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "41958"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(13) "northofditmas"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(13) "northofditmas"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(21) "olgierd@babypanda.org"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(31) "/forums/users/limestone_cowboy/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 13:51:20"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(13) "northofditmas"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(41958)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

If digital, find the manual to the thermostat online.  Set the cycle time to 20 or 30 minutes instead of 8 or 15.  You need the system to run for longer at a time so the heat can reach the top.

stevecym | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4894 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4893 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "21525"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "stevecymbalsky@yahoo.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "/forums/users/thetinkerswagon/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:05:31"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(20) "xLyD4JX1CSeJzFu7zs4j"
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "stevecym"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(21525)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

if this is steam, try larger vents on the radiators in the colder areas and smaller vents on the rads in the warmer areas.

eman134 | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4890 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4896 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "177006"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BaRrlDjFBcYAeDJ9.lwOTJ9pQC9nsT."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(23) "errol832000@hotmail.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(29) "http:///forums/users/eman134/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:25:55"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(7) "eman134"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(177006)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

steam or hot water heat?

Master Plvmber | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4895 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#4897 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(4) "1447"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BSHLZQSJWUzjnaSv9fyWJpNYjwcz.u."
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(24) "info@gatewayplumbing.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(30) "http://www.GatewayPlumbing.com"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2007-08-10 20:40:53"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(14) "Master Plvmber"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(1447)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Not all radiators are sized to be hot all the time and I’ve never seen a radiator clog in all my ~30 years of doing heating work. Uneven heating in steam systems is often corrected by proper venting and setting system pressure to the right value. For hot water systems, it tends to be radiator size and water flow rate. But the most common problem in both systems is not having the boiler sized to match the system. This statement “not all of the radiators are sized appropriate for their spot in the line” is either misunderstood paraphrasing or just plain bad advice.

kidbklyn | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4894 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5113 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(5) "12959"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BALKN6lQMZUcIMychkXehk8I4wSPr01"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(15) "bkny648@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(23) "/forums/users/kidbklyn/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:16:51"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(8) "kidbklyn"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(12959)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

Check the forum’s achieve for flat roof insulation( look for it on the upper right hand side of the page). There are plenty of posting about this issue in it.

Goatcrapp | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4890 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5114 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "108904"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Goatcrapp"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBIwBZIbwf8MzD0m6gSVz3ZtnIqVUW0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "goatcrapp"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "goatcrapp@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/goatcrapp/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:33:02"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Goatcrapp"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(108904)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

** by unlikely, i mean usually unsuspected, and thus un-checked.

Goatcrapp | 13 years and 3 months ago

string(1) "1"
object(WP_User)#4895 (8) {
  ["data"]=>
  object(stdClass)#5116 (12) {
    ["ID"]=>
    string(6) "108904"
    ["user_login"]=>
    string(9) "Goatcrapp"
    ["user_pass"]=>
    string(34) "$P$BBIwBZIbwf8MzD0m6gSVz3ZtnIqVUW0"
    ["user_nicename"]=>
    string(9) "goatcrapp"
    ["user_email"]=>
    string(17) "goatcrapp@aol.com"
    ["user_url"]=>
    string(24) "/forums/users/goatcrapp/"
    ["user_registered"]=>
    string(19) "2017-08-10 14:33:02"
    ["user_activation_key"]=>
    string(0) ""
    ["user_status"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["display_name"]=>
    string(9) "Goatcrapp"
    ["spam"]=>
    string(1) "0"
    ["deleted"]=>
    string(1) "0"
  }
  ["ID"]=>
  int(108904)
  ["caps"]=>
  array(2) {
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["cap_key"]=>
  string(15) "wp_capabilities"
  ["roles"]=>
  array(2) {
    [0]=>
    string(10) "subscriber"
    [1]=>
    string(15) "bbp_participant"
  }
  ["allcaps"]=>
  array(4) {
    ["read"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["level_0"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["subscriber"]=>
    bool(true)
    ["bbp_participant"]=>
    bool(true)
  }
  ["filter"]=>
  NULL
  ["site_id":"WP_User":private]=>
  int(1)
}

I have the opposite problem – the owner’s duplex is chillier because of an open bottom extension that wasn’t sealed or insulated up to modern standards – i’ll address that in the warmer weather.  Fur us our middle floor tenants are at the perfect tempurature when our t-stat is set to 70\. At 70 – we’re a bit cold, but any higher and the tenants boil. Our top floor tenant is too warm even at 70 (his apartment reads 74-76 frequently) and continually turns off one or more of his radiators, which creates banging in other pipes.  All of this i will remedy, but after having a heating expert come out he pointed out how not all of the radiators are sized appropriate for their spot in the line. Even though we have opposite problems, some of the remedies i checked for include:  making sure the radiators (all of them) are heating evenly.  If after 20 minutes or so of “heating” if you still have a cold spot on the side opposite the feed pipe, then that radiator has a bit of a clog, or is too large for it’s location in the series. (let a pro tell you the latter, don’t just assume) Also -= identify drafts.  Some unlikely culprits – roof hatches; hallway windows if you haven’t upgraded them to double pane..   the apartment windowsx themselves, if they are still single pane;  drafty openings in front doors; poor seals around windows and doors due to crumbling brick mortar; top floor sky lights if you have them; air leaks caused by non-squared windows (house settling is still happening a hundred years later, and it’s not uncommon to have a window go slightly out of square so while it closes, it’s not perfect) As to how to address these, there is a wide variety of options, some DIY, some not, but it’s best to identify whether it’s uneven heating causing the problem (an hvac issue) or uneven loss of heat (house maintenance issue)