Irish households urged to do one thing before September ends to slash bills
Carrying out some routine maintenance could save you cash this winter
Irish households are being advised to carry out some routine maintenance that could cut energy bills.
Noel Gillis, from Home Mechanics, is uring people to bleed their radiators and has shared a step-by-step guide. Doing this helps keep costs low and your central heating system running smoothly.
Noel explains that when air gets trapped in your radiators, they fail to circulate heat properly. This means that, despite paying full price for your heating, you're not getting the right amount of warmth in return. Your heating system will also use more energy to compensate, driving up bills.
READ MORE: All Irish homes can apply for €300 grant to charge electric cars - how to get it
READ MORE: Electric Ireland announces price reductions with average customer set to save over €100
Bleeding a radiator is a straightforward task that you can carry out on your own. Just make sure you take all the recommended safety precautions and follow all the steps properly.
What you need to bleed a radiator
- A radiator bleed key - these are available at any DIY store or online, if you don’t have one to hand. If you have a modern radiator (built in the last 30 years), a flat headed screwdriver will also do the job just as well. If your radiator was produced more than 30 years ago, it might have a bleed valve which requires a different type of bleed key, called a ‘clock key’. You’ll usually need a clock key between size 8 and 12 to open this kind of valve.
- A cloth rag to catch water - as soon as you’ve bled the air out of your radiator, it will start dripping water, so have the cloth ready to catch it.
- Old towels and dust sheets - bleeding radiators will inevitably cause some water spillage, so it’s a good idea to lay down towels or dust sheets to protect your floors from damage, especially if you have pale carpets. If you have older radiators the water inside them may have reacted with rust and dirt and become discoloured over the years.
Six steps to bleed a radiator
Before you start the bleeding process, make sure that your radiator is part of a hot water heating system, rather than a steam one.
Turn central heating on and off
First, determine which radiators in your home require bleeding. It's crucial not to bleed a radiator that doesn't need it. If you attempt to bleed a radiator without trapped air, water will immediately spill out when the bleed valve is opened, which can rapidly decrease your boiler's water pressure and potentially cause your entire system to fail.
Once the central heating is on, inspect your radiators to see if any are not heating properly. Cold spots or radiators that are warm at the bottom but cold at the top usually indicate air blockages. It's advisable to wear light gloves while checking the radiators to avoid burns. Also, listen for rattling or gurgling sounds, which are further signs that bleeding is needed.
Take note of which radiators need bleeding. A helpful tip is to mark malfunctioning radiators with post-it notes or stickers, so you know where to begin. After identifying the radiators that require bleeding, be sure to turn off the central heating.
WARNING: Bleeding radiators while the heating is on can result in serious injury, as scalding water may burst from the bleed valve once the air is released. Once all radiators are completely cold, you can begin bleeding them.
Protect against spillages by laying down towels
Water spillage is unavoidable when bleeding radiators, no matter how quickly you close the bleed valve after releasing the air. You need to allow some water to drip out to ensure all the trapped air has escaped. To protect your floors or carpet from water damage, place towels or dust sheets around your radiators. You can also use a container to catch any spills.
Open the radiator bleed valve with a bleed key
Using a radiator key (or a flat-headed screwdriver if you don't have one), fit the key into the square slot in the center of the valve. When you insert the key, you should feel it click into place. If you have an older radiator, the bleed valve might look different, requiring a specific clock radiator key.
Bleed the radiator
Turn the key counter-clockwise (using a rag for grip if the valve is tight). You should hear a hissing sound, which is the trapped air escaping from the radiator. This allows the water in the system to rise, which will happen quickly, so be ready with a rag to catch any drops.
Never turn the valve more than half a turn when opening it, and be prepared to close it quickly. Modern radiators can release water in a jet, and you want to minimize spillage and avoid low water pressure.
Repeat the process for all radiators
After bleeding one radiator, move on to the others in your home that need it. Start with the radiator furthest from the boiler. In a multi-story property, begin with the most distant radiator on the ground floor and work your way up, finishing with the radiator closest to the boiler.
Check your boiler pressure
Bleeding radiators will cause some water loss, which can lead to a drop in your heating system's pressure. Check the boiler pressure immediately after bleeding the radiators, as low pressure can make your heating system inefficient, increasing energy consumption and heating bills.
To check the boiler's pressure, locate the water pressure gauge, typically on the front of the boiler. If you have a hydraulic gauge (one that displays pressure with a dial), the needle will fall below 1 if there isn't enough pressure. For digital gauges, a flashing reading will indicate if the pressure is too high or low.
For the latest cost of living news and tips from the Irish Mirror, head to our dedicated page
Related
Share this page
Guest Posts by Easy Branches
