Will shutting off Steam radiators in unused rooms save money?

Empire_2

Besides what was already mentioned,.....The least amount of insulation is in your interior room....Why leave a cold room, say at 40* and let it infiltrate the other interior of the home?

Just thoughts..:-)

Mike T.

Rebbor

Will Shutting off Steam Radiators in unsed rooms save money?

I am temporarily living on the second floor of a 2 family house that belonged to my relatives until they passed away. If I shut off all of the radiators in the unused apartment, will that save money on the heating bill? Is that bad for the pipes in the downstairs apartment or the heating system?

Rebbor

Will Shutting off Steam Radiators in unsed rooms save money?

I am temporarily living on the second floor of a 2 family house that belonged to my relatives until they passed away. If I shut off all of the radiators in the unused apartment, will that save money on the heating bill? Is that bad for the pipes in the downstairs apartment or the heating system?

Ken_40

The simple answer is \"yes\"

A BTU saved is money saved. If a rad. gets no steam, it consumes no energy. It will NOT however, be a one:one basis, but close enough to warrant doing what you suggest.

Two caveats: Older radiator valves tend not to close completely, unless you crank them very firmly off. Should they weap some steam, those closed rads will become the anvil chorus. Secondly, make sure an oustide wall with water-pipes buried in the wall(s) is NOT in an area you turn off - that may go below freezing in the wall(s)!

Any potential savings would be offset by repairs of frozen pipes.

Last comment, never attempt to adjust a rad's output by leaving the valve part-way open! It's either all the way open; or, all the way closed. To adjust the output of any steam rad, the diameter of the vent orifice is the way to achieve adjustment, NOT the feed valve.

Let us know how you make out.

Chris_82

ditto, I would add new vents they are relativly inexpensive and should be changed anyways.

Alan_11

thermostat location

If you shut off all the heat downstairs and that is where the thermostat is located you may have to open the windows on the second floor to let out the excessive heat.

john_27

also remember that the pipes in the basement are still getting hot.....you've just blocked the flow to the room...you will still be heating those pipes!