Tips for Carlow homeowners on heating your home efficiently this Winter

As temperatures begin to drop, homeowners in Carlow are being urged to check their radiators and boilers to ensure their heating is working efficiently. 

The team at Vidalux.co.uk have shared the importance of bleeding radiators as well as tips on how to retain heat in the home.

With energy bills on the rise, households are being given tips on how to get the most out of their central heating ahead of the colder months.

Bleeding radiators and checking boiler pressure ensures heating is working properly and can help reduce energy waste and save money on bills throughout the autumn and winter.

The experts also advise moving any furniture that is currently blocking radiators to allow heat to circulate and warm up the room properly.

For radiators on external walls, they suggest placing foil behind them to help redirect the heat back into the room.

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Andy Ellis from Vidalux.co.uk said: “Now is the time to check radiators and boilers to ensure they’re working properly before the cold really settles in. 

“Things like cleaning and bleeding radiators keeps your heating system working effectively and efficiently.

“Another great trick is to place reflective foil behind the radiator to prevent the heat from escaping through external walls. The foil will help redirect the heat back into the room which should help you save on energy bills in the long run. 

“You’ll also want to consider moving any furniture that is blocking radiators. Having things like sofas and beds in front of the radiator means they’ll be absorbing most of the heat instead of allowing it to circulate freely around the room.”

Top six tips for getting the most out of your radiators this winter:

• Bleed radiators

Bleeding your radiator removes pockets of air that prevent hot water from circulating properly. If you notice cold patches on your radiator, it may need bleeding.

To do this, turn off your heating and allow the radiator to cool down. Then, use a radiator bleed key to turn the valve at the top of the radiator. Place a towel underneath to catch any drips. You will hear a hissing sound as the air escapes, once this stops, retighten the valve and you can turn your heating back on, also check the pressure gauge on your boiler. 

• Use reflective foil

Reflective foil placed behind your radiator helps redirect heat back into the room, allowing it to recirculate effectively.

This keeps heat in the room rather than letting it escape through the walls, reducing energy waste and potentially saving you money.

• Clean your radiators

Keeping your radiator clean not only improves its appearance in your home but can also help increase its efficiency. 

When dust and dirt accumulate between the grooves in a radiator, it can hinder the transfer of heat, causing the radiator to heat rooms slower. As a result, it won’t perform to its full potential, leading to reduced efficiency. Using a large pipe cleaner or duster can help you get behind the radiator.

• Check for sludge

Sludge can accumulate inside the radiator from rust and dirt, particularly if it hasn’t been used for a while. This build-up can block heat transfer, causing the radiator to heat rooms less efficiently.

Remove sludge by draining the radiator and attaching a hosepipe to the valve to flush out the sludge. 

• Check boiler pressure

Boiler pressure is crucial for the circulation of water throughout your home, ensuring that both hot and cold water flow properly through the pipes.

High boiler pressure can strain the system, potentially leading to failure. However, most boilers are equipped with a safety feature called a pressure relief valve (PRV), which automatically shuts down the system to prevent damage when pressure gets too high.

Low boiler pressure can affect the heating process, preventing your radiators from warming up correctly and potentially causing both the hot water and heating system to stop functioning altogether.

• Move furniture away

Furniture blocking your radiators can restrict heat from spreading into the room. By moving the furniture away, you allow warm air to circulate freely, improving the overall heating efficiency in the space.

Additionally, furniture placed too close to radiators can absorb the heat, preventing it from reaching the rest of the room.