Steam radiator vent valve

zoulas

Is there any recommendation for valve replacement? There are $ 6 ones on Ebay, are these any good? Are the adjustable ones a gimmick? Or stick with the traditional Hoffman style #40? Should these proactively get replaced or wait until they fail? Thanks very much.

Fred

If the current vents open and close properly, you don't need to replace them. The $6.00 vents are typically junk and/or Chinese made and are not reliable.
The adjustable vents are very good if you need the ability to adjust them to balance your radiators. The Vent-Rite #1 and the Hoffman #1A are good ones but the Hoffmans do click when they open and close. Maid-O-Mist with different orifices are ok too.

Do you have good main Vents on your system?

nicholas bonham-carter

Perhaps, if you tell us about any system problems, we can be more helpful.
Having good main vents on the system is more important to concentrate on now.—NBC