Parts

Consumers Supply stocks parts for most major heating products including the following:

• Furnaces: Fan Motors, Switches, Circuit Boards, Blowers, Gas Valves, Draft Inducers, Ductwork, Venting, Registers and Grills, Humidifiers, Air Filters, Thermostats, Flame Sensors, Ignitors
• Boilers: Pumps, Relays, Expansions Tanks, Relief Valves, Pressure Reducing Valves, Automatic Feeds, Low Water Cutoffs, Gas Valves, Vent Dampers
• Water Heaters: Gas Valves, Relief Valves, Expansion Tanks, Connectors, Vent Dampers,
• Wall & Space Heaters: Blowers, Motors, Switches, Themocouples, Venting
• Radiators: Valves, Bushings, Vents, Return Elbows, Steam Traps.
• and much more…

For more information call us (312)666-6080

Heating Parts — Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about heating parts for steam, hot water, and radiator systems in Chicago

Q
Where can I buy heating system parts in Chicago?

Consumers Supply Company at 1110 W. Lake St. in Chicago stocks heating parts for steam boilers, hot water systems, and radiators — including steam traps, air vents, pressure gauges, relief valves, zone valves, circulator flanges, and more. The store serves homeowners, building owners, and plumbing and heating contractors throughout the Chicago area. Parts are available for same-day pickup. Call (312) 666-6080 to confirm availability on a specific part before making the trip.

Q
What types of heating parts does Consumers Supply carry?

Consumers Supply stocks a broad range of heating system components covering both steam and hot water systems. For steam systems this includes steam traps, radiator air vents, low-water cutoffs, sight glasses, pressure gauges, and relief valves. For hot water systems the inventory includes zone valves, circulator pump flanges and couplings, expansion tank valves, fill valves, backflow preventers, and air eliminators. Radiator supply valves, unions, and packings are also stocked for both system types. Call (312) 666-6080 to ask about a specific part.

Q
What is a steam trap and how do I know if mine has failed?

A steam trap is a valve that automatically removes condensate (water) and air from a steam system while keeping steam from escaping. A failed steam trap is one of the most common causes of heating problems in Chicago buildings — when a trap fails open, steam blows through continuously, wasting energy and causing pipes to overheat. When a trap fails closed, condensate backs up, causing water hammer, uneven heating, and potential pipe damage. Signs of a failed trap include one radiator that gets extremely hot while others stay cold, loud banging in the pipes, or a hissing sound coming from a radiator. Consumers Supply stocks replacement steam traps for common residential applications — call (312) 666-6080 to discuss what you need.

Q
What is a radiator air vent and when should it be replaced?

A radiator air vent (also called a steam vent) is a small valve on the side of a one-pipe steam radiator that releases trapped air when the system starts up, allowing steam to enter and heat the radiator. When an air vent fails, the radiator either stays cold (vent stuck closed, air can’t escape) or hisses and spits water (vent stuck open, steam escapes). Replacing a radiator air vent is one of the simplest heating repairs a homeowner can perform — the vent threads directly onto the radiator and can usually be swapped out in minutes with no special tools. Consumers Supply stocks air vents in multiple sizes — call (312) 666-6080 to confirm what’s available.

Q
What is a low-water cutoff and why is it important?

A low-water cutoff is a safety device on a steam boiler that shuts the burner down automatically if the water level in the boiler drops below a safe minimum. Without it, a boiler running low on water can overheat and sustain serious damage to the boiler sections or heat exchanger. Low-water cutoffs should be tested and flushed regularly as part of annual boiler maintenance — mineral sediment can cause the float mechanism to stick and fail. If your low-water cutoff is old, corroded, or hasn’t been serviced in several years, replacement is worth considering before the heating season. Consumers Supply stocks low-water cutoffs for common residential steam boiler applications — call (312) 666-6080 to discuss what’s in stock.

Q
What is a zone valve and what does it do?

A zone valve is an electrically actuated valve used in hot water heating systems to control the flow of hot water to different areas or floors of a building independently. When a thermostat in a zone calls for heat, it opens the zone valve for that area, allowing hot water to circulate through the baseboard or radiators in that zone only. Zone valves are a common point of failure in older hot water systems — symptoms of a failed zone valve include a zone that never heats up or one that runs continuously regardless of the thermostat setting. Consumers Supply stocks replacement zone valves for common residential hot water systems — call (312) 666-6080 to discuss what’s available.

Q
What is a boiler relief valve and when should it be replaced?

A pressure relief valve (also called a T&P valve on hot water systems) is a critical safety device that opens automatically if boiler pressure or temperature exceeds a safe limit, preventing a dangerous overpressure situation. Relief valves should be tested annually and replaced if they leak, fail to open during testing, or show signs of corrosion. A relief valve that drips constantly is either doing its job because pressure is genuinely too high — which needs a plumber’s attention — or it has failed and needs replacement. Either way it should not be ignored. Consumers Supply stocks relief valves for both steam and hot water boiler applications.

Q
Can I buy heating parts without being a licensed contractor?

Yes. Consumers Supply is open to the public — homeowners and building owners can walk in and purchase heating parts directly, no contractor license required. Many heating parts, particularly radiator air vents, steam traps, relief valves, and radiator valves, can be replaced by a capable homeowner. Parts that involve gas lines or electrical connections should be handled by a licensed professional. The team at Consumers Supply can help you identify the right part when you call or stop in.

Q
Why is it better to buy heating parts locally rather than ordering online?

When a heating system fails in a Chicago winter, waiting several days for an online order is not a practical option — particularly for landlords with tenants or for anyone without a backup heat source. Consumers Supply stocks the most commonly needed heating parts for Chicago’s steam and hot water systems at 1110 W. Lake St., available for same-day pickup. Local sourcing also means you can describe the part and the symptoms to someone who knows Chicago heating systems, and get the right part the first time rather than ordering and waiting only to find it’s the wrong fit.

Q
What information should I bring when looking for a replacement heating part?

The more detail you can provide, the better. Bring the old part if possible, or a clear photo of it with any visible part numbers or markings. For valves and controls, knowing the pipe size and connection type helps narrow things down quickly. Describing the symptom — what the system is doing or not doing — is also useful context. Call (312) 666-6080 ahead of your visit and describe what you’re looking for — the team can let you know if it’s something we stock before you make the trip.