trying to slow radiator heating, smaller vents didn't help.

Todd_33

Hello - I've been trying for some time to balance the heat on 9 unit 2 story apartment building. 2 years ago I hung yolink temperature sensors in each unit so, using my phone app, I can see what the temperature actually is at any give time. There is a pretty wide variation between apartments so I decided to try to adjust one apartment as a trial. I swapped out the dole vents on the 2 main radiators for groton #4s. It's been over night and it doesn't look like the temperature is dropping which makes me think the rads heating rate hasn't been affected.

The 2 radiators are about 50" long, 14" high, 12"wide. Most of the smaller rads on the system are one pipe. These bigger ones look like 2 pipe with the supply valve controlled entering the top of the rad and the return pipe in copper exiting the other side. The condensate is a wet return. So, anyone have thoughts on how to slow the heating of those 2 rads? Thanks

Jamie Hall

If they are truly two pipe, with a return low on one end, then you can partially — or completely — close the supply valve and do no harm. Are these vented at the radiator, or is there a vent somewhere on the return?

Todd_33

Todd_33

I'm not expert but I think it's a 1,2 combo system, the condensate goes to a wet return I think. I just posted some pics.. I'm aware that closing the valve would help, but I'm not sure tenants would consistently do that. I was looking for a way to tamp down the heat. I suggested the tenants put blankets on the rads but that met with limited success.

LRCCBJ

 I suggested the tenants put blankets on the rads but that met with limited success.

That is an excellent suggestion. I am curious if it met with limited success due to the failure of the tenant to do anything that requires a slight bit of effort?

You do not need the tenant to consistently do anything. As you probably know, this is impossible. You set the valve yourself and monitor the temp in the space. If it is still too warm…………you close it a bit more………….repeat as necessary to get the room temperature under control. It is an iterative process and YOU are the one who must do it.

Todd_33

Thanks LRCCBJ - I seem to recall that with the condensate pipe system I can partially open and close the valve to choke off the steam somewhat. I guess that's the way I'll go. Thanks - I was disappointed that the smaller vents didn't help.. I'll push the blanket solution too..

JohnNY

I'm suspicious of that union on the return. Someone put that there in an effort to deviate from what was original. My guess is there was a trap there and no air vent. Is that radiator heating from the return side as well as the supply?
If I'm wrong then leave it and consider installing a small orifice plate in the supply valve's union.

Todd_33

Thanks for the input.. I'm wondering if this originally was one pipe like the rest of the rads but was converted to 2 pipe.. creating problems. There are other indications of that...