TRVS, P2

That in and of itself might not have been so bad, but the super had made another big boo-boo: he had adjusted the "XYZ" knob on the Heat-Timer, not the usual knob, so that the boiler basically ran continuously no matter how hot or cold the outdoor temperature. This was but one example of a number of similar issues, large and small, in both buildings, all of which made it difficult for the TRVs to do their job.

Energy Savings

When the heating season ended, we analyzed fuel-consumption data and concluded that the one-pipe building saved about four percent and the two-pipe building about nine percent of its fuel, for a simple payback of about three years. We made the following additional observations:

• Most of the two-pipe residents liked the TRVs and found that their apartments were significantly more comfortable.

• Many of the one-pipe residents liked the TRVs, but some folks blamed them for problems the TRVs could not possibly have created.

• The one-pipe building changed Heat-Timers in mid-March and thereafter experienced significantly elevated apartment temperatures.

• The "vacuum breaker" on a few of the one-pipe TRVs stopped working because of debris inside the heating system; this clogging may have affected the TRVs' operation enough to result in overheating.

Teething problems notwithstanding, we judged the project a success. Overall comfort increased and energy consumption decreased in both buildings. We believe more savings are possible as co-op shareholders and condo unit-owners become more familiar with these devices. We also believe the TRVs will permit adjustments to the Heat-Timer that will result in additional savings. 

If you are considering installing TRVs, note the following half-dozen tips:

1. Develop in advance as much support for the project as possible. Provide an information session for all interested parties so everyone will know what to expect.
2. Have a knowledgeable expert oversee the job.
3. Use in-house installation labor whenever possible.
4. Develop a specific protocol for dealing with "no heat" complaints wherein turning up the heating control is the absolute last resort.
5. Be patient. It may take a few months for everyone in the building to be comfortable with these new devices.
6. Once the shakedown period, which could be a few months, is over, experiment with adjustments to the boiler control to gain even more savings.

(left) One-pipe TRV wired to remote sensor on wall at right

(right) Two-pipe radiator with cover cutout

(below, left to right) Two-pipe Dunham-Bush radiator valve; TRV module; drop-in converter

For articles going back to 2002,  join our Archive >>