How to bleed a radiator
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If you've noticed that your radiators aren't as hot as they should be, or that it's taking longer than usual to warm up your home, it could be because bubbles of air are trapped in your heating system.
These pockets of air can stop the hot water in your radiators from circulating properly, reducing their efficiency and the heat they put out.
Fortunately, bleeding radiators – which means releasing the trapped air – is a simple job that you can do yourself. If you want a warmer home, lower energy bills and a more efficient heating system, you can learn how to bleed a radiator by following these steps.
1. Check the top and bottom
While the heating's on, carefully touch the radiator along its top and bottom to compare the heat. Trapped bubbles of air tend to rise upwards and collect at the top. So if your radiator's cold at the top and warm at the bottom, this could be a sign that it needs bleeding.2. Get your tools ready before you begin
You should find everything you need for bleeding radiators at a DIY shop. You might have most of it lying around the house already. But before you start, make sure you've got:
- a dry cloth
- a radiator or air key
- a small container to catch excess liquid
- and some protective glasses and gloves.