Where to buy steam radiators in NYC area

stcd

I have some huge old single valve radiators that are overheating my apartment and flaking paint. One contractor I worked with said they're bigger because they used to run on oil heat, but I really have no idea.

I wanted to replace them with something sleeker looking and less obtrusive like this or this. Most of the vendors seem to be overseas.

Can anyone recommend somewhere to order from in the NYC area? The only option I've noticed is Hudson Reed but I see they have mixed reviews, and seem a bit pricey.

clammy

Look into installing a thermostatic radiator valve for a single pipe steam radiator this will give you better temp control and surely cost much less them purchasing and paying for someone to properly install it in steel pipe unless money is no object then move on . Make sure any modern type wall mount is designed for low pressure steam and chk the warranty some are voided when used w steam . It seems most purchase through the internet and seek one to install . Your over heating could also be the effect of other issue like poor or no main venting and leaking radiator vent ,over sized boiler and improper thermostat or sensor location the list goes on and on . Or even possibly just an unknowing tech
Peace and good luck clammy

random12345

Keep your radiators for the moment and find a pro to take a look at your system. Would you be happy with what you have if your apartment wasn't overheated?

Erin Holohan Haskell

@stcd, check out Castrads in NYC.

dko

https://runtalnorthamerica.com/product/charleston-pro/

You can order direct or ask them which supply in NYC stocks them. There are a few.

Spec sheet attached for btu outputs.
I would have the plumber/heating tech do the proper sizing.

stcd

random12345 said:

Keep your radiators for the moment and find a pro to take a look at your system. Would you be happy with what you have if your apartment wasn't overheated?

I'm in a high floor on an apartment and the heat flows up. Most winters I have 2 out of 7 radiators on, the smallest ones. But I see multiple people recommending that a plumber calculate the correct BTUs, that's probably wise.

Steamhead

This guy has some for sale:

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/192497/9-steam-radiators-various-shapes-sizes-northern-nj

mattmia2

You could put blankets or covers over them, if you block the airflow you block the heat. If it is one pipe steam in a large building that is one zone TRVs likely won't work so well. One one pipe steam the TRV can only keep the radiator from heating before the heating cycle starts, it can't stop it once it is already heating so the boiler needs to cycle relatively frequently for a TRV to work.

You can also put very slow vents on the radiators but the rest of the system has to be set up properly for that to be effective.

random12345

I'm not a pro, and it's up to you, but from personal experience replacing radiators is much more expensive and inconvenient than it might first appear. I wouldn't bother calculating the Btus. Unless you buy used rads, this is going to cost you thousands: Unless you are comfortable doing pipe work, you'll need to hire someone, probably a plumber, to disconnect the existing rads, which are probably old and rusty. Then hire a moving or junk company truck and a couple guys to carry the old rads out. Then have the new rads delivered to you in your high floor apartment, then get the plumber back in to connect the new rads, which may not be straightforward. Then maybe you have more problems than you did before because now the new rads may or may not provide enough warmth, so you're turning on your other rads to make up for it, or fiddling with the venting or worse the new rads make little difference, and you're still too warm...If those new rads have been freshly painted, they may stink for months and make your home unlivable. Does your apartment have its own dedicated boiler? Have you tried using a smaller vent on each one? If not, that's what I'd do. All you need is a little PTFE tape and a couple MOM vents with multiple orifices (https://amazon.com/OMIST-0220-5L-Angle-Steam-Valve/dp/B003DV3AGE) or an adjustable Vent-Rite #1. If you've already done all that and you're still too warm, a TRV as @clammy suggested is the next thing I'd try.

JohnNY

stcd said:

One contractor I worked with said they're bigger because they used to run on oil heat, but I really have no idea.

Don't hire this guy to work on your heat. And I second the recommendation for Castrads.com. Ask for Luke.

Mad Dog_2

Cast Rads are Gorgeous.  If you want Cool used ones.....Mikes pipe Yard Boston Post Rd Bronx.  But you'll  wanna sandblast them. MAD dog 🐕