In some cities, October 1 is marked by leaves changing or by the temperature dropping enough degrees to warrant digging out an old jacket. In New York City, these tell-tale signs of colder weather are also marked by radiators kicking on, flooding the city with familiar hissing and dull clunking noises. Though many NYC apartments (especially older buildings) are heated by steam radiators, few residents know the ins and outs of steam heat.
How radiators work
There are two types of radiators – steam-heated and water-heated. While some cities use water-based systems to heat buildings, New York City primarily uses steam heat to warm homes in the winter. The history of steam radiator heat goes back to 1855 when the first radiator was invented in St. Petersburg, Russia. While we call our heating devices radiators, they don’t radiate heat independently. Instead, they rely on convection, as the hot steam rises through the building using the laws of physics. Generally, there is a boiler in the basement that heats the hot water until it turns to steam, which naturally rises upward through pipes in the building. However, some buildings also draw from public steam generated from underground.
When do you turn the radiator on?
For many New York City residents, turning the radiator on isn’t a personal choice. Building management will automatically turn the heat on October 1 or when the temperature drops below 55 degrees during the day. The inside of the apartment must be kept at a minimum degree of 68 degrees during the day and 62 degrees at night as per city regulations. The city regulating heat creates an interesting conundrum – on the one hand, it’s convenient for residents not to worry about turning on the heat, but conversely, it can create heating issues because tenants aren’t in control of the temperature. Luckily, building management can often troubleshoot heating issues, and most radiators are controllable using the knob on the side of the fixture.
Using the knob to regulate the temperature
The knob on the side of the radiator may seem like a way to regulate the temperature, but it is actually an on/off switch. Typically, turning clockwise will switch the radiator off, and counter-clockwise will switch on the heat. For residents with loud noises coming from the radiator, the source of the sound can come from the knob not being fully turned in either direction. Though not all radiator sounds can be helped, this can be an easy way to minimize sound where possible.
Installing a valve to control heat
If the on/off knob doesn’t allow for enough temperature control in your home, a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV) can be installed on the radiator to help control the heat. These TRVs function by having a thermostatic head that contains an actuator that expands and contracts as the temperature of the room rises and falls. The valve body has a sprung plunger inside it that closes and opens the supply of steam into the radiator. When the thermostatic head and valve body work together, the temperature of the room is easily controlled and the flow of steam regulated. When the room reaches the ideal temperature, the valve automatically closes, and the room stops heating. While these valves can be self-installed, it is wise for residents to contact building management for help.
Radiator noise
Most radiators make noise early in the day as heat begins moving through the building. Though some radiator noise is unavoidable, an excess of clanking and hissing can sometimes be fixed. Some radiators need to “bleed,” meaning the valve on the radiator needs to be opened slightly to let out excess air. This should be done with caution, however, as too much air can lead boiling water to come pouring into the apartment. For renters, it is the best call to contact building management and ask for help fixing the radiator.
Pet and childproofing
Though radiators are extraordinarily effective at heating apartments and buildings, they can also be perilous for children and pets. One easy way to prevent burns and injury is by installing a radiator cover. Radiator covers are made by a variety of companies and can come in steel, aluminum, and bronze. Though some premade covers can be expensive (running anywhere from $100 to $300 and up), they are a sure way to ensure the safety of the young children or pets in the household. For an easier (and less expensive) fix, a pet playpen or fireplace screen can also block off access from curious children or wandering pets.
Pandemic fighting machines
While many residents detest their overheating radiators, what they don’t know is that many radiators were actually built to overheat. Most New York City radiators were installed at the height of the 1918 Spanish Flu, and the primary goal of these heaters was to warm the unit even when the windows were wide open. This seemed like an archaic sentiment until recently, but now as we live in a Covid-19 centered world, residents can keep fresh air flowing with the windows open while keeping the space heated all at once.
Yet this early 20th century solution isn’t great for the environment – letting heat out into the atmosphere contributes to ongoing climate change problems, so where possible, it is best to minimize the amount of heat coming out of the apartment and into the open air. For ongoing overheating issues, it is best to contact building management to ask if the heat can be turned down – there may be other residents who are also suffering from the same problem!
Knowledge is power
Whether your apartment is overheating or too chilly, there are a few easy fixes that can make the winter more bearable in your steam-heated space. By using the knob on the side or an installed thermostatic valve, temperature can be regulated and in dire cases, a cracked window can go a long way for an overheated home. For spaces with children and pets, radiator covers or barriers can help keep the household safe through the colder months. More than anything, good communication with building management is imperative, as much of the heating of the apartment depends on management to troubleshoot any issues. Though radiators can be finicky, if residents are knowledgeable about their heat source, energy waste can be minimized while keeping the space warm for the winter.
