Issues in new apartment. Loud hissing/Overheating

NYC12786480 · December 17

Hello. I just bought a new apartment in New York City. It is on the top floor of a 12 Story prewar co-op. It has 4 one-pipe steam radiators and there is a wide steam pipe in the bathroom that has a vent on the top of it.

When the boiler kicks on in the basement, two of the radiators start out operating normally hissing at about 45 db. Then after a few minutes they both get much louder to about 75db and do not stop hissing at 75 db for about ten minutes. One of the rooms gets heated to about 83 degrees with the door closed (it was about 20 outside). The other room heats to about 74, but it is much larger and the radiator is about half the size.

The third radiator hisses quietly at about 45db for a minute or so and then stops and that room heats to around 72 degrees. This one seems to be functioning normally.

I want to mainly get rid of the 75 db hissing and get the room currently heated to 83 down to a reasonable temperature. It seems like there is something wrong with the air vents. I have ordered some new air valves, (Heattimer Vari-Valve, Vari-Vent #1 Adjustable and Groton #4) but have been relying on info from Chat GPT. Should I go about installing these myself? Wanting to check in with some human beings before I begin this process for additional info- I have very limited info on this topic.

dabrakeman · December 17

I would go with slower vents on the overheating / overhissing radiators. What vents do you currently have on them? Not a fan of Vari-Valve vents. Do you mean Ventrite #1 for the second one you bought? IF so that is a very good valve particularly for radiators you want to vent in a slow range. Gorton #4 is also a good slow vent.

ARobertson13 · December 17

First, you mentioned decibels of sound. You must indicate how far away you are from the source or the measurements are meaningless. Second, the size [ Ex: 38"x 8" 6 sections] and type [tube or column] of the radiators is important. Third, you like myself are in a Coop. Removing and replacing vents especially on the top floor is not something I would do without board permission and I am an officer and a board member and in charge of heating systems in my building. If you do not have master venting in your Coop top floor apartment, anything you do can effect those below you.

Big Ed_4 · December 17

Buy a 1/8" NPT tap if need to clean the threads … Throw the blankets on the radiators for heat control .. Better to get too much heat :)

Waher · 2:11AM

Try different air vents. Gorton #4 or Maid O’Mist #4 or Vent-rite #1 to slow the air flow out of the radiators to quiet them and slow heating or overheating.

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Gorton-G4A-Gorton-No4-Angle-Vapor-Equalizing-Valve-3525000-p

https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-Maid-O-Mist-J4-4-1-8-Angle-Air-Valve-3564000-p
https://www.supplyhouse.com/Jacobus-Maid-O-Mist-J4-4-1-8-Angle-Air-Valve-3564000-p
If that doesn’t help you could try installing thermostatic radiator valves (TRV):
https://www.castrads.com/us/product/windsor-1ps-trv/

The pressure limit (pressuretrol) may be set above 1.5psi which unless management changes you can’t do anything about.

Heat pipe in the bath can be insulated to reduce the output.

https://buyinsulationproductstore.com/Fiberglass-Pipe-Insulation-SSL-ASJ/

Cover the insulation with a PVC jacket to protect it from moisture and damage.

https://www.buyinsulationproductstore.com/pvc-cut-and-curl-jacketing-w-ssl-3ft/

dabrakeman · 4:17PM

What feedback from management do you have on your issue?

NYC12786480 · 4:35PM

https://forum.heatinghelp.com/discussion/comment/1877929#Comment_1877929

Super was responsive & re-tilted one of the radiators and is getting three air vents replaced. I shut the too hot radiator off and after 24 hours ambient room temp was 72 F the morning after outdoor temps hitting 32 last night, so I don't see a point in adding heat to that room. He confirmed shutting off the radiator was fine and no risk of pipes freezing. Thanks to all for the input.

Issues in new apartment. Loud hissing/Overheating

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