radiators in october only heat some of the time?

Plumbob

Yes, of course radiators heat only some of the time. The heat goes on and off, just like forced air systems do! (The exception is if you have hot water heat and a well-tuned outdoor reset.)

If you have steam heat, which is quite likely in an NYC apartment, fluctuations are particularly noticeable in spring/fall, because steam is intrinsically hot and so you will get short bursts of high heat followed by long pauses during which the rooms cool down. Steady, even heat is difficult to achieve with steam in mild weather.

h-r

radiators in october only heat some of the time?

I just recently moved to NYC, i grew up with forced air for all heating and cooling. anyways, im wondering if all radiators in october are only on part of the time or if mine is malfunctioning... any ideas?

Fred Harwood

Rad heating

What kind of heat? Steam, hot water? If steam, get Dan's "Lost Art of Steam Heating" from this site. Best information available, worth every penny.

chuck_6

H-R:

You may want to have a pro take a look, some may be pitched the wrong way. I'm a homeowner as well, and we have 1-pipe steam with radiators. You want to make sure that all of the vents on the radiators are working. Go with Gorton vents if you need to replace. They have a website and Ken at Gorton is terrific. When checking the vents, you want to make sure the room with the thermostat has a small opening (Gorton 4 or 5) and upstairs rooms have a larger opening (Gorton C or D). You also want to make sure the main vents (in your basement) are vented as well and the heating pipes have fiberglass insulation. Also, make sure your attic is properly heated. This sounds like a lot, but new vents and insulation are relatively inexpensive and the payback time can be quick, especially with high heating costs.

Mike T., Swampeast MO

And by the way. From what I've heard about NYC steam heated apartments, if you're not having to use your windows as your "heat regulator" count yourself among the lucky!

Plumbob

h-r

what do you mean... using windows as your heat regulator, can you please elaborate on this

ScottMP

Its called the

double hung thermostat

In alot of apts. some one else controls the heat. Some apts. have the heat on ALL the time, some don't have any.

The ones who get over heated .. open and close the window to control the temperature in the Apt.

Sad but true

Scott

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

will smith_2

The boiler could also be controlled with a time clock, which could account for the down time.

Plumbob

I wonder if one can get a motorized, thermostatically controlled, double-hung-window opener/closer. Maybe there's a market for something like that!

When I lived in an apartment like that (not in NYC), of course heat was included, so we never cared about conservation. looking back on those days, i am embarrassed that we let so much heat out the window, but there was really no choice. The apartment building owner didn't care either. One advantage: loads o' fresh air, unlike how we live today.

Fredric Goldner

h-r,

First off, if you're talking about a NYC apt. bldg then the law (housing maintenance code) states that (during the heating season, Oct. 1- May 31) between 6am & 10pm when it is 55oF or below outside the bldg must be 68oF inside. Between 10pm and 6am when it is 40oF or below outside the bldg must be 55oF inside. Hence the heating system only comes on to (attempt to) meet these conditions. In fact, on all but the very coldest days of the year a steam radiator will cycle between hot and cool.

As far as control goes, you don't have alot of control in most buildings, you do however (almost) always have the option of closing the on/off valve if it gets too hot. (Yes, I know this is more work than most folks are willing to put in, but I did it when I lived in an overheated building.) Note that, particularly in a 1-pipe heating system, the valve needs to be fully open or fully closed, (part way causes banging and other problems).

Lastly, if you are a tenant/cooperator or homeowner I'd suggest Dan's "We've Got Steam Heat" book rather than "The Lost Art of Steam Heating"; (the later is terrific, but written for a more technical audience.)

Hope this adds to your understanding.

Fred