Heating Tips
Parker-Holsman Co.    1461 E. 57th Street    Chicago, IL 60637    773-493-2525 Your Neighborhood Realtor since 1931

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Parker-Holsman Co. was a charter member of the Institute for Real Estate Management in the 1930's. We continue to believe that it's our responsibility to educate our clients. We hope you will find this information useful.

Index to articles:

• Think Spring but...
  (also called Did we say Spring?)
• Beware the Ides of October...
• Warmth revisted
• It's Winter and it's cold out there: a heat up-date

Think Spring but... (From The Primer, Spring 1999; Previously titled: Did we say Spring?)
While the heat is still coming up, you should identify any heat problems NOW. Do you have radiators that don't get completely hot? That bang? That drip? A heating expert can't diagnose the problem when the boiler is shut down. Now is the time to make sure everything will be in tip top shape for next winter! Call your favorite plumber for an on-site inspection, or call us for advice.

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Beware the Ides of October... (From The Primer, Fall 1998)
It's mid October, a rainy drizzle outside, and inside you're cold and frustrated because your radiators are equally cold. Who to call? What to do?

First, calm down. Make a nice cup of tea. Put on a sweater, wrap an afghan around your legs, and re-read this article.

October and, to a lesser extent, April are transitional months for heating. Most of our boilers are equipped with outside sensors which tell the furnace to start when the outside temperature dips below 50 degrees. The exact temperature is usually set by landlords and condo/co-op boards. During this transitional period, the outside temperature is too warm to trigger the boiler and too cold for interior comfort. This may be a good time to turn on your portable radiator.

The good news (?) is that colder weather is coming. Before you know it, the boiler will be running full blast and you'll only be cold outside where nature intends to freeze your socks off.

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Warmth Revisited (From The Primer, Winter 1997)
We try to keep you informed about how to keep warm and don't want to be repetitive, so we'll just summarize:

1. Keep your radiators turned on fully and make sure there are no obstructions, including radiator covers.
2. Make sure storm windows are in place in all windows.
3. Put weather-stripping wherever you feel a draft.
4. Get a humidifier, since heated air is very dry and lack of humidity will make you feel cooler even if the temperature should be comfortable.

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It's Winter and it's cold out there: a heat up-date (From The Primer, Winter 1996)
Many of us live in older apartment buildings and there are going to be times when high winds directly blowing at an expanse of windows will cause lower-than-desired temperatures, even when our janitors are supplying maximum heat.

Most older buildings have a central steam-heating system that can be efficient, economical, reliable, and silent - when it is working properly. Steam and water (which is condensed from the steam) flow through pipes at the same time, in opposite directions. The two most common problems with the steam system are loud banging noises and hisses.

The banging noises ae caused by steam forcing its way through pockets of water. Three problems usually cause these banging noises:

1. People are trying to regulate heat by partially closing or opening the steam valve.
2. Radiator is tilted in the wrong direction.
3. There is a worn-out seat in the steam valve.

To correct these banging problems:

1. For problem one, it is important that radiators always be completely turned off or on. Any partial closing not only causes banging but also results in leakage, damaging your floors and the apartment below.
2. For problem two, a shim is usually placed under the two radiator feet fartherest away from the steam valve, tipping the radiator slightly toward the steam valve (about 5 degrees) to allow the condensed steam to drain back toward the boiler.
3. For problem three, professionl help will be required as the steam valve will have to be replaced.

A radiator should only hiss as steam starts to rise. There are three areas on the radiator that can cause continuous hissing and serious leaks:

1. the air vent
2. the packing nut
3. the union nut

A great deal of damage can be caused by worn-out air vents and/or malfunctioning packing and union nuts. If your radiator is continually hissing and/or leaking, notify your janitor at once.

To correct hissing problems:

1. Problem 1 (air vent)
   
   1. Continuous hissing indicates that steam is not closing the air vent and it should be replaced.
   2. Water squirting out of an air vent, accompanied by hissing noises, indictes that the steam valve has not been shut off tight or that the steam valve has a worn-out seat. This is serious because a great deal of water damage can result.
   3. Air vent does not hiss at all and the radiator only partially heats: an indication that the air vent has failed or the venting hole has been painted shut. Replace air vent.
2. Problem 2 (packing nut)
   This is a serious leak that can easily be remedied by re-packing the nut. A great deal of water damage can result from failure to correct this.
3. Problem 3 (union nut)
   This is the most serious leak, because condensed water will drip or even flow from this area, causing serious damage to floors, carpets, and neighbor's ceilings. The steam valve in most cases needs to be replaced. Sometimes the union nut can just be tightened.

Remember: radiator covers, heavy paint on radiators, and poor placement of radiators will seriously cut down on the heat output to your unit. If your radiator is covered with many thick coats of paint, it should be stripped and silvered with heat-resistant aluminum paint. Placing furniture, boxes, etc. in front of radiators will also reduce heat circulation.

If you think you have problems with your radiators, you may need expert advice and assistance. Don't hesitate to consult your condo officers or janitor. Your Parker-Holsman manager can help them find answers to your questions.

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