Jackson Heights Life

There is no "adjustment" the super can make to reduce the heat from the radiator other than closing the valve completely.
Either the valve is completely open or completely closed - anywhere in between will cause problems with the entire system.
Even with our valves all closed the pipes heat the apartment so much that windows need to be opened.

Quote from: jhjefe on November 09, 2017, 10:39:50 AM

There is no "adjustment" the super can make to reduce the heat from the radiator other than closing the valve completely.
Either the valve is completely open or completely closed - anywhere in between will cause problems with the entire system.
Even with our valves all closed the pipes heat the apartment so much that windows need to be opened.

That information is incorrect. The Super has various valves with different size holes in them which changes the amount of heat allowed in the radiator.

If the temperature in your apartment is too hot or too cold, please, call the Super.

Quote from: jhjefe on November 09, 2017, 12:44:55 PM

Quote from: jh35 on November 09, 2017, 11:54:24 AM

Quote from: jhjefe on November 09, 2017, 10:39:50 AM

There is no "adjustment" the super can make to reduce the heat from the radiator other than closing the valve completely.
Either the valve is completely open or completely closed - anywhere in between will cause problems with the entire system.
Even with our valves all closed the pipes heat the apartment so much that windows need to be opened.

That information is incorrect. The Super has various valves with different size holes in them which changes the amount of heat allowed in the radiator.

If the temperature in your apartment is too hot or too cold, please, call the Super.

It is actually precisely correct.  Your information is not.  You dont need to take my word for it all of it can be fact checked using your favorite search engine.

https://www.thespruce.com/steam-radiator-air-vents-1824733

"The radiator air valve comes in different sizes to provide different rates of airflow.

This is necessary for the system to be balanced. Balancing the system involves adjusting the amount of steam provided to the radiators, through both the supply valve and venting air valve, so that an individual radiator produces heat appropriate for the room it serves."

The radiators in Washington Plaza are not adjustable. I used to have to use my air conditioning in winter when I lived in the D building because it was so over-heated and there was nothing they could do about it. They can control the heat from the basement, but only to the building, not to individual apartments.  Turning the valve does absolutely nothing. At least it doesn't in both of my apartments. The guy above me in the D-building swears he was able to completely turn his off when it got too hot, but he was never able to actually control the temperature - it was either off or on.  I wasn't even able to do that.

My bedroom radiator hasn't been working at all the last few days - the other ones are fine but for some reason the one in the bedroom is ice cold. I wonder if the workmen had to turn part of the heat off and then forgot to turn it back on (that happens a lot at Washington Plaza - they sometimes forget to turn the hot water back on as well after work is done).

I would definitely mention it to the super.  But this is a weird time of year when it can be too cold and we don't have enough heat because it's in the 50s outside. And there's a big difference depending on which building you are in. I am so happy not to be in my overheated old apartment anymore.

Quote from: jh35 on November 09, 2017, 04:23:40 PM

They have been using a valve similar to this lately:
https://www.amazon.com/Varivalve-925005-00-Adjustable-Angle-Valve/dp/B009ATMA2I/

Previously they used one like this:
https://www.amazon.com/EZ-FLO-20371-Radiator-Air-Valve/dp/B004F96S26/

I do not see what the confusion is, maybe the word "valve."

You should be careful when considering modifying the radiator's valves and vents - leave that to accountable professionals.  It seems you think the adjustable vent opening you linked to will help regulate temperature.  It will slow steam from entering the radiator- but that's a big problem.  Cycle timing is important. Unless the vent is completely blocked or the shutoff valve is closed, steam WILL get in there.  It will do more to throw the system's balance out and will lead to flooding in the radiator and pipes and its attendant banging and possibly cause the vent to spit water which can lead to damage in the unit below.  That's why it is more effective and safer to just close down the shut-off valve completely if the space is overheated.  Its one thing to experiment with your own system - another when there are others involved.  Opening windows will not impact the performance of the system in any discernible way.