Sure, you can throw on a sweater when things get chilly at home. But what can you do if your apartment feels like an oven when the temperature drops? If you live in an older NYC apartment, you may have noticed that no matter how cold it gets outside, inside your dwelling feels excruciatingly hot and dry. What can you do if you have an overheated NYC apartment this winter? These tips will help you cool down.
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Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Stuyvesant Heights
206 Decatur Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Kensington
780 East 2nd Street
$1,900No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford-Stuyvesant
44 Vanburen Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Bushwick
150 Noll Street
$2,815No Fee
Studio |
1
Flatbush
150 Erasmus Street
$3,000No Fee
2 |
1
Flatbush
297 Lenox Road
$2,195No Fee
1 |
1
Flatbush
200 Linden Boulevard
$2,800No Fee
1 |
1
Stuyvesant Heights
1875 Atlantic Avenue
$2,900No Fee
1 |
1
Kensington
315 Ocean Parkway
$2,925No Fee
2 |
1
Bushwick
1094 Madison Street
$2,862No Fee
2 |
1
Cypress Hills
2741 Fulton Street
$2,840No Fee
2 |
1
Bushwick
1094 Madison Street
$2,395No Fee
1 |
1
Understanding How Your Apartment Is Heated
If you live in an older apartment building, chances are your building uses steam heating. According to a city report, more than 80% of large multifamily buildings still use steam heating systems. These systems are inefficient and old and often distribute heat unevenly throughout the building, resulting in an overheated apartment. Also, landlords might simply be turning up the heat to ensure all the apartments in the building are getting to the required temperature. As a result, your well-heated apartment could be well above that temperature!
On top of that, your apartment is being heated precisely the way it was meant to be: that is, overheated. This view dates back to the 1900s when health experts encouraged NYC residents to keep their windows open for fresh air no matter how cold the temperature outside. Today, of course, we realize what a huge waste of energy this is.
If you can’t control the heat in your building or convince your landlord to cool it, then it’s time for a quick fix. Here are seven renter-friendly methods to cool your overheated NYC apartment in the winter.
Open the Windows to Release Some Heat
This seems like an obvious solution, but it can help. It does have drawbacks, though: Heating comes in waves, so while you may go to sleep nice and cozy, you could wake up with chattering teeth. Opening a window also may not always solve the problem, as the radiator can simply overpower the cool air.
Manhattan Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
Fort George
105 Arden Street
$2,795No Fee
Studio |
1
Hamilton Heights
549 West 144th Street
$2,310No Fee
2 |
1
Sutton Place
230 East 58th Street
$2,875No Fee
Studio |
1
East Village
171 Avenue C
$2,300No Fee
Studio |
1
South Harlem
225 Central Park North
$2,750No Fee
1 |
1
Washington Heights
91 Audobon Avenue
$2,500No Fee
1 |
1
East Harlem
22 East 105th Street
$2,340No Fee
1 |
1
Hell’s Kitchen
333 West 55th Street
$2,395No Fee
Studio |
1
East Village
433 East Ninth Street
$2,195No Fee
Studio |
1
Yorkville
502 East 89th Street
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
East Village
185 Avenue C
$2,995No Fee
1 |
1
Hamilton Heights
523 West 135th Street
$2,796No Fee
2 |
1
Turn the Heat Off in Your Overheated NYC Apartment
You may have noticed that your heater has a knob on its side. This valve doesn’t control the heat (as many people assume) but does allow you to turn the heater itself off. (Though, of course, steam will still be traveling through the steam pipes in the room, contributing significant warmth.) If you choose this solution, make sure you turn the knob all the way off, or your radiator might clang.
Install a Thermostatic Valve or Vent
If you’re willing to dish out cash for a small upgrade, you can call a professional to install a thermostatic radiator valve that gives you control over the amount of heat generated. The valve is generally inexpensive, but a proper installation can run several hundred dollars. Still, that might be worth it in the long run especially if you plan to stay in your overheated NYC apartment for years to come. You can also ask your landlord to cover some or all of the cost, though we can’t guarantee they will.
Use a Fan to Cool Down Your Overheated NYC Apartment
Fans aren’t just for summer! Use a fan to move stagnant air around your apartment and disperse some of the heat. Place the box fan in front of a window to create a draft, and a (hopefully) cool breeze will help counteract the radiator’s power.
You can also use your ceiling fan in the winter to help mitigate the heat. Ceiling fans that spin counterclockwise actually cool the room more than fans that spin clockwise. Luckily, you can reverse the rotation of your fan on your own.
Queens Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
South Ozone Park
114-38 114th Street
$1,595No Fee
Studio |
1
Ridgewood
1928 Linden Street
$2,600No Fee
1 |
1
Astoria
31-13 30th Avenue
$2,050No Fee
Studio |
1
Sunnyside
46-15 48th Avenue
$2,850No Fee
2 |
1
Rego Park
95-08 Queens Boulevard
$1,850No Fee
1 |
1
Hillcrest
61-39 168th Street
$2,100No Fee
Studio |
1
Astoria
30-44 32nd Street
$2,850No Fee
Studio |
1
Astoria
26-20 21st Street
$2,400No Fee
1 |
1
Oakland Gardens
222-21 69th Avenue
$2,550No Fee
2 |
1
Murray Hill (Queens)
37-07 147th Street
$2,250No Fee
1 |
1
Murray Hill (Queens)
37-07 147th Street
$2,405No Fee
2 |
1
Astoria
40-04 34th Avenue
$2,871No Fee
Studio |
1
Invest in a Radiator Cover
A radiator cover will set you back a few hundred dollars, but it’s a solution you can implement without having to call in the pros. A simpler solution is to cover the radiator’s top and sides with thick, unpainted wooden boards or other nonflammable materials, like a slab of marble. The idea is to insulate the heat, reducing the amount that escapes into your apartment.
Cover the Radiator With Fabric to Cool Down
It’s like a magic trick for an overheated apartment — simply cover the radiator with a piece of fabric. Is this safe? Experts agree that, surprisingly, it is. Typical radiators don’t go above around 215 degrees Fahrenheit, not enough to set fabric on fire. To be on the safe side, use wool or thick cotton fabric — synthetic materials like polyester might melt at this temperature. Still uncomfortable placing anything on your radiator? Buy a heat-resistant thermal fabric, which guarantees durability below a certain temperature.
Bronx Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasyArticle continues below
North New York
478 East 134th Street
$2,250No Fee
2 |
1
North New York
466 East 143rd Street
$1,575No Fee
Studio |
1
North New York
505 East 144th Street
$1,575No Fee
Studio |
1
Concourse
930 Grand Concourse
$2,950No Fee
2 |
1
North New York
417 East 135th Street
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Mott Haven
224 East 135th Street
$2,451No Fee
1 |
1
North New York
109 Bruckner Boulevard
$2,400No Fee
2 |
1
Claremont
1306 Franklin Avenue
$2,000No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford Park
2855 Grandconcourse
$1,925No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford Park
225 East 202nd Street
$1,995No Fee
1 |
1
Bedford Park
225 East 202nd Street
$2,395No Fee
2 |
1
Mott Haven
276 Grand Concourse
$2,989No Fee
2 |
2
Use a Humidifier to Combat Dry Air In Your Overheated NYC Apartment
Overheating and dryness often go hand-in-hand. If your apartment is so dry that your knuckles are bleeding, a humidifier is a must. You can buy a cheap humidifier and place it near your bed, or you can use the radiator’s own heat to create a makeshift humidifier by placing a shallow bowl of water on the radiator. Just remember to refill it regularly — and marvel at how quickly your radiator evaporates an entire bowl of water.