Insulating radiator pipes

Brad White_184

I suspect that your remote radiators are not getting warm due to inadequate venting. Ideally, all steam radiators (hot water for that matter!) should come to temperature all at the same time.

(The notion of waiting for the furthest radiator to become warm when the ones closer to the thermostat are blazing is a contradiction in function, you may agree.)

I would start with venting then move on to insulation. I presume that because you say the branch piping is bare that means that the mains are insulated. Is that correct? If so, the contribution or detriment of a few bare pipes is not so much a concern. Insulate them, sure, but focus on venting first.

Have you bought a copy of Dan's book "We Got Steam Heat!"?

There is much in there which can help you, so many contributing factors all of which work together. Your operating pressure, venting, near-boiler piping, insulation, pitch of pipes and radiators, how the Patriots are doing... I made that last one up. You will not find it in the book...

Go to the Online Store and get a copy. You will be glad you did, your increased understanding being the least of the reasons and a good one right there!

tastye

Insulating radiator pipes

I have a one pipe steam radiator system. The pipes that lead to my radiators are not insulated. They are exposed in the finished part of my basement and are the primary source of heat down there. There is only one large radiator on the wall in the kitchen. For the upstairs portion of the house, the radiators farthest away from the boiler just don't get that warm My question is, if I insulate the pipes will they still produce enough heat to keep the basement warm? I'd love to have a more efficient system.