radiator size?

Susan S

I don't see this topic posted, so I'll take a chance.

In the book "We Got Steam Heat!" Dan mentions that radiator vent speed should be set according to radiator size -- bigger radiator, faster speed.

I have some questions based on that:

1. How do you figure radiator size? Measure outside dimensions and calculate volume from that? In our house there are some long, low radiators and some tall, short ones, so it isn't easy to tell just by looking which ones are actually bigger.

2. I set vent speed at the beginning of heating season by room temperature vs. thermostat -- ie, put a digital readout thermometer in the room, and tinker with the vent speed until temperature more or less matches the thermostat setting within heating time. Should I reset the vent speeds according to the book rule, or don't fix what ain't broke? The house heats pretty evenly as is.