Steam heating systems are notorious for distributing heat unevenly.
So what can you do if yours is a hot apartment?
Here are three tips to cool a hot apartment in cold weather.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
Take Control of Your Radiator
The problem with old-fashioned radiators is they often lack a heat adjustment.
Each radiator must be fully on or fully off; there is no “warm” setting.
However, there is one way to adjust the heat on asteam radiator: installing a thermostatic radiator valve.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
This adjusts room temperature by using air to reduce or increase the amount of steam that warms your radiator.
Radiators come in two types: one-pipe and two-pipe.
They have different types of boiler systems.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
A thermostatic valve or actuator should be installed by your super or a plumber.
Block Your Radiator’s Heat
The hotter a steam radiator gets, the more warmth it radiates.
Radiators use natural air convection to heat a room.
The Spruce / Sarah Crowley
By covering the radiator, you limit this airflow.
Covering a radiator is safe to do only if you use heat-resistant fabrics.
Steam radiators can warm up to 215 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not hot enough to ignite most materials.
Instead, use awool blanket, which is naturally flame-resistant up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit.
A ceiling fan isn’t essential, but you could use it to accelerate the cool-down process.
If your ceiling fan runs in both directions, remember thatcounterclockwiseis the standard setting for cooling a room.
This will circulate the hot air that has floated up to the ceiling.
Yes, since heat rises, the top floors are often the warmest.
This will often result in a lower average heating bill.
Flame Resistance.International Wool Textile Organization.
