This simple radiator task can heat your home properly and slash your energy bills too, so it’s important that you do it as soon as possible so you can feel the benefits
Temperatures have plummeted in recent weeks, prompting many to switch their heating back on. But if your heating isn’t performing as it should, it’s important to carry out this simple task before the December chill arrives.
This November, make sure to bleed your radiators if they need it. To determine whether your radiator requires bleeding, switch on your heating and allow it to warm up. Next, check the temperature at both the top and bottom. If it’s warm at the top and cool at the bottom, bleeding isn’t necessary. If it’s warm at the bottom and cool at the top, switch off the heating before bleeding it.
British Gas says this ensures your home heats properly whilst also reducing energy costs. So don’t put the task off and get it checked as soon as possible – as you don’t want to be wasting money before Christmas!
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They noted that if the radiator feels “warm at the bottom and cold at the top,” this indicates “trapped air inside”. Before beginning, you must “turn off your central heating”. This stage is crucial, as bleeding your radiator whilst the central heating remains on will result in scalding, since the water released will be boiling hot.
How do you bleed a radiator?
At the top of your radiator, “you’ll see a valve,” and if your radiator valve features a “flat groove through the middle” then you can “use a flat-head screw driver”. If this isn’t the case, you’ll require a radiator bleed key, readily available at affordable prices from DIY shops.
Before commencing the process, it’s advised to “hold a cloth under the valve to catch any water, turn it 90 degrees to let the air out until the water runs through smoothly”. You can also use a container if you’re concerned about the volume of water that may come out.
Once completed, you can “close the valve, and then you can turn your heating back on”. After allowing the radiators time to heat up, your radiator should be “warm all over” and therefore will be able to heat up your home more efficiently.
British Gas provides further insight into bleeding your radiator. They suggest that you should “only open it slightly until you hear the hissing noise”. This sound indicates “air escaping” from the radiator. They also recommend having a container and a cloth handy, as some radiators may produce a significant amount of liquid.
The experts advise: “Once the sound stops and water starts streaming out, make sure you catch the water in the container.” You should perform this on all the radiators in your house, then you will be able to enjoy the warmth of your home once again.
How often should you bleed radiators?
British Gas emphasises the importance of bleeding your radiators, highlighting that it’s a crucial method to keep your energy bills low and your home more efficient overall. They recommend that you bleed your radiators every few months, particularly after extended periods of not using any heating, like after the summer months.
Regularly bleeding your radiators can help reduce the strain on your boiler and ensure that your home is being heated efficiently, which is what you want. A warm home and saving money are the best outcomes, after all.
What should you do after bleeding your radiator?
British Gas has provided some advice on what to check once you’ve bled all the radiators in your house. They recommend: ” First, you need to check your boiler pressure. While it will decrease a bit after bleeding radiators, you want it to be between 1.0 to 1.5 bars when it’s switched off and approximately 2 bars when it’s on.”
If the pressure is too low, you’ll need to re-pressurise your boiler, but they assure that this process is “easier than it sounds”. Once you’ve done this, your heating should be functioning properly throughout your home.
