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Radiator producing less heat

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am1408
am1408 Member Posts: 1
in Strictly Steam
My steam radiator is not putting out as much heat as it did one year ago. I am on the top (5th) floor of an older building. Service tech. came out this morning; building's boiler seems to be working fine, as does my radiator (new last year) and steam vent. The valve is fully open. The radiator does heat up, but the apartment is about 65 degrees; it was almost ten degrees warmer a year ago.

I'm trying to figure out why there is significantly less heat this year. A previous owner had used expanding foam insulation to cap the pipe years ago; I was told that the insulation had been completely removed before the current radiator was installed and had no issues with the heat/radiator last year.

What could be the problem? I have had a plumber and a boiler specialist out to look at this, and neither one seemed able to diagnose the problem.

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  • BobC
    BobC Member Posts: 5,478
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    It has been very cold for the last 10 days, maybe that radiator is smaller than it should be. What kind of vent is on the radiator and how long does it take to warm up fully?

    Maybe they need a vent with a larger orifice on it. Put a level on it to make sure there is some slope back to the input pipe. Has anybody else in the building had a similar complaint?

    Bob
    Smith G8-3 with EZ Gas @ 90,000 BTU, Single pipe steam
    Vaporstat with a 12oz cut-out and 4oz cut-in
    3PSI gauge
  • mikeg2015
    mikeg2015 Member Posts: 1,194
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    Radiator output increases with cooler ambient temps. Most radiators at on an outside wall. So if the boiler is sized correctly I’m normally conditions, it may end slightly undersized for very cold weather.

    The issue therefore could be more about balance.

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