I live in an upper duplex (which is approximately 50-55 yrs. Old), in Canada. Now that winter is here, the heating is on regularly. Recently, my Parents (who live downstairs), had the heating system changed over from oil to electric. The companies involved removed the very old oil system furnace, and they installed on the wall a system... and now the heating runs by electric power. Unfortunately, there is only one thermostat to control the heat for the upstairs and downstairs, located on the wall - at my Parents place. They would have liked to change it over entirely so that I would have my own thermostat, upstairs, (and then there would be two separate electric heating bills!) And, if this would have been possible, these old radiators would have then been removed and they would have installed electric rads etc. Etc... but - it was too huge a job and it could not, and did not happen) . The radiators were left as is. We still have the same original radiators (with water inside), except now the heating is run by electricity instead of oil. As I live upstairs, (and heat rises), the temperature up here is a lot hotter than downstairs. And as the building was not built well, in that they did not do a good job insulating it - it is much colder in their place (the floors are even cold!). My Parents are elderly folks, they wish to have a warm home, and the temperature is set at 72 degrees (which is, in my opinion not terribly high). I was able to open up the outside window an inch to get some cool air in, when the heat is unbearable... but - as there are double windows, I tried this last night but the outside window is now frozen shut (it is getting quite cold now). I feel that the money is being wasted by opening up windows and this is not a good solution.
One plumber told me that they can install, on each radiator, a type of dial - on the outside corner, whereby I could regulate the temperature by turning it up or down on each one. But, it would cost approximately $450. To install the dial on each radiator! And most likely the cost is more... taxes (additional unforeseen complications) etc. I did not get a written estimate... but he did say it was costly. (Also some additional information... there is a little device on the right side end of each radiator, to release a few drops of water/air at the beginning of the winter. Not sure how to describe this... or what it is called? Is it called an automatic valve.. ) Also, at the end of each rad. on the left side is what appears to be a "faucet"? What is the purpose of these faucets? I am quite sure that at this point that they surely are quite rusted/brittle... and I assume, they would be difficult to open... and maybe there would be "complications" and they would break! Yikes! Because they are never touched, (60 years!) and in the past if a plumber has had to fiddle with anything, it has always been on the right side - the brass coloured metal thing... ) I would greatly appreciate any advice, information, experiences, instructions etc. as to finding a way to turn down the radiators which are burning hot, in some of the rooms? Thank you.