As winter arrives, your home’s heating system becomes more important than ever. If your radiators aren’t performing efficiently, you could be wasting both energy and money. With just a few simple checks and some professional care, you can make sure your home stays warm and your heating bills stay low.
Here’s how to get the best performance from your radiators this winter, plus what to look out for if something goes wrong.
1. Bleed Your Radiators Regularly
Trapped air inside your heating system stops hot water from circulating properly, leaving the tops of radiators cold.
How to check: When your heating is on, feel the top and bottom of each radiator. If the top is cooler, it needs bleeding.
How to fix: Use a radiator key to slowly open the bleed valve until you hear air hissing out. When water starts to appear, close it again.
👉 Regularly bleeding radiators is one of the easiest ways to improve heating efficiency.
2. Balance Your Radiators
Do some rooms in your home heat up faster than others? That’s a sign your system might be unbalanced.
How to check: The first radiators closest to your boiler get hot quickly, while others stay lukewarm.
How to fix: Adjust the lockshield valves or have a qualified heating engineer in Leicester professionally balance the system to ensure even heat distribution.
3. Keep Radiators Clear of Obstructions
Blocked heat flow reduces efficiency.
Tip: Avoid placing sofas, furniture, or curtains directly in front of radiators. Leave at least 30–40 cm of open space.
For extra efficiency, install radiator reflector panels behind each radiator — they reflect heat back into the room instead of losing it through the wall.
4. Watch Out for Cold Spots
Cold patches or noisy radiators often mean sludge or debris has built up inside your heating system.
Symptoms:
- Radiators take longer to heat up
- Cold areas in the middle or bottom
- Gurgling sounds
Solution: A professional power flush or chemical flush will remove sludge and restore your heating performance. Always use a Gas Safe registered engineer for this job.
5. Set Your Thermostat Smartly
A thermostat between 18°C and 21°C is comfortable for most homes. Turning it up higher won’t heat your home faster — it’ll just make your boiler run longer and use more gas.
If you have a smart thermostat, schedule heating around your daily routine to save even more energy.
6. Book an Annual Boiler & System Service
To get the best from your radiators, your boiler must be running efficiently. Regular servicing not only keeps your system safe but can also prevent costly winter breakdowns.
It’s best to schedule your boiler service in Leicester during autumn, before the cold weather fully sets in.
Common Radiator Problems to Look Out For
- Uneven heating or cold spots
- Strange noises (gurgling, knocking, or banging)
- Leaking valves or rust marks
- Drop in boiler pressure
- Rooms not reaching the desired temperature
If you notice any of these issues, your heating system may need attention.
Professional Radiator & Heating Help in Leicester
Don’t let radiator problems leave your home cold this winter.
At Gas Care Plus Leicester, we provide:
- Radiator bleeding and balancing
- Power flushing
- Boiler servicing and repairs
- Full central heating diagnostics
Our Gas Safe registered engineers are experts in keeping Leicester homes warm, efficient, and safe.
📞 Call Gas Care Plus Leicester on 07704 141410
for expert radiator maintenance and professional heating services today.
