On a cold winter’s day, there is nothing more enticing than coming home to find your home warm and cosy. However, if your central heating system is not working as efficiently as it should be, it could be time to bleed your radiators, power flush your system or replace the entire system with a more modern one.
Most older style radiators will eventually start to corrode on the inside. Many years of water running through the radiator can react with the metal, causing small flakes of corrosion to settle at the bottom of the radiators themselves, which make for nasty cold spots, trapped air blockages and higher energy bills.
Central heating engineers recommend that the average lifespan of a radiator is between 8-12 years. This could mean that any radiators in your home that are over 10 years old have stopped working efficiently are costing you more for a poorly heated household. Before you decide to replace them, make sure you follow our maintenance steps.
Can I do anything to extend the lifespan of my radiators?
The lifespan of your radiators will be greatly increased if you keep them well maintained. Over time, air can build up in the system preventing them from getting warm, and sediment can settle in the pipework. There are two common ways to help keep radiators working well for longer. These are:
Bleeding the radiators
By bleeding your radiators at least once a year, you are helping to prevent trapped air from building up inside the system. Every time water flows through the system small amounts of air enter with it. This air then collects at the top of the radiators which can prevent the higher parts of the radiator from filling with warm water, making it feel cool to touch and reducing its heating capability significantly.
Using a special radiator bleeding key, or a flat head screwdriver for some of the more modern systems, you can gently release some of the excess air in the radiator. There will also be some water that escapes with it, so you should keep a towel or container close by just in case. You may also need to check the pressure levels on the boiler after bleeding your radiators to ensure that it has not fallen below the recommended PSI.
Powerflushing the system
Powerflushing clears out the entire system and is a job that should only be undertaken by professionals. The process flushes out sediment and scale that has built up inside the pipework, making your radiators less efficient and unable to reach a satisfactory temperature.This can significantly increase the efficiency of your heating system, as well as help to improve the lifespan of your radiators.
Consider replacing your old radiators with energy-efficient alternatives
Radiator technology has dramatically improved over the last decade. This, combined with more energy efficient boilers, water heating systems and building materials has led to a new generation of radiators that have a longer lifespan than ever before.
Modern day radiators are more efficiently designed, with improved internal water channelling that requires less hot water, keeping your energy bills reduced and potential damage to the system significantly diminished.
These types of radiators are also smaller, and much nicer to look at than bulky old units, meaning you will be less likely to want to hide them behind a radiator cover, letting the heat flow freely out into your room. Choosing a double panel convector radiator will mean it can emit more heat and faster than an older, single panel radiator.
Radiator Maintenance and Installation
DHS is one the largest and most reliable provider of radiator maintenance and installations in the South West. If you would like to find out how we can help your heating to work better for longer or if you’d like to replace your radiators, speak to us today.
