trv

Taming Steam Heat with the Shelly TRV

01/14/2023 13:04 EST home-assistant shelly automation trv hvac

Anyone who has lived in New York City is likely familiar with steam heat. Many buildings in the city are fitted with steam heat, and in Manhattan, ConEd even provides district steam to some buildings. Heat in these buildings is generally controlled by a central thermostat which often results in overheating. Many New Yorkers resort to simply opening their windows to control the heat. This was a practice that became common during the 1918 flu pandemic. However, there’s a less wasteful alternative to controlling steam heat. Thermostatic radiator valves have been common in Europe for years but are far less common in the United States. Combined with the Shelly TRV and Home Assistant, I’m able to reliably control the heat of my apartment throughout the winter.