Question on setting thermostat with steam boiler...

branimal

I recently bought a 3 family home in Brooklyn and replaced the steam oil boiler with a new steam gas boiler.
Many thanks to this board for helping me navigate the process.

The thermostat is set to 70 during the day and 68 at night. Both myself and the tenant on the 1st floor have most/if not all the valves on our radiators partially or completely turned off and it seems to be warm enough. The 3rd floor is being renovated and the radiator valves are turned off.

The tenant told me he has his valves turned off b/c its too hot. Should we both open our valves all the way and lower the thermostat to achieve an ideal temperature? It seems wasteful to have all the valves closed.

Also which one of Dan Holohan's books do you recommend for a homeowner/DIY'r who wants to understand steam heating better. I'd like to diagnose and fix small radiator issues.

Lost Art of Steam Heating
A Pocketful of Steam Problems
We Got Steam Heat

Thanks

Jamie Hall

one pipe or two? If it's one pipe, always keep the valves (as distinguished from the vents!) open all the way. If it's two, you can partly close valves if one or two spaces are uncomfortable.

But -- it's better to se the thermostat to whatever temperature as shown on the thermostat makes you (and your tenant) comfortable. Numbers mean nothing. Comfort is what counts.

The books -- the last one you list is rather basic, but useful. The other two are more for folks who really want to understand the system -- and are very complete.

Ironman

Is this a one or two pipe system? If it's a one pipe (connected to the radiator), then the valves must be all the way open or completely shut.

You achieve balance in a one pipe system be having proper main and radiator venting. Risers may also have vents that need to function properly.

For a newbie, "We've Got Steam Heat" is the place to start.

branimal

I believe it’s a one pipe system.

Jamie Hall

It is one pipe. OK, so your radiator valves at the inlet need to be all the way open all the time except when you are maintaining something. If some room is too warm, the way to balance it is to put on a slower vent -- but as @Ironman said, there's no future in that unless the mains are properly vented first.

1Matthias

Yep, that's one pipe. What does the main venting look like?

nicholas bonham-carter

Check the settings on the thermostat to make sure it is configured for steam, and not forced air.
Locate the thermostat where it can react properly to the changes of temperature-rising and falling. A Honeywell VisionPro can have a remote sensor placed in the most exposed room in the building.
Keep it at a constant lower temperature for comfort and economy, and keep the valves open, but rotate the air vents upside down in the areas being worked on.—NBC

gfrbrookline

Yes all of the valves need to be turned on but since the 3rd floor is being renovated are the radiators still attached to the risers. If not you shouldn't do anything until all the radiators are online.