Making sure your radiators work before the really cold weather kicks in is vital.
As the past few weeks have been chilly, you may already have put the heating on - and it's probably the first time in a couple of months that you've had to do this.
Because the radiators have been sitting unused for so long, you might find they aren't working as well as they should. Thankfully, heating experts at BOXT have created a simple guide on how to identify if your radiators need bled, and how to do it yourself.
Andy Kerr, founder at BOXT, told Hull Live : "Bleeding your radiators can help you to achieve a more efficient and environmentally-friendly home."
When you should bleed your radiator:
- if it's cold at the top
- if there is condensation or wet patches either above or around it
- if it makes strange noises when the heating is turned on
Step-by-step guide for bleeding radiators
- Switch the boiler on and let the radiators heat up. Doing this will let you know which ones actually need worked on.
- Carefully check your radiator for any cold spots. If any of them make a strange noise when heating up, have cold patches or they're cold at the top, it is definitely worth bleeding them.
- Once you know which radiators have problems, switch the boiler off and let them cool down. You should never try to bleed a radiator when the heating is on, as you could injure yourself with the hot air or water.
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Bleed your downstairs radiators first, then move on to upstairs.
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Grab an old towel and container and lay them out underneath the valves so that any water doesn't land on the floor.
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Open the radiator valve by twisting the key anti-clockwise - make sure to wear gloves or a cloth on your hand while doing this.
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Turn the valve only until you hear the hissing noise instead of opening it fully. Let all the air out until you're left with a trickle of water leaking from the valve.
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Use a cloth to soak up any water from around the radiator or valves so that they don't rust.
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Check your boiler pressure, as it could have dropped slightly after bleeding. For reference, it should be around 1.0 - 1.5 bars when switched off and can rise to around 2 bars when switched on.
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If the pressure looks normal, carry out a 'heat test' by switching it on and checking all the radiators again. There should be no more cold patches, meaning you and your family can enjoy the warmth as well as save money on bills.
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