Vent or Not to Vent? That is the question.

Jay Zebryk

Merry Christmas All!

I have (8) Heat-Timer Varivalves set wide open on all my 1st floor radiators. Is there any benefit in venting the mains which feed these? (Each about 50 feet total.) I bought (2) Gorton #2's just for that purpose, but am now wondering if they are even needed?

gerry gill

I'd of done it

the other way, and massively vented the mains..and not used such a big vent on the rads..but if its working for you then there is the point where i'd say leave well enough alone.

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Steamhead (in transit)

Vent your mains

The Gortons will get the air out of the mains quickly. Then the steam will rise into each radiator at about the same time, and you can use your Vari-valves to fine-tune this part.

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Jay Zebryk

Fast Venting

I should have mentioned I've now got a new Utica gas boiler which makes steam in minutes. With all the Varivalves wide open, the air in the mains and in the rads, rushes out like mad, then steam follows right behind.

It's a little noisy hearing the rads puff, then huff (deeply inhale) when the boiler fires up and fires down.

Perhaps the main benefit with the Gorton #2's is this "racket" (which I kinda like) would now be in the basement?

Steamhead (in transit)

The startup noise

is likely caused by steam rushing up the runouts and risers to the rads, and the condensate having trouble getting back down against the steam. In more extreme cases this can cause banging.

Get rid of the air in the basement, with the Gortons, then turn down the VariValves, and the system will be eerily quiet as a steam system should be.

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Jay Zebryk

I'll try that next week...

and give a report back.

Thanks and Merry Christmas!