{"id":16662,"date":"2022-12-21T15:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-12-21T20:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/content-manager\/?p=16662"},"modified":"2022-12-21T15:01:24","modified_gmt":"2022-12-21T20:01:24","slug":"nyc-radiator-thing-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.renthop.com\/blog\/nyc-radiator-thing-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Things to Know About Your NYC Radiator"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In some cities, residents mark October 1 by leaves changing or cooler temperatures. In New York City<\/a>, renters in pre-war buildings can expect to hear the familiar hissing and dull clunking noises. Steam radiators in New York City provide heat to many buildings, but tenants rarely know the details of this heating method.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How Radiators Work<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

There are two types of radiators – steam and water. 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\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

When Do You Turn the Radiator On?<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

For many New York City residents, turning the radiator on isn\u2019t 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\u2019s convenient for residents not to worry about turning on the heat, but conversely, it can create heating issues because tenants aren\u2019t 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Use the Knob to Regulate Temperature<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Control Heat with a Valve<\/h2>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If the on\/off knob doesn\u2019t 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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