As “spring-cleaning” season returns, WarmZilla has encouraged homeowners to extend their efforts to their radiators.
Matthew Powell, WarmZilla’s founder, said that neglecting radiator upkeep could result in significant financial losses with a failure to bleed radiators causing trapped air, which could leading to inefficiencies that might increase energy bills unnecessarily.
A survey by the Manufacturers’ Association of Radiators and Convectors (MARC) revealed that 24% of UK homeowners hadn’t bled their radiators in over a year, and 13% had never done so.
WarmZilla reported that over 40% of its home heating call-outs so far this year were radiator related. Many could have been avoided if some simple maintenance measures had been carried out beforehand, according to Matthew.
He said: “It feels like Spring is in the air and the arrival of a new season often signals the start of some a big Spring clean. But we want to get the message out there that the radiators in a house are worth the same attention as the carpets, the cupboards or the furniture.
“If some radiators are heating up slower than others and there’s cold spots in the ones that are functioning, then some simple maintenance can remedy these issues which will make for a happier home.”
Matthew added that bleeding radiators will release any trapped air to ensure an even heating output. Simply use a radiator key to open the bleed valve until water escapes, then close it.
He also encouraged a furniture reshuffle to remove any obstructions to allow for a proper heat circulation, while regular cleaning of dust and debris can also maintain performance.
Matthew noted that while the balancing of each radiator is also advised, involving the adjustment of valves to optimise system efficiency, a call to a heating engineer might be advisable to ensure the additional cost saving measure is carried out correctly.
He also had his say on the debate between maintaining a continuous low heat and turning radiators on and off as needed.
Matthew added: “It depends on various factors, including insulation quality and personal comfort. Generally, using a timer to heat your home only when necessary is more energy efficient. For typical temperatures at this time of year, setting your thermostat to around 18-20°C during occupied hours and lowering it when asleep or away can balance comfort and cost.
“By implementing these maintenance practices and usage strategies, homeowners can enhance radiator efficiency, leading to a warmer home and potential savings on energy bills.”