What Radiators Do I have?

bostonJohn · October 2018

Just bought an old condo unit 2 months ago and now that it's getting colder, I'm wrestling with a steam system that isn't quite up to snuff. I just finished reading The Lost Art, and am trying to fix things before the cold truly sets in. I've turn down the pressuretrol to 0.5 psig (was previously at 12 psig), and am waiting on replacement air valves for the mains to arrive.

Once I've got the mains venting well, I want to replace the radiator air vents (3/4 of which are clogged beyond repair). I'm looking to get a better understanding of my radiators, their "type" (cast-iron column, cast-iron tube, etc.) their capacities (EDR) so that I can size vents relatively closely the first time.

There are 6 radiators (note clicking on pictures will open a new tab with a larger image):

Room	Rad Dimensions	Front Pic	Side Pic
Dining	29"W x 28"H x 4.5"D
Living	38"W x 20"H x 8"D
Bed	39"W x 20"H x 8"D
Bath	9"W x 28"H x 5"D
Office	26"W x 20"H x 6"D
Kitchen	23"W x 22"H x 7"D

Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated!

bostonJohn · October 2018

Hmmm...Well that table didn't format so hot did it? Sorry about that - it looked good in the preview! Hopefully you can still get the idea.

gfrbrookline · October 2018

These links will help you.

https://www.peerlessboilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/COH-1-Pipe-Handouts.pdf

https://www.peerlessboilers.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/OnePipeSteam.pdf

https://heatinghelp.com/assets/documents/Balancing-Steam-Systems-Using-a-Vent-Capacity-Chart-1.pdf

I added the last one because you have cheap radiator vents from HD. You want to install Ventrite No. 1's like you have in your bathroom. All of the other vents are junk and have likely failed already.

Fred · October 2018

You can also order "Every Darn Radiator" book from the store here and it will show you the types of radiators you have, the various sizes and the EDR rating for each.

Dave0176 · October 2018

I use this chart for basically 90% of my radiator sizings.

nicholas bonham-carter · October 2018

How did you know the radiator vents are clogged?
The best starting venting strategy is to maximize the main vents, and use slower radiator vents, which maybe you already have without knowing it. The cheapest from the big box are not useful, so get some Hoffman 40’s for the rads.—NBC

bostonJohn · October 2018

@nicholas bonham-carter I tried cleaning all of the rad vents with vinegar, and none of them got much better. I know they're clogged because I tried blowing through them and some worked and some didn't. The current main vents are VentRite #75's, but I'm 90% sure they're also clogged (and probably haven't been changed in decades from the looks of them). I have 3 B&J Big Mouth vents on their way regardless. Looking to size rad vents appropriately.

@gfrbrookline All of the current rad vents except for the kitchen one are just old VentRite #1's. Thanks for the links, they're very helpful!

@Dave0176 That is a great help! Just what I was looking for. Thank you.

What Radiators Do I have?

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