How to bleed radiators.

If you ever find your radiators are cold to the touch or are not heating up as expecting, the likelihood is they will need bleeding. You would do this by using a radiator key to release air which is preventing the water in the radiator from heating up properly and could be contributing to increased energy bills in your client’s home. Before starting, make sure the heating is off, and all radiators are cold. Use an old cloth or a jug underneath the radiator bleed valve, just in case any water escapes and turn the radiator key until you hear a hissing sound – this will be the air escaping from the radiator. When you start to see water escaping, retighten the valve. Work your way around the radiators which need doing, starting from the one which is the furthest away from the boiler to the one closest to the boiler to make sure you remove as much air as possible from the system. Then you will be able to turn your heating system back on to make sure everything is working as expected.

What size radiator do I need?

The right size radiator will depend on the size of the room, how the room is used, and the types of doors and windows the room has. This is easier to calculate with a BTU calculator, which will take in all these factors and can give you an idea of the type and number of radiators you will need in the room so that it warms up effectively and maintains a consistent heat throughout the space. Having too many radiators, or if the radiators are too big, can make heating costs spiral. Whilst too few radiators, or radiators which are too small, will result in the heating needing to be on for longer.

What is a BTU?

BTU is the shortened version of a British Thermal Unit. This is a measurement used for the amount of energy it takes to heat one pound (1lb) of water by one degree Fahrenheit. It’s primarily used within radiators to determine the size of radiator you will need for the room you are putting it in. Using a BTU calculator is the easiest way to make sure the radiator you have selected is going to be the right one for the space.

How to change a radiator.

If your radiator is not getting hot or it’s making too much noise, it could be a sign that it’s time to replace it. You would do this by making sure that the central heating and water has been turned off in the home, then wait for the radiators to cool down. Then you will need to drain the system by turning the radiator valve off and turning the cap nut underneath the lockshield cap until you can’t any more. Remember the number of turns you had to make, as you will need to adjust the new radiator lockshield by the same number to allow for water to flow through the radiator. Open the radiator bleed valve with a radiator key and place old towels or a bucket to catch any water that comes from the old radiator. When the old radiator has been fully drained, you will need to unscrew the connection between the radiator and the valve on each side before lifting this off the wall. Once the old radiator has been removed, you will be able to fit the new one. Make sure you have the right radiator brackets in place so that the new radiator fits properly and then set the new radiator’s lockshield and radiator valve to the set up from the old one. You will then be ready to turn on the water and heating for the client’s space to check it’s all working.

How often should you bleed radiators?

To get the most effective heating from your radiators, it’s best to bleed them once a year just as the weather starts to get cold. But if you or your clients are finding a radiator isn’t warming up as quickly as normal, or if there is a gurgling or banging noise from the radiator, that’s when you know it will need to be bled. Regular maintenance of radiators can keep energy costs lower through the colder months of the year. Make sure you keep a radiator key within your toolbox so you can easily bleed a radiator if you or your client see or hear any of these issues.

How do you balance radiators?

Balancing radiators means that all of the radiators in a room heat up to a similar temperature at a similar time. To make sure they are balanced, turn the valves so that they are on full heat and turn on the central heating. Time how long it takes each radiator to warm up. When you know how long this is, you will be able to adjust the valve of each radiator until you are getting a similar warming effect throughout the room. Start by turning down the valve of the radiator which warms up the fastest if there are multiple radiators in the room. Doing this will help manage a client’s energy bills so that they are not overheating a room to compensate for another radiator which may need bleeding.

How to paint a radiator.

If a radiator is looking a little tired, painting it can save you having to fit a new one if it’s working as you would expect, and allow it to fit into the décor of a room or become a focal feature if your client prefers. Turn off the heating and make sure your radiator is cold before attempting to paint it. Make sure the radiator is properly prepped for painting by cleaning it first. A sugar soap is a great product to use to remove grease and dirt from your radiator as part of your prep. Once your radiator is clean, you need to use a radiator paint which is heat resistant and can protect the radiator from everyday knocks and bumps. Keep your paint strokes in the same direction to prevent streaking and soon you will have a radiator that looks brand new.

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