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ZweitenMal t1_irl3hcx wrote

Reply to comment by smugbox in Your annual reminder that if your apartment has a radiator, don't open and close the valve. This can create condensation in the system causing a knocking sound. Radiators are designed to be used with a series of open windows to balance heat. by emeyer94

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.

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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

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smugbox t1_irmv2kj wrote

Not getting nosebleeds again. Nope

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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.

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ZweitenMal t1_irn0xie wrote

Get a humidifier.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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Bertie_Woo t1_irnjqyk wrote

This is just an excuse. Opening your windows is wasteful and drying.

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