Radiator Air Vents

Jay_11

I have asked the steam boiler contractor to replace all the airvents on my radiators. He says he plans to use Hoffman air vents. Are these good vents? I have heard of Danforth and Gortons but not Hoffman. Is one better than the others?

Al Letellier

air vents

Most radiator vents have a built-in cycle rate and usually will give 3-5 years of service. Prices are all over the place and vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Hoffman is a well known and respected manufacturer in the steam industry. If that is the bradn your contractor is happy with and you trust him, go for it.

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Jay_11

Thanks for the info.

Steamhead

Jay, also make sure

your steam man installs properly-sized air vents on the steam mains. If there are no vents there now, have him put them in. This will save you a lot of fuel, and increase the life of the radiator vants.

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Jay_11

Unfortunately, it's a completely finished basement and so there's no way to tell where the existing main vents are, if they are plugged up, if they still work etc. I asked him if it would be worthwhile to dig a couple of holes in the walls and ceilings to locate the dry returns and add a main vent without locating the existing ones, but he didn't think that was a good idea.

Dean_7

main vents

As a homeowner who replaced the main vents on my system last year and saved quite a bit in fuel costs I would suggest finding those vents and putting an access panel in.

Jay_11

Yeah but...

I'd love to be able to do that but how do I find the main vents without ripping out all the walls of my basement?

Dean_7

vents

OK think about this, the pipes have to leave the boiler don't they? Usually they go up (mine do) and into a header. The steam mains take off from the header unless the boiler is totally enclosed by drywall you should be able to determine the directions of the header and the mains. Some measuring should give you a rough idea. Also you are probably going to have to cut some holes to look through

Sean_5

Radiator Air Vents

Thanks for your good information. I'm searching for replacement air vents myself and not working with a contractor (not a lot in my area versed in old houses). I've found Hoffman 1A adjustable vents, a Varivalve adjustable, Dole types and an Armstrong SV-12. I'm probably going to order on-line and would appreciate any guidance before I spend the $$$. Also, I don't know if my system needs "proportional venting" or not. Thank you.

Thad English

steam vents for your rads

I am a homeowner like you who had did not know what to get for my radiator steam vents. Last season I was fortunate enough to be guided (by folks on this website) to gorton-valves.com. Go there. All the info that I needed to make the right choice was on the website. I was told that if I needed more help to call Ken Kunz at Gorton. I did and he helped me out immensely. AND got me the steam vents in 2 days.

Unknown

Good advice

Gorton can take care of you.

Noel