Simple £1 radiator trick could save you hundreds | Personal Finance | Finance

A simple device could potentially save you hundreds of pounds every year, while improving your home’s heating efficiency. Government statistics show that more than 70 percent of UK households rely on radiators as their main source of heat.

However, without regular maintenance, these radiators can develop a number of problems. One of the key ways to ensure that your radiator is heating your home effectively is to prime it.

Air often gets trapped in radiators, causing them to take longer to heat the room. A clear sign of this is that the bottom of the radiator is warm and the top is cold. However, you will likely need a radiator wrench to properly bleed the radiator.

Luckily, these keys can be bought for as little as £1 on sites like Amazon and eBay. This small investment in a tool could potentially save you over £100 a year, depending on when your radiator was last serviced.

It is vital to ensure that your radiator is heating your home properly. The NHS recommends keeping your home at a minimum temperature of 18°C ​​for health and warmth.

He also advises Brits to keep their windows closed on winter nights as breathing in cold air can increase health risks and the likelihood of respiratory tract infections. The citizens’ advisory also recommends that people with medical conditions that might get worse in colder climates should not install a thermostat belt.

How to bleed a radiator.

First, turn off the heating. Given the significant amount of hot water that radiators can contain, it is essential to turn off the heating and wait 30 minutes to an hour before attempting to drain the water. Draining water from a radiator can be a challenge, so be sure to place towels and any containers that may collect water (such as bathtubs or buckets) under the pipes on either side of the radiator.

You will need to close the radiator thermostatic valve and shut-off valve on both sides of the radiator by turning them clockwise – in some cases you may need a wrench for this step. Write down how many strokes it takes to fully secure them.

Once the thermostatic radiator valve is completely closed, you can begin to disconnect and loosen the nut connecting it to the radiator, causing water to leak. Next, locate the release valve and have the valve key ready.

Now you can prepare the radiator valve key, insert it into the bleeder valve at the top of the radiator and start turning it counterclockwise. You will hear a hissing sound indicating that trapped air is being released.

Allow a small amount of water to drain the trapped air, when the bleeding from a small trickle turns into a steady stream, tighten the valve again. Once the trapped air has been released, you can reopen the valves on either side of the radiator and repeat this process for any radiators that require attention.

You can then turn your heating back on and reap the benefits of a more efficient heating system.