Thermostatically Actuated Steam Airvents

C. Wittmann

C. Wittmann

Steam System Balancing

I live in a steam heated apartment building. In an attempt to balance the system, the landlord installed a five zone Argo relay system with thermostats in each apartment. In the system there is no means of mechanically zoning the systems with valves. So when there is a call for heat from any t-stat, heat is delivered to all radiators, thus making some apartments unbearably hot. On each of the radiators throughout the building there are air vents that can be modulated by the apartment occupant with the mere turn of a dial. This requires a persons continued physical presents at all times, which is not ppossible.

In order to maintain 24 hour balance of the system, it was my thought to install thermostatically actuated vent valves in order to not require a constant babysitting of the heat system by each apartment tennant. Is this a good idea and is such a vent available?

C. Wittmann

Steam System Balancing

I live in a steam heated apartment building. In an attempt to balance the system, the landlord installed a five zone Argo relay system with thermostats in each apartment. In the system there is no means of mechanically zoning the systems with valves. So when there is a call for heat from any t-stat, heat is delivered to all radiators, thus making some apartments unbearably hot. On each of the radiators throughout the building there are air vents that can be modulated by the apartment occupant with the mere turn of a dial (See Attachment). This requires a persons continued physical presents at all times, which is not ppossible.

In order to maintain 24 hour balance of the system, it was my thought to install thermostatically actuated vent valves in order to not require a constant babysitting of the heat system by each apartment tennant. Is this a good idea and is such a vent available?

Mike T., Swampeast MO

Am 99.9% certain that is a thermostatically operated proportional vent...

C. Wittmann

Who might manufacture them and how will I get access to them?

DWood

It looks

you have a thermostatic one pipe steam valve with a vacuum breaker and vent. Is the radiation fed with only one pipe? Several manufacturers make a one pipe steam valve, Danfoss being one and they are available from your local wholesaler.
Good luck,
DWood

Bob W._3

Check out all these brands, for example:

http://www.statesupply.com/displayCategory.do?cuid=FP_VC_Therm_Rad_Valves

However, you must be sure you get the right ones for your system. For one pipe there are three parts making up a complete TRV, the valve, controller and vent.

Barbarossa

Not a panacia


The only way the described vent or a Danfoss can work in a one pipe system is for the unit to shut off periodically and let air in so the Radiator is air blocked by the closed vent. If the system stays on after the heat up, the Radiator is now filled with condensing steam that pulls a vacuum and sucks more steam into the radiator even with the vent shut. This condition will not cut back on the heat rejected to the room and you will still overheat that area. The system must cycle, suck air in to the radiator then shut off the vent if satisfied. Even with air trapped in the Radiator it will eventually heat all the way across as the air gets scrubbed out into the return. In short: no cycle, no good.

RonWHC

Methinks the

problem is w/ the actuator pictured. The thermostat is located in the actuator & closes prematurely due to its proximity to the baseboard. Actuators are available w/ a capillary tube & sensor that can be located up to 6' from the baseboard. Find out whose TRV that is & let your computer do the walking.

Robert O'Connor_3

macon opsk

the photo is a macon opsk. note the vacuum breaker. the website explains how they function www.maconcontrols.com i suggest you keep the pressure to less than 2 psi, cycle the system and straighten out the unit shown. aadd a mtwz , remote sensor, if you prefer for remote sensing. regards, tp