How to Shut a Radiator Off

Rodney Summers

Just took over a 5 story townhouse - prior guy had all types of balancing problems. Seems that system fairly somewhat functional now except for 4 radiators in hallways which put out WAY too much heat. All the valves stuck or turn forever. Without spending $1,500 to drain system and replace these valves, any ideas on how to get them from spewing out so much heat - i.e. should I take a pair of vice grips and turn the stuck valves.

Also, someone said you have to run the boiler at 200+ degrees or I could ruin it. Any truth to that. Why would that be. I thought running it at 170 degrees would be more comfortable and efficient. My system is as follows:

- Hot water system
- Burnham series 5 gas fired boiler - new last year
- Heat timer is for a steam system (epu60-ch), which a lot of the 'old timers' still use for water systems.
- House built in 1890, am told probably with a steam system originally

Any thoughts on how to run this system greatly appreciated.

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david

Big Ed

Old System

Large cast iron radiator system you want to run the system water temperature lower around 120-160 . .

You can drain down the system and leave the unused radiators air bound ...Or you can cover them to prevent them from throwing out heat...

david_28

Old System

Called the manufacturer, Burnham, they said make sure return temp is at least 135 degrees or else you get flu gas condensation, which produces an acid, which corrodes system. Do you think this should be a consideration on temp I run system at - if so would you change your 120-160 recommendation. Thanks.

Big Ed

By-pass

You need a boiler by-pass to temper system(radiation) temperature and maintain a higher boiler temperature.


Also while we are on the subject.You may need a system by-pass to protect the boiler from thermo shock.Check the installation manual for your model..