HELP! I'm a new renter with radiators and I have no clue!

D Cable

Hello! I am a new renter in an old brick rowhouse, somewhere near 100 yrs old (we think). We have radiators and I have NO CLUE how to use them. Here's what I do know: I have a gas lline that comes into the basement and heats the water that goes into the radiator. Here's what I don;t know: 1. the first thing about a radiator 2. is it steam or water? what do I know? 3. i have a wall thermostat (one on the main floor in a 4 floor rowhouse)and do I use it with radiators? I don't get how it helps???? 4. A friend of mine said something about bleeding the lines.....whaaaaaaaaat?????? 5. How do I turn my heat on? 6. And finally, will I be warm!!?? :-) I'm waiting for the rental management people to return my call but nothing yet, and I'm COLD!!! Any help from you experts would be MOST APPRECIATED!!!! Thanks SOOOOOOOO Much!!! Denise

Geno_15

help

is on the way, make sure the switches are on, they are just like light switches, there is usually one at the top of the cellar stairs and one at the unit, turn you thermostat up above room temp a few degrees, turning it all the way up does not make it go faster, if you have hot water there will be vents at the top of radiators on one side or the other, they take a special key you can get at the hardware store, to bleed them take a soup can or similar device and put it under the vent, Slowly open the vent, if air comes out bleed until water does, do not take the vent out or unscrew it all the way unless you want a bath, if they don't have vents or the vents are low on the side you have steam, other than that I can't help you over the internet. It sounds like you need your landlord or contractor, quite often the gas is turned off when tenants move so you don't pay their bill, did they mention this? Call the gas co. and give them your adress to see. Hope this helps.

Geno

scott75

I have seen some hot water rads that were converted to steam so the air valve on these rads are still on top instead of half way down on the side. If the rad only has one pipe attached to the bottom it is steam. If it has two it is most likely hot water but could be two pipe steam.

will smith_2

!

will smith_2

If you want to get the heat fired up, go into the basement and just start flipping switches and turning knobs/pressing red buttons. If you want heat and like sleeping soundly knowing the boiler system is firing safely with no danger of launching itself through your home-get a service tech out there. There are too many tragic stories each year regarding heating systems causing deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning, fire, and expolsions-we don't want to hear about you in the news!