Do I have the right TRV?

Coop_Owner

I live in a city co-op 4 story building with 8 units.  A few years ago we had a plumbing company replace our leaky old valves with TRVs.  Our new plumber says we shouldn't have TRVs on this old system. 



What I think is that the previous plumber actually installed the wrong kind of TRV.  They installed them at the base of the radiator where the old on/off valves were.  What it looks like to me is that they should have been installed where the steam release vent is instead.

Rod

Different Systems need Different TRVs

Hi-

You didn't tell us whether you have a one pipe or a two pipe steam system.  (One pipe going to each radiator = a one pipe system.  Two pipes going to each radiator = a two pipe system)  From you description it sounds like you have a one pipe system (?)

On a one pipe system the TRV is attached to the opening where the air vent is normally attached. It is also a specially designed TRV specifically for one pipe systems in that it has to have a vacuum breaker incorporated.

The TRV for a two pipe system is installed on the inlet pipe.

You might want to get an excellent book on steam heating written for home owners called "We Got Steam Heat" 

http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/61/We-Got-Steam-Heat-A-Homeowners-Guide-to-Peaceful-Coexistence

- Rod

Coop_Owner

One-pipe.

Thanks Rod.

Indeed we have a one-pipe system.  It was a costly "upgrade".  I'm not sure what we can do now.  I guess its another costly "upgrade".  I doubt I could successfully get the old plumbers to come back and do it properly.

Charlie from wmass

Right idea wrong valve

TRV's are a great idea you just need the right ones. It is hard to throw good money after bad but the wrong valves can cause bigger problems, like holding condensate up in the rads.