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3 unit building, one steam system

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BostonLandlord
BostonLandlord Member Posts: 2
in Strictly Steam
Hello,



I have a three family apartment building, heated by 1-pipe steam. Just one heating system for the whole apartment. I have a "landlordstat" which limits the heating setpoint to 71 degrees. Thermostat is located on 2nd floor, inside the apartment.



Problem is the 1st floor unit is cool...not cold, but in the 65 degree range when the other units are 70. Is this just a case of heat rising? Any suggestions to even out the heat so that all floors are right about 70?



Thanks in advance

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  • ALIGA
    ALIGA Member Posts: 194
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    radiators

    are the radiators in the first apartment the same size as the ones in the other apartments, are the apartments of similar size?
  • BostonLandlord
    BostonLandlord Member Posts: 2
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    yes...

    Yes, all units are same layout with same size radiators in same locations.
  • Ironman
    Ironman Member Posts: 7,377
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    Any...

    Rads that can be closed off (completely) on the upper floors? You don't want to partially close the radiator valve on a one pipe system as that will cause condensate to be trapped in the rad.



    The other thing would be venting. Use smaller vents on the upper floors that will cause their rads to heat up slower. Depending upon how the mains and take offs are piped, a larger main vent may also allow steam to reach the lower floor more quickly.
    Bob Boan
    You can choose to do what you want, but you cannot choose the consequences.
  • nicholas bonham-carter
    nicholas bonham-carter Member Posts: 8,578
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    Landlordstat?

    Can you post the details on the Landlordstat, as steam systems react to different thermostats in different ways-good and bad. A better choice would be a Honeywell Visionpro thermostat with remote sensor in the cooler part of the top floor. Thus the control unit could be under lock and key accessible only to you.

    Definitely, check your main vents, which are probably near the boiler, on the return. For economy, you want maximum main venting, and slower radiator venting, except on the top floor (if they are slower to heat). The goal is to have steam arrive at all radiators on the top floor simultaneously. A low pressure gauge (0-3 PSI) will tell you when you have enough main venting, or if you are paying for extra fuel to squeeeeeze the air out of constipated undersized/inoperative main vents.

    These 1-pipe systems can be quiet and economical if properly maintained at ounces of pressure.--NBC
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