Households may be forgetting a simple cleaning job, causing their energy bills to rise.
Dust and debris can build up inside radiators, reducing airflow and limiting heat circulation, meaning that it takes longer for rooms to warm up. This may result in households turning up the heating to a higher temperature or keeping it on for longer.
“Radiators act like dust magnets," says Nancy Emery, cleaning expert at Tap Warehouse.
“As warm air rises, cooler air is drawn towards the radiator, carrying dust, pet hair and everyday debris with it. That then settles inside the unit, even in clean homes.”
Research by Enertek International found that this hidden inefficiency can increase energy use by up to 25 per cent each year, equating to an extra £440 spent on energy bills.
Emery says: “By February, radiators have been working hard for weeks on end. Dust builds up gradually, so people don’t always notice the change, they just sense that rooms aren’t warming up as quickly as they used to.
“When that happens, it’s common for people to turn up the thermostat or leave the heating on for longer, not realising the issue may simply be dust blocking heat output. Over time, that extra demand can quietly add to energy use."
What’s more, dirty radiators can cause heat to be distributed unevenly, causing moisture to linger in colder areas of the room. This increases the possibility of condensation, which can lead to damp and mould.
Thankfully, it takes just ten minutes to clean a radiator and reduce dust build-up.
Here’s Tap Warehouse’s cleaning steps:
1. Turn the heating off and allow radiators to cool down
Switch off your central heating and set the thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) to zero. Let your radiators properly cool down before you start cleaning to avoid burns and to prevent warm air pulling in more dust.
2. Vacuum from every angle
Vacuum around, behind and inside the radiator using an extendable hose if you have one. Take off any top grills or covers to get inside internal channels. A hairdryer on a high setting can assist blowing out stubborn dust from behind.
3. Brush the inside
If you have a radiator brush, use it to loosen dust inside the fins. Alternatively, you can use a length of wire with a cloth attached. Put a towel or dust sheet underneath to catch falling dust.
4. Wipe external surfaces
Clean the radiator panels, valves and pipework using warm water and washing-up liquid. A damp cloth or sponge can help wring out excess water to avoid drips.
5. Clean the surrounding wall and floor
Wipe down the walls behind radiators, skirting boards and nearby floors to prevent loosened dust getting back inside.
6. If cleaning doesn’t help
If your radiator still doesn’t seem to be working as well as it once did, you might need further maintenance, such as a professional flush.
