How to bleed a radiator
Bleeding a radiator is a process that involves releasing any trapped air from the radiator to ensure that it is working efficiently. Over time, air can accumulate in your heating system, which can cause your radiators to become less effective at heating your home. Bleeding your radiators can help to improve their performance and reduce your energy bills.
Here’s how to bleed your radiator:
Turn off your heating system: Before you start bleeding your radiator, turn off your heating system and wait for it to cool down. This will help to prevent any hot water or steam from escaping from the radiator when you remove the valve.
Locate the bleed valve: The bleed valve is usually located at the top of the radiator, near one end. It’s a small, square-shaped valve that can be turned with a radiator key or a screwdriver.
Prepare a container: Place a container or towel beneath the valve to catch any water that may come out of the radiator.
Open the valve: Using a radiator key or a screwdriver, turn the valve anticlockwise. You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes from the radiator. Once the air has escaped and water starts to come out, close the valve by turning it clockwise.
Check the pressure: After you’ve bled the radiator, check the pressure gauge on your boiler to ensure that it’s at the correct level. If the pressure is too low, you may need to top it up using the filling loop on your boiler.
Repeat the process: Repeat the process for each radiator in your home, starting with the one that is furthest from your boiler and working your way back.
Bleeding your radiators is a simple process that can help to improve the efficiency of your heating system and reduce your energy bills. If you’re not comfortable doing it yourself, you can always contact a professional heating engineer to do it for you.