adjusting air vents

Erik_3

Can anyone explain the general theory on adjusting air vents on steam radiators. I have a one pipe system and remember something about the distance away from the burner will dictate how you adjust the air vents to get even heat across all zones. Don't remember which way the idea goes however?

Daniel_3

Doesn't matter so much on just location from the boiler. The size of the radiator, the size of it's supply piping, and the type of adjustable vent used plays an integral part in deciding how to vent the radiator to evenly balance the entire system. First things first, you must have properly vented mains. When your mains have been vented to the max then you can turn to the adjustments on the radiators.

Use one type of vent if possible. Radiators located just above the boiler may need a smaller capacity vent of a different manufacturer if of a equally similiar edr of other radiators depending on the vents used in the system. This becomes a very subjective test to balance now. You must observe the system over a period of time to determine what radiators you want hot and what not. Basically on the coldest day of the year you want all the radiators to heat up at the same time to full capacity. On warmer days it may not be so. Again, it is very subjective.