designerradiators

Oh no! There’s no denying it. We are well and truly in the grips of winter now. The regular morning ritual of de-icing has been going on for a few days now. It’s definitely time to switch on the central heating system. However, it’s important that you check the system to make sure it’s winter ready.

Below, we are going to walk you through the various things that you should be doing in order to ensure your radiators keep you nice and warm this year. Remember, the more efficient your radiators, the cheaper your electricity bill will be, so this is very important.

Step 1: Turn on the System
The first thing that you will need to do is turn on the radiator system and make sure that each radiator is working correctly. To do this, make sure that you adjust the temperature valve on all your radiators to the open position.

Step 2: Checking Each Radiator
Wait for fifteen to twenty minutes, until the system has had time to heat up, and then walk around and check each individual radiator.

You are checking for any cold patches or uneven distribution of heat. If you feel a cold patch on your radiator then there is usually one of two problems going on:

1.    Your radiator needs bleeding.
2.    Your radiator needs flushing.

Step 3: Working Out Which Issue Is Causing the Problem
It’s actually very simple and straightforward. If the cold patches are at the top or middle of the radiator, then there is air in the system and the radiator needs bleeding. If the cold patches are at the bottom, then there is debris in the system and the radiator needs flushing.

Step 4: Bleeding the Radiator
If you need to bleed the radiator, you will need to locate the bleed key – if you don’t have one, you can buy one from your local DIY store. They’re universal.

Allow the system to cool down a little. Take a cloth and hold it underneath the bleed valve. The bleed valve is usually at the top right hand side of the radiator, although you can sometimes find it on the left hand side.  

Slowly turn the key until you hear a hissing noise. This is air leaving the system. Keep it open until the hissing stops and water begins to come out.

(If no water comes out, then you might have to allow a little in via the expansion tank).

Step 5: Flushing the Radiator
Unless you’re a professional plumber, you should leave flushing radiators to the experts. If you think you need to clean the radiator with a flush, then contact your local specialist. Make sure that you choose one that has a good reputation, as flushing can actually damage central heating systems when done incorrectly.

It’s better for you to pay a little extra for someone who has the necessary skills, experience, and track record, than to gamble who may or may not be good at what they do.

We hope that you have enjoyed this article. If you are interested in buying a new radiator, please visit designerradiatorsdirect.co.uk