#11
27th Jan 2017 at 1:37 AM
From a technical standpoint, radiators function by having a boiler (usually in the basement) that contains a large reservoir of water (usually treated with chemicals to keep it clean and improve heat transfer) and heated by either an electric heating coil or gas flame, similar to a water heater for the sink/bathtub/etc. Depending on the type of radiator, the hot water either turns to steam and rises into the radiators under its own pressure, or hot water itself is pumped through the radiators. Steam radiators are more common.
This being the case, it's rare for radiators to be able to be individually controlled, as they're usually all tied to the same boiler and run together, but the boiler itself can be remotely controlled, such as a by a thermostat in the house (or newer systems can be controlled via a smartphone app or remote that controls the thermostat)
There are portable radiators that often have oil inside instead of water and are heated by electrical coils. These can also be remotely controlled but aren't as effective as the whole house radiators.
That said, it sounds like your implementation is fairly realistic, as having the whole house turn on and off together on a schedule and being able to sit near them for relaxing heat is actually accurate. Radiators can be selectively turned off by closing the valve and blocking the steam/water from that unit, but it's usually impossible to turn only one on without having to close off all the others, which is usually discouraged due to the pressure from the boiler being intended to be spread across all the units in the house and could be hazardous to allow for only one or two units to be the only ones open.
Lastly, if you want to add the option for upgrade or repair, the following choices might be fitting:
Repair type: Spring a leak (maybe animate with steam or water spraying from the side/top, could create puddles)
Radiators are under a lot of pressure from super heated steam/water being pushed into them and it's possible for the relief vent to fail and shoot steam or water out of the top of the radiator. Repairs are relatively simple and might be classified as plumbing repairs (often you call a plumber to fix radiator systems), as the steam/water is dangerously hot, you might include a chance to be scalded if attempting the repair with low skill. This would be considered a burn, but might need a different debuff from a burn from fire. The debuff should probably not be life-threatening, but I suppose it could contribute to death of the Sim is already hurt by something else in a similar category.
Upgrade types:
Improved Relief Valve (Skill - Simple): When a radiator isn't running, the steam/water cools and falls back into the boiler. In its place is plain air. When the boiler turns on, this air needs a place to go so the steam/water can fill the radiator again and is forced out through the relief valve. By improving the efficiency of the valve, a radiator is better able to relieve excess pressure and is less likely to fail and may be able to heat up faster and more safely. (in-game effect: radiator breaks less often, doesn't leave a puddle when it does break?)
Improved Convection (Skill - Moderate): Radiators work by a process called convection, wherein the water in a boiler is heated and caused to rise, where the heat convects, or is passed on, to the metal body of the radiator and then out to the air, causing the water/steam to cool and drop back down into the boiler. Improving the heat transfer of the radiator by chemical treatment of the water and better quality metal in the radiator itself will allow the radiator to waste less energy and heat the room more quickly. (in-game effect: warmth buff improved and takes effect more quickly)
Unbreakable (Skill - High): Making a radiator system completely unbreakable is truly a "pipe dream" (pun intended), but as many items in The Sims can be made unbreakable, it stands to reason that this would be the final step in fully upgrading your radiator. (in-game effect: Radiator never breaks. Completing this upgrade makes Improved Relief Valve obsolete)