Steam radiators are hot upstairs & cold downstairs,WHY?

Jim_21

Frustrating??!! Can anyone PLEASE tell me why my upstairs steam radiators get hot completely and my downstairs radiators where the thermostat is, barely get warm? I have all new gorton vents in em,and I hear them venting. I put two #1's on the two mains in the basement as recomended.
The burner appears to run short but frequent cycles.
When I first fired the system up the beginning of the season
it seemed to work perfect!!??

[Deleted User]

but is the system balanced?

do the smaller radiators have smaller air vents, and the larger radiators larger air vents?

Steamhead

Try

using larger vents in the slow radiators.

To Learn More About This Professional, Click Here to Visit Their Ad in "Find A Contractor"

J.C.A._3

Or.....

Is there a programmable thermostat that is still setup for forced warm air?(it IS the factory setting for most)This will cycle the burner about 4-6 times per hour, where a Gravity hot water setting wil cycle far less frequently, for longer periods.Probably the most found mistake on a new T-stat install IMO.

Next would be adjustable vents for the emitters. Let the 1st floor go a bit faster than the second floor, and adjust accordingly to get the proper "balance". Let the pigeons fly on the mains and fine tune at the radiators. This is most definately more art than science, and it takes quite a while to get it tuned in to every particular home.
Good luck and let us know how you make out on this. Chris