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.

Brooklyn Rentals Under $3,000 on StreetEasy Article continues below

Brownsville

24 East 91st Street

$1,650 base rent

2 |

1

East New York

545 Hinsdale Street

$2,600 base rent

2 |

1

Mill Basin

605 Mayfair Drive South

$2,850 base rent

2 |

1

Prospect Lefferts Gardens

271 Clarkson Avenue

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

Fort Hamilton

2 Marine Avenue

$2,450 base rent

1 |

1

Flatbush

284 Clarkson Avenue

$2,200 base rent

Studio |

1

Bushwick

115 Moffat Street

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1

Brownsville

933 Saratoga Avenue

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

Flatbush

152 Lenox Road

$2,430 base rent

2 |

1

East Flatbush

1595 New York Avenue

$2,650 base rent

2 |

1

East Flatbush

1595 New York Avenue

$2,950 base rent

2 |

1

Weeksville

1351 Saint John’s Place

$2,995 base rent

3 |

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 2019 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 StreetEasy Article continues below

Sutton Place

336 East 55th Street

$2,850 base rent

1 |

1

Upper West Side

315 West 77th Street

$2,300 base rent

Studio |

1

Washington Heights

27 Audubon Avenue

$2,350 base rent

2 |

1

South Harlem

1295 5th Avenue

$2,971 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

66 East 127th Street

$2,650 base rent

1 |

1.5

Lenox Hill

219 East 76th Street

$2,429 base rent

Studio |

1

Fort George

4568 Broadway

$2,902 base rent

1 |

1

Yorkville

450-452 East 81st Street

$2,895 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

70 West 139th Street

$3,000 base rent

1 |

1

Central Harlem

2035 Fifth Avenue

$2,862 base rent

Studio |

1

East Harlem

234 East 106th Street

$2,600 base rent

3 |

1

Hudson Yards

508 Ninth Avenue

$2,700 base rent

1 |

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 StreetEasy Article continues below

Jamaica

88-36 139th Street

$2,414 base rent

Studio |

1

Jackson Heights

32-02 75th Street

$2,399 base rent

2 |

1

Laurelton

138-06 219th Street

$2,600 base rent

2 |

1

Forest Hills

102-36 64th Avenue

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

Kew Gardens

84-50 Austin Street

$2,595 base rent

1 |

1

Flushing

141-43 Northern Boulevard

$2,800 base rent

2 |

2

Rockaway Park

117-12 Ocean Pm

$1,600 base rent

Studio |

1

Corona

97-15 Horace Harding Expressway

$1,971 base rent

Studio |

1

Kew Gardens

83-33 Austin Street

$2,900 base rent

2 |

1

Fresh Meadows

196-72 69th Avenue

$2,650 base rent

2 |

1

Elmhurst

42-25 80th Street

$2,300 base rent

1 |

1

Astoria

32-38 36th Street

$2,700 base rent

1 |

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 StreetEasy Article continues below

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$3,000 base rent

2 |

2

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,585 base rent

1 |

1

Mott Haven

25 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,220 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

499 Concord Avenue

$2,232 base rent

1 |

1

Bedford Park

2965 Decatur Avenue

$1,750 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,284 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,525 base rent

Studio |

1

Morris Park

1545 Rhinelander Avenue

$2,199 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,645 base rent

Studio |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,792 base rent

1 |

1

North New York

138 Bruckner Boulevard

$2,412 base rent

1 |

1

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.