Heating warning as these 'spots' on your radiator could be costing you money
You may not realise that your radiators could be costing you more than they should to run.
Experts have issued a warning as “spots” on your radiator could be costing you money. You may not realise but failing to treat your radiators could be a costly mistake.
As the weather turns colder, most households rely more on their heating to stay warm. But simply turning the thermostat up may be costing you more than you realise.
According to the team at Plumbworld, bathroom and kitchen experts, a few common winter heating mistakes can reduce efficiency, put extra strain on your boiler, and waste energy - all of which hits your wallet. Among these mistakes was ignoring cold spots on radiators.
Plumbworld said: “Cold patches usually mean trapped air or sludge build-up. Left untreated, they reduce heating efficiency and strain the boiler.
“Bleeding the radiators is an easy DIY fix, often costing just a few pounds for a radiator key.
“Persistent cold spots may mean the system needs a professional flush. Keeping radiators fully heated ensures energy is used efficiently and avoids wasted fuel.”
How to bleed a radiator
To know if a radiator needs bleeding, British Gas says you should:
- Turn on your heating and wait for it to warm up
- Feel each radiator – if it’s hot at the top and cold at the bottom, it doesn’t need bleeding
- If it’s hot at the bottom and cold at the top, turn off the heating and prepare to bleed it
To bleed the radiator:
- Keep your old towel and container handy for each radiator you go to
- Locate the valve and use your radiator key (or screwdriver) to open it by turning it anti-clockwise. If it’s tough to open, use the cloth to get a better grip
- Only open it slightly until you hear the hissing noise – that’s air escaping
- Once the sound stops and water starts streaming out, make sure you catch the water in the container
- Now it’s time to re-tighten the valve
- Clean up any excess and move on to the next one
Read more: Wood burner update as experts break silence over ‘false’ worry
Read more: Bedrooms will stay warm without heating or radiators if you make simple change
Other potential heating mistakes, according to Plumbworld, include:
- Blocking radiators with furniture or laundry
- Cranking the thermostat too high
- Turning the heating on and off repeatedly
- Not insulating pipes or loft spaces
- Forgetting regular boiler maintenance
The experts added: “By spotting and fixing these common habits, homeowners can cut costs, improve efficiency, and keep heating systems running smoothly all winter - without major upgrades or big spending.
"Simple awareness and small adjustments make a real difference to energy bills and comfort.”
