# Radiators, a one pipe steam system **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [February 2, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014 "2008-02-02T20:09:41Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/1 "2008-02-02T20:09:41Z")
Radiators A one pipe steam system. Leave them all on to raise the over all temp in the house or close/turn down the ones in rooms that are not used as much to raise the temp in the radiators in other parts of the house that do not get warm enough and are used more? ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/2 "2008-02-02T21:44:26Z")
Uh… I think I need a verb or something to parse this. I saw the question mark, but is there some kind of an inquiry here? ---
**Author:** ![bat312](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/c77e96/32.png) [@bat312](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bat312)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2008, 10:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/3 "2008-02-02T22:14:17Z")
Witch strategy would be better to keep the temp more comfortable in the cooler areas? Leave all the radiators open to raise the over all temp or turn some radiators down to force more steam towards the cooler areas? Currently the front of the house (older and better insulated) stays warm…back of the house stays cooler. I cannot seem to get the back house radiators hot enough, so the questions is…what is a better option, turn radiators in front down forcing more steam towards the other radiators or leave them up and try to force the air towards the back. Sorry if this seems stupid, but someone might have had the same experience. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 2:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/4 "2008-02-03T02:40:17Z")
Updating to a modern regulator will be cost effective, and even out the temps better for you. Here’s some examples to look at, and be sure to get professional advice on your system, before you do any changes. they can advise you on how to correctly maintain and run the system. It’s never hurts to confirm you are doing everything in the proper manner, instead of thinking you are. [http://www.gspn.com/macon/opsk\_b.html](http://www.gspn.com/macon/opsk_b.html) > **[Home](https://armstronginternational.com/)** > > For over a century, Armstrong International has been solving thermal utility problems and preventing them for satisfied customers in more than 100 countries. [http://www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960509.html](http://www.homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.anl.gov/eehem/96/960509.html) ---
**Author:** ![Napier](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/ce73a5/32.png) [@Napier](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Napier)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 3:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/5 "2008-02-03T03:11:39Z")
I bet closing off radiators in the area that has all the heat it needs would be the better strategy for making the cooler areas more comfortable. But, it’s also easy to test with several cheap thermometers, or just by walking around and feeling it. ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/6 "2008-02-03T04:31:58Z")
think of it this way… the radiators and the pipes are an efficient system for redistributing heat in your home. Why would you want to repeat that achievement using air circulation? ---
**Author:** ![Alex\_Dubinsky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/dbc845/32.png) [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2008, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/radiators-a-one-pipe-steam-system/436014/7 "2008-02-03T04:34:34Z")
but actually… the real question is if turning down radiators will work. This depends on how the pipes are laid out. I’m no plumber, but if the radiators are connected serially, they will obviously all work worse together.