Heating with radiators, whether we use oil or natural gas as fuel, is one of the most common and widespread ways to heat our space and has been applied with very good results for many years. That is why the bodies should work properly.
We all know that the maintenance of the heating system is very important, but how many of us know that the maintenance of the heating elements is equally important? So this is a mistake we often make, we neglect to maintain the bodies as a result of which they do not function properly.
The most common problem encountered is air trapped in the heating system and consequently preventing the radiators from performing at their best.
In the case of trapped air, the main "symptoms" that appear are:
Bodies are usually cold in the upper part.
A noise is heard inside the house from the radiator.
Other times the bodies are lukewarm everywhere.
In these cases, the recommended solution is to vent the radiators. Venting the bodies is a very simple task that all of us can do and in this way we can greatly increase the efficiency of the heating system. Below you will read in detail the procedure for the correct ventilation of the bodies.
Bleed radiator with heating off.
- The first move is to make sure that the heating system is closed and the radiators are cold (thermostat closed and no hot water circulating inside the radiator bodies).
- After making sure that the heating system is closed, we can start the process. It is good to have a container handy to collect the water that comes out and some cloths to avoid dirtying the floor.
Also, it is necessary to have the special butterfly wrench or a thin screwdriver (for the newest radiators) for venting.
Many bodies have a small tap, part of the bleed valve. Make sure it faces down so that the water does not spill out of the container.
- We open the ventilation valve located at the top of the radiator and wait for all the air to leave. We understand this because when the air runs out, water starts to come out, so we close the vent valve.
- We continue the same process with the other bodies that we have identified that need airing.
- We repeat the process until all the air has left through the network.
Bleed radiator with heating on.
- The first move is to turn on the heating system and wait for the bodies to warm up enough.
- We should check that no valve has been left open. Then we should check them one by one to see if they have warmed up satisfactorily. What we need to notice is if we hear noise inside the bodies and if some of them are not heated enough.
- If some bodies have not been heated then we will have to repeat the venting process.
Now we can start the radiator venting bearing in mind that the bodies are burning so we should be careful so as to avoid any accident.
- So again we open the ventilation valve of the radiator and wait for all the air to leave and water to start coming out, at which point we close the ventilation valve.
- We repeat the process until the bodies stop making noise and are all uniformly warm.
- In the event that the radiators do not heat up while you have vented, you should call a technician.
Attention to safety!
It is good that there are no children around when venting the radiators, so that in the event of hot water being thrown there is no accident.
When does a heating system need to be bled?
- After a new heating installation, where it will be necessary to fill with water. Empty pipes and mains are very likely to have trapped air. So after a new gas, oil, heat pump heating installation it is good to ventilate the bodies.
- After a conversion to the heating network where the water had to be drained.
- At the beginning of the heating season.
- When there are the problems we have already mentioned, lukewarm bodies, noise and insufficient heating.
There are many ways to improve the heating of our home and save on heating. The most simple and inexpensive way that we can all do is to vent the radiator. Check today if the bodies in your home are working satisfactorily and if not, simply ventilate!
