At Heatable, we’re obsessed with keeping your home toasty, your bills in check, and your radiators purring like well-fed cats. They’re the MVPs of winter warmth, but if they’re not up to snuff, you’re left with cold feet and a grumpy bank account.
With energy prices still doing the hokey-cokey, it’s time to sort them out. Are they inefficient? Why are they slacking? And how do you get them firing on all cylinders, or know when to bin them for something better? We’ve got the lot covered, from bleeding them to fancy fans.
Boiler old, unreliable and costing a fortune in repairs? Simply answer these questions, get your fixed price and you could get a new one installed as quick as tomorrow.
Quick Takeaways:
Radiators Can Waste Heat: Modern ones hit 95% efficiency; old or neglected ones limp at 50-60%.
Why They’re Off: Air, sludge, blocks, or dodgy setup hold them back.
Fix Them Up: Bleed, balance, flush, fan, insulate, filter, clean, position, check pressure, add valves.
Upgrade if Old: Swap ancient rads for modern, efficient designs.
How Inefficient Are Radiators?
Top-notch modern radiators can push out 95% of their heat, but old relics or ones bogged down by issues might only manage 50-60%.
That’s your warmth - and cash - going AWOL.
“An inefficient radiator’s like a leaky bucket, most inefficiencies are fixable, though, so don’t despair”. - Patrick Garner, Gas Safe Engineer.
Why Are My Radiators Inefficient?
Cold patches, slow warm-ups, or rooms hotter than a curry house, while others freeze? Blame trapped air, sludge, furniture in the way, or an unbalanced system. Old designs, poor positioning, or low boiler pressure can tank performance too.
How Do I Improve Radiator Efficiency and Performance?
Here’s your toolkit to get those radiators smashing it:
#1 Bleed Your Radiators
Over time, air and/or sludge and other debris can build up within the central heating system, and this can result in characteristic cold spots in your radiators.
When these cold spots develop, it’s likely that the time has arrived for you to release this trapped air by bleeding your radiators.
Check out our complete guide on how to bleed your radiators here.
#2 Balance the System
Uneven heat? Adjust the lockshield valve - quarter turn near the boiler, further out - for even distribution.
If your radiators are unbalanced, then it’s likely that radiators in your home will heat up at different speeds.
This means that some areas of your home will take longer to get warm, which can be frustrating, especially in the depths of winter.
Rebalancing your radiators means adjusting your radiator valves so that they all heat up at the same speed. Check out the step-by-step guide to balancing your radiators here.
#3 Flush Out Sludge
Cold bottoms mean sludge. Feel for cold spots; if it’s bad, get a pro to power flush debris out. Sludge is a quiet efficiency assassin.
For example, a power flush is a popular choice - it’s essentially a deep, intense cleanse of your heating system and type of boiler, which aims to improve the quality of your system’s water by removing sludge, rust and other random bits of crud.
These troublesome residues can cause issues if left to fester in your system - and let's be honest, festering crud is never a good thing.
In fact, poor-quality heating water is one of the leading causes of boiler breakdowns in the UK.
#4 Install Radiator Fans
Clip-on fans boost heat circulation by pushing warm air into the room faster. They’re a bit niche, but they work a treat in big spaces.
#5 Insulate Properly
Exposed pipes lose heat before it reaches your radiators, and uninsulated walls behind them soak up warmth like a sponge. Wrap hot water pipes in foam lagging, cheap from any DIY shop, by measuring, cutting, and clipping it on.
For walls, especially external ones, stick up radiator reflector foil to bounce heat back into the room.
The Energy Saving Trust says reflectors on uninsulated external walls can cut heat loss by up to 70%.
#6 Add MagnaClean Filters
MagnaClean is like a superhero shield for your heating system. It’s a magnetic filtration device designed by the clever folks at ADEY, with over 5 million UK homes relying on it to keep sludge at bay.
Models like the MagnaClean Professional 2XP sit on your boiler’s pipework, using a powerful magnet to yank out sludge, rust, and debris, aka magnetite, the silent killer of heating efficiency.
Think of it as a bouncer for your pipes - letting clean water through while kicking muck to the curb. It’s a simple, affordable way to stop sludge in its tracks, perfect for keeping your system humming along.
#7 Keep Them Clean and Clear
Dust traps heat - blast it out with a hairdryer on cool (towel down!). Move furniture, tuck curtains back, and position radiators on outer walls for maximum effect.
#8 Check Boiler Pressure and Add TRVs
Low pressure (below 1 bar) slows down heating - top it up via the filling loop.
In order to function correctly, your boiler needs a particular balance of water and air to ensure the pressure in the system is adequate for when water is demanded from the boiler – essentially when you switch on your heating or hot water.
Too little pressure (not enough water within the sealed system) will result in an inadequate flow of water to heat your radiators or water.
Prefer video? Watch our YouTube video below to find out how to top up your boiler pressure:
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) let you control each rad’s temp, saving energy. TRVs are like a dimmer switch for heat.
Should I Upgrade My Radiators?
If your radiators predate the internet, it’s time to trade up. Modern designs use aluminium and bigger surfaces to heat faster with less fuel. Old cast-iron or undersized radiators can’t cut it, especially in large rooms.
New radiators aren’t just a pretty face - they’re efficiency beasts. Size them right (check BTUs with a pro) and pair with a Heatable boiler for peak performance.
Wrap-Up: Toasty Vibes, Tiny Bills
There you have it - radiators don’t have to be heat-wasters, and you don’t have to shiver through winter.
Bleed, balance, flush, fan, insulate, filter, clean, and tweak them into shape - or upgrade if they’re past it.
At Heatable, we’re here to make heating a doddle. Need a hand, a filter, or a spanking new setup? Give us a shout, let’s keep your home cosy and your bills bearable!
Next Steps For Your New Boiler Journey:
When planning to install a new boiler for your home, there are several important factors to consider. Make sure to refer to the following guides to help you make informed decisions:
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