Radiator Maintenance
Did you know that it’s recommended to replace your radiators every fifteen years? If they are older than fifteen years, they are unlikely to be heating your home effectively and you would benefit from upgrading to new, more energy efficient ones. We’ve got different designs in both
vertical and
horizontal radiators, and slimline options that will tuck away out of sight. Or consider our
designer options in different colours and styles along with a range of accessories that will look fantastic as well as keeping you warm. If your radiators aren’t ready to be replaced yet but they could do with some maintenance, then bleeding and flushing them should be top priorities. By bleeding your radiator, you can reduce air that becomes trapped inside. Air is much less efficient at conducting heat compared to water so will create cold patches on the surface of the radiator which don’t seem to heat up properly, no matter how high you turn the temperature up. On the other hand, flushing a radiator removes the sludge that builds up over time through tiny particles in the water and rust combining together. In the same way as air building up, this stops your radiator from heating properly. The added danger of this sludge is that it may pass through the pipes and onto the boiler where it can create serious and expensive damage. It can be difficult at first glance to know whether the problem is air or sludge, but we would recommend doing both annually. Your radiators and boilers will thank you for it. For more information on radiator maintenance, take a look at our blog post on
radiator problem solving. If you've had a go at these maintenance ideas and your radiators are still not heating effectively, it may be time to replace them, even if you're not up to fifteen year mark.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves
These clever valves self-regulate by expanding to block the flow of water when they get too hot. Once installed, you can set the temperature for a room and if it drops below that, the radiator will automatically turn on without you having to do anything. Though a little more expensive than regular radiator valves, they can be an economical way to regulate the temperature in your home. Check out our range of
Thermostatic Radiator Valves.
Consider Smartening Up Your Home
One way to ensure your home is warm is by controlling it through your phone or tablet. Smart heating systems allow you to remotely control the heat and also specify which rooms to heat up and which to leave cold. They can even work on a timer. Though the initial set up requires an investment, the advanced level of control can lead to significant savings, not to mention the comfort of coming home to a warm house on those dark winter evenings. For more information, read our previous
blog post on our smart home range.
Draught proofing your home
Finally, don’t let any of your precious heat escape. Doors often warp with time to create gaps at the bottom which will suck the hot air out and let in a chilly draught. Identify potential draught creators and target them with excluders that will plug those gaps and look good at the same time. Other culprits for letting the icy weather sneak in include letterboxes and even keyholes, but these can be easily tackled with covers which can be installed yourself. UK Radiators stock a wide range of radiators and accessories, including thermostatic radiator valves and smart home heating systems to keep your home warm this winter. Order online for fast UK delivery with most orders placed before 1pm eligible for next day delivery, completely free of charge.
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