smugbox t1_irky00q wrote
I am STILL hearing conflicting info on this though. Some people say it’s fine to close it, just not fine to close it part of the way.
Last year I was getting nosebleeds from the 17% humidity we had with the heat on and windows open. My super was just like “shut the radiator off, no big deal” so that’s what we did. No water hammer.
123456abc__ t1_irlj0n6 wrote
Open or closed is fine. Low pressure steam systems don’t care. Just not halfway.
emeyer94 OP t1_irkzrnp wrote
Dry air is definitely a problem. I have an old towel I soak in water and layover the radiator before bed.
smugbox t1_irl06m5 wrote
None of that works on a cold day with the windows open though. We have a humidifier, but it’s pointless if you can’t seal up the room
Bertie_Woo t1_irnjlrd wrote
I second both these suggestions.
b0xtarts t1_irnaysc wrote
I’ve never gotten a definitive answer on anything related to radiators. It pisses me off. I have 5 from the 1800s how do I care and maintain them
femaledog t1_irwe1wv wrote
If you want to read the best source of information on the web about steam heat, check out the Strictly Steam subforum of heatinghelp.
https://forum.heatinghelp.com/categories/strictly-steam
​
It is an incredible resource, the information there has helped me unfuck years of hack jobs on the steam radiators at my home and office.
961402 t1_iro7wo5 wrote
I've always been told that the actual answer to this is "It depends and you should ask your super" because there are apparently a few different ways in which a steam heating system can be set up and in some cases the knob/valve is there in case the radiator needs to be removed or replaced and when you turn the knob to off, it cuts off steam to anything else along the line.
Bertie_Woo t1_irniy26 wrote
If the service valve is in good condition it might not be a problem, but using an air release plug / smaller orifice is a more reliable permanent solution if you have issues with water noise.
ZweitenMal t1_irl3hcx wrote
You shouldn’t close it because edits a building-wide system designed to work as a unit. If radiators are closed, the system is not working as designed. Open your windows.
mule_roany_mare t1_irmjt7q wrote
This is true to an extent, steam can be an absolute bitch to balance.
A lot of the one pipe steam in NYC was designed for coal boilers which came to temperature & pressure very slowly compared to the efficient gas boilers currently installed.
You are way out of spec from “design” already. I don’t know what the theory of why it matters is, but in practice it does not matter much or all of the time.
Hell, con Ed will give you TRVs which close off a radiator about as effectively as if the valve is closed, the boiler can’t tell the difference
smugbox t1_irmv2kj wrote
Not getting nosebleeds again. Nope
Bertie_Woo t1_irnkfir wrote
I also have issues with nose bleeds and in my case air purifiers help too. Furniture and beds can locally harbor dust mites even in dry apartments and cause irritation.
This also led me to discover ultrasonic humidifiers produce a smoke-like level of fine mineral dust.
ZweitenMal t1_irn0xie wrote
Get a humidifier.
smugbox t1_irndtsi wrote
I have one. Turns out they don’t work with the windows open.
My building is fine. No water hammer here.
Bertie_Woo t1_irnk5eb wrote
Humidifying a leaky apartment can be very difficult. For my unit it requires multiple gallons per day. I think it's easier to seal the area and reduce the heat to what is actually needed.
ZweitenMal t1_irno20i wrote
My apartment gets so stuffy with the windows closed. If you open them from the top you get a little flow of fresh air and it vents the excess heat naturally.
I don’t mind refilling my humidifier every day. I also put baking pans full of water on top of the radiators. Helps as well.
Bertie_Woo t1_irnpwti wrote
Oh, I'm curious about the baking pans, is that enough humidity for you?
I am sensitive to noise and live in a windy area, so opening the window doesn't work well for me.
Last year I disabled one radiator, used wet towels on the other radiator cover, and sealed all my windows. It worked well but damaged the radiator cover paint. I tried pans initially, but it didn't evaporate enough. I ended up DIYing a solution with Ikea buckets, evaporative wicks and a large quiet computer fans. I'm on the top floor of an old walkup with skylights though, so it's probably a worst case.
Bertie_Woo t1_irnqmxf wrote
In theory I feel like there should be a device that taps the single-pipe for humid air. I suppose that wouldn't fix stuffiness though.
Forced air HRV (Heat Recovery Ventilation) systems could possibly help, but I haven't seen a window mounted version. It would probably be noisy anyways.
ZweitenMal t1_iro17as wrote
The baking pans do seem to help. Adding a proper humidifier helps much more. I bought one with an automatic setting--you set the humidity level you want to maintain and it runs and shuts off as needed. And yeah, it's running nearly all the time just to keep it to 40% in winter. It's a Vornado, I forget which model.
In winter I also have to pay attention to using more moisturizer and lotion (all over my arms and legs) and a good lip balm, as well as drinking my usual level of water. I'm not as thirsty because I'm not hot, so I have to remind myself.
Winter is a dry time of year, that's all there is to it.
Bertie_Woo t1_irnjqyk wrote
This is just an excuse. Opening your windows is wasteful and drying.
ZweitenMal t1_irno4u6 wrote
Ok, thermodynamics expert.
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