UK pensioners will feel the cold more severely this year as energy bills soar and the winter fuel allowance is snatched away from millions.
Heating your home is set to cost an extra £149 a year from October after energy regulator Ofgem revealed a new price cap.
To add further pain, the Labour government also announced that it is snatching the Winter Fuel Allowance – worth between £250 to £600 – from pensioners this year for those who don’t qualify for it, such as if you are on benefits.
But energy expert Noel Gillis from Home Mechanics has shared a step-by-step guide on how to do one simple thing that could save you money and keep your central heating system running smoothly – bleeding your radiators, which can shave off around £90 from your heating bill.
Noel explains that when air gets trapped in your radiators, they fail to circulate heat properly.
This means that, despite paying full price for your heating, you’re not getting the right amount of warmth in return. Your heating system will also use more energy to compensate, driving up your fuel bills.
Follow his easy step by step guide below.
Three things you need to bleed a radiator
1. A radiator bleed key
These are available at any DIY shop or online if you don’t have one to hand. If you have a modern radiator (built in the last 30 years), a flat-headed screwdriver will also do the job just as well.
If your radiator was produced more than 30 years ago, it might’ have a bleed valve that requires a different type of bleed key, called a ‘clock key’. You’ll usually need a clock key between sizes 8 and 12 to open this kind of valve.
2. A cloth or rag to catch water
As soon as you’ve bled the air out of your radiator, it will start dripping water, so have a cloth ready to catch it.
3. Old towels and dust sheets
Bleeding radiators will inevitably cause some water spillage, so it’s a good idea to lay down towels or dust sheets to protect your floors from damage, especially if you have pale carpets.
If you have older radiators, the water inside them may have reacted with rust and dirt and become discoloured over the years.
Six easy steps to bleed a radiator
Before you start the bleeding process, make sure that your radiator is part of a hot water heating system, rather than a steam one.
1. Turn your central heating on and off
First, determine which radiators in your home require bleeding. It’s crucial not to bleed a radiator that doesn’t need it. If you attempt to bleed a radiator without trapped air, water will immediately spill out when the bleed valve is opened, which can rapidly decrease your boiler’s water pressure and potentially cause your entire system to fail.
Once the central heating is on, inspect your radiators to see if any are not heating properly. Cold spots or radiators that are warm at the bottom but cold at the top usually indicate air blockages. It’s advisable to wear light gloves while checking the radiators to avoid burns. Also, listen for rattling or gurgling sounds, which are further signs that bleeding is needed.
Take note of which radiators need bleeding. A helpful tip is to mark malfunctioning radiators with post-it notes or stickers, so you know where to begin. After identifying the radiators that require bleeding, be sure to turn off the central heating.
WARNING: Bleeding radiators while the heating is on can result in serious injury, as scalding water may burst from the bleed valve once the air is released.
Once all radiators are completely cold, you can begin bleeding them.
2. Protect against water spills by laying down towels
Water spillage is unavoidable when bleeding radiators, no matter how quickly you close the bleed valve after releasing the air. You need to allow some water to drip out to ensure all the trapped air has escaped. To protect your floors or carpet from water damage, place towels or dust sheets around your radiators. You can also use a container to catch any spills.
3. Open the radiator bleed valve with a bleed key
Using a radiator key (or a flat-headed screwdriver if you don’t have one), fit the key into the square slot in the centre of the valve. When you insert the key, you should feel it click into place. If you have an older radiator, the bleed valve might look different, requiring a specific clock radiator key.
4. Bleed the radiator
Turn the key counterclockwise (using a rag for grip if the valve is tight). You should hear a hissing sound, which is the trapped air escaping from the radiator. This allows the water in the system to rise, which will happen quickly, so be ready with a rag to catch any drops.
Never turn the valve more than half a turn when opening it, and be prepared to close it quickly. Modern radiators can release water in a jet, and you want to minimise spillage and avoid low water pressure.
5. Repeat the process for all radiators
After bleeding one radiator, move on to the others in your home that need it. Start with the radiator furthest from the boiler. In a multi-story property, begin with the most distant radiator on the ground floor and work your way up, finishing with the radiator closest to the boiler.
6. Check your boiler pressure
Bleeding radiators will cause some water loss, which can lead to a drop in your heating system’s pressure. Check the boiler pressure immediately after bleeding the radiators, as low pressure can make your heating system inefficient, increasing energy consumption and heating bills.
To check the boiler’s pressure, locate the water pressure gauge, typically on the front of the boiler. If you have a hydraulic gauge (one that displays pressure with a dial), the needle will fall below 1 if there isn’t enough pressure. For digital gauges, a flashing reading will indicate if the pressure is too high or low.