Need help with my steam radiators...

shstallings

Hopefully someone can give me some advice about our heating dilemma:

We have a 100 year old house in Massachusetts, which we purchased 2-1/2 years ago. Heat is through steam radiators and a gas boiler. There was a problem with the boiler that necessitated replacing it (long story short my hubby didn't tighten one of the radiator nuts and all the steam escaped from the boiler), so needless to say we have a brand new boiler. The house is about 1,800 sq feet, with 4 bedrooms on the 2nd level. It has a walk-up attic that is 1/2 insulated. All rooms except the kitchen have the old-fashioned coil style radiators for heat, except the bathroom which has a floorboard style. When we moved in, my Dad replaced the steam valves on all the radiators. The foyer has a fireplace, but the damper needs to be replaced so it is not functional. It is sealed to keep cold air out and warm air in. The 1st floor has replacement windows, while the 2nd floor still has the old metal framed windows - we wrap the windows with plastic shrink wrap. The house has blown in insulation. I attached a BASIC sketch of the floor plan for a better idea of the layout.

So the problem is we have a horrible heat flow in the house. To make the 1st floor living area comfortable, the upstairs is like a sauna. the radiator valves are shut off to 3 of 5 radiators on the 2nd floor to keep the temp regulated. The thermostat is in the Living Room on the 1st level. At night it is set at 62; during the day - 66. So by no way are we wasteful of the energy - our monthly gas bills were $300 and up last year. We have added doors to the doorways from the Living Room and Dining Room to the Foyer to try to keep the heat from escaping - but either way it seems to all get sucked right up the stairway. Last year we even encased the stairway floor to ceiling in sheets to keep the warm air downstairs, but it wasn't very practical.

So - we don't know what to do...should we run the boiler at a constant temp instead of the up and down from 62 - 66. Would it help to install a fan at the top of the stairs to keep the heat down???

I'm sorry to give such detailed info but I'd appreciate any help in how to keep the house more comfortable and energy efficient.

Thank you,

Sarah

ed wallace

need help with radiators

sounds like you need thermostatic radiator valves look up a pro under find a pro

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