Turning Off Radiators w/One Pipe Steam

Julian Francis

I have a one pipe steam system in my 130 year old non-insulated Victorian home. It's a gas-fired boiler. I have 16 cast iron radiators throughout my 3,600 SF+ home (13 of which are the original 1879 radiators). I have all radiators on, except one (which is a second radiator in the room where my thermostat is).

I live in PA and my heating costs are killing me (and I keep my thermostat at 68 during peak hours and 60 overnight - so we're not talking the tropics here).

I read that I should keep all of my radiators on for the system to operate at its best, but am looking for feedback on whether that's the best move. I'm debating turning off four additional radiators in rooms that rarely get used.

Thanks in advance for your help!

Big Ed

Radiator Shut off

On a one pipe steam to shut down a radiator don't shut the supply valve ,shut the vent....Replacing the vent with a plug,Float type vents can be turned upside down or installing a TRV control thermostat between the radiator and vent..

Jeff_43

Why Not?

Why can't the supply valve be closed?

Pete_18

Main vents / good rad vents?

Do you have good Main vents (appropriate Gortons) and good radiator vents (preferably Gortons?) If not, this could make a significant difference in how long it takes for your radiators to heat up and could cut your heating costs.

Are your basement mains insulated?

Julian Francis

Plug or Supply Line?

Thanks for your comments.

I've never heard of replacing the vent with a plug. That makes sense though.

What's wrong with shutting off the supply line? Will that cause trouble in the system?

And yes, my mains are insulated and I just purchased some new vents.

Bob W._3

My understanding is that angle valves, like gate valves, get brittle over time and may break if not maintained, so it is better to just shut off the air vent. Some people just turn the vent downwards; that may do it. Or you could plug it as suggested. If no air can get out of the rad, no steam can get in. In fact, the riser to that rad won't even heat unless there is a leak in the valve or at a threaded connection.

Greg_34

Deja Vu

I'm in New Haven, CT and have recently bought a big, uninsulated house with one-pipe steam. 16 Radiators, oil-boiler, two mains. At the early part of the heating season (october/november) I didn't know what to expect, actually, i was completely ignorant with zero plumbing experience.

Once my boiler started, one room was super hot, the upstairs heated well on one half of the house, and the thermostat didn't get satisfied for long periods so it kept burning the fuel. I was confused, but knew there was something I could do.

So...heating help to the rescue. I read through all the info here on one-pipe and steam heat in general, and after posting some questions got amazing results and feedback. I put new vents on all radiators except 2. I also bought 5 main vents, and using some black pipe which I bought off the shelf at home depot was able to put 3 gorton main vents at the end of the long main, and 2 at the end of the short. I was also able to lower my presuretrol cut in and cut out to run at around 8 ounces of pressure.

Result: Both mains heat perfectly even. It was unbelievable. All radiators were 100% hot, within about 30 mins of the boiler firing, whereas prior to changing the mains and the rad vents it would take about 1.5 hours for any heat to get to rads on the long main, and one in the kitchen (furthest) NEVER got warm, while the room closest to the boiler on the 1st floor was chokingly hot.

Since it sounds like you are in the same boat as me, I would suggest doing what i did. post some info about the size and length of your mains, a couple pictures perhaps...seems like folks around this site like pictures, they're good for comparison and like the old adage..tell a thousand words.

I also bought Dan's "we got steam heat" and learned a bunch more from that. Enjoyable read too. I'm sure that doing these few simple things saved me at least 40% in fuel, probably more. Plus, I'm comfortable in EVERY room.

Thanks again to all the help from folks on the site.
Cheers,
Greg

Big Ed

Condensate Build up

Steam could pass the valve seat but get trapped as condensate .