Heating switched on in Riga, but about 300 buildings still have radiator problems

Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks (RNP), which manages a large share of apartment buildings in the Latvian capital, connected nearly all of its buildings to heating within three days this year, from 12 to 14 October. Even so, about 300 buildings needed fixes in one or more rooms where radiators were not warming properly after the supply began. For residents whose homes are still cold, the key questions are where to report the problem and how to avoid it in future.

How the switch-on went

According to RNP, the heating season could begin relatively late this year, as last year heat was connected as early as 1 October. Its technicians check and adjust each building's heating unit at the end of summer, so everything was ready in September and heating could have been switched on immediately for buildings that wanted an earlier start. There would also have been no technical obstacles to connecting all buildings if September had turned very cold.

In five buildings, residents themselves chose to postpone the start. In another 11, renovation work was still under way and slightly delayed the connection. No building had debts that held up heating.

Why radiators stay cold

Damage that occurred in apartments over the summer can only be detected once the system is running. The most frequent cause is improperly done or uncoordinated repairs, such as replaced pipes or radiators. In simple cases, bleeding air from the system or balancing the heating unit solves the problem; more complex ones require major repairs. For very old pipes, bleeding may be needed even without unauthorised work.

RNP asks clients to report radiators that do not heat, or are too cold or too hot. Reports can be made through the RNP mobile app, the e-parvaldnieks.lv client portal or by calling 8900. Technicians visit, find the cause and restore normal operation; this stabilisation period lasts about two weeks.

Avoiding problems next time

Replacing radiators or pipes must be agreed with the property manager and requires a project prepared by a certified heating-design specialist. Radiators and towel dryers are part of the whole building's system rather than an individual flat's property, so incorrect replacement can harm heating and hot-water circulation throughout the building.

If ageing pipes are the cause, the manager usually recommends making their repair a priority, provided the building has enough savings in its repair fund. Lack of money is the biggest obstacle, so RNP urges owners to use co-financing for energy-efficient renovation. EU support can pay for insulating a building and renewing utilities, including the water heating system. The new support programme is still being prepared, but buildings can begin getting ready now.