Steam Air Vent

Manny_PGH

Waiting for the Steamy Deal to come in the mail, so the answer may already be there. However, in looking to replace some air vents on the radiators, the only ones carried by the 2 hardware stores near me are:



<span style="color:#000000"><span style="text-decoration:underline;"><a href="http://www.doitbest.com/Main.aspx?Pageid=365&N=4294963622&Ne=2">Watts Water Tech</a></span></span>











Steam

Air Vent

Adjustable steam air vent. Nonvacuum float type

steam air vents are designed to vent air on nonvacuum steam heating

systems. Use on radiators, convectors and steam mains. Adjustable air

vent for proportional venting to steam heating systems.





They run about $12 each. Are these OK to use or should I order Hoffmans online - some of the radiators have Hoffman 1As in them, there lokks to be 4 different kinds of air vent across the 12 radiators..

Big-Al_2

I've Got 'Em

When I moved into my house in 2007, I bought all new Watts vents like those . . . made in Taiwan.  They have been reliable, and I still have them on a two radiators, in the dining room and one bathroom.  I have two complaints:



1) They close with a clinking/clanking sound.  I'm a light sleeper and that clank was enough to wake me up.  (I've used Hoffman 40's too.  They clank, but not as loudly. . . . more of a plink than a clank)



2) When the system goes into vacuum at the end of a cycle, the Watts vents can really whistle if they're set wide-open.  I wound up cutting 1/2" long loose fitting collars out of copper tubing and putting then over the protrusion at the top to disrupt the airflow and act as a muffler.



Now my personal preference is for Maid-O-Mist vents in #5 or #6.  They are much quieter when venting or relieving vacuum, and they close gradually, with no clank. If you need a faster vent, the orifice caps on these vents can be removed and drilled out a size too. They're made in Chicago.  Some online suppliers have them.  I've also been able to get them through eBay for just over ten bucks apiece with shipping . . . when I shopped right.  One supplier on eBay actually has a fairly attractive price right now. I'm tempted to buy a couple of spares myself.



I've also tried Gortons, and VariValves.  The Gortons are nice, much like the Maid-O-Mist ones, except without removable orifices. Some say they are built a little better internally.  The VariValves are really fast, but they don't drain condensate so well, and can spit at the start of the cycle, even on a properly pitched radiator.





YMMV

crash2009

Venting magic

If you are going to go through the process of changing the vents you likely should know what the specifications are, of the vents that you have.  There is a very informative booklet you should get before you start.  The 5 bucks goes to charity.  You should also check the venting of your mains, they are equally important.

http://www.heatinghelp.com/products/Books/5/146/Balancing-Steam-Systems-Using-a-Vent-Capacity-Chart-by-Gerry-Gill-and-Steve-Pajek