Radiator expert reveals why turning radiators OFF in unused rooms can cost you more money & what to do instead
WITH energy bills rising and the temperature in the UK dropping, many of us are looking for ways to stay warm while saving money.
Many try savvy ways to save their cash - like turning off unused radiators.
However, Ben Price, founder of Heatable, warns that turning them off, even if they aren't in use, can actually “cost you more” instead of reducing energy bills.
The expert said: “Turning off your heating in unused rooms by turning the radiator's thermostatic radiator valve to zero or off can save you energy, but it could also cost you more money because ultimately they’re always directly related.”
While this can be the case, he said it depended on when your boiler was made and installed.
For those with an older G-rated and non-condensing boiler, typically installed before 2005, turning off radiators in unused rooms may indeed lead to savings.
READ MORE ON HOMES
But those who have a modern condensing boilers usually fitted after 2005, they can work more efficiently on lower flow temperatures.
Flow temperature refers to the water temperature within the flow pipe of a heating system or a specific section of central heating.
To maintain the perfect temperature you can invest in a smart modulating thermostats, which can automatically regulate the ideal flow temperature for your home.
You can also manually adjust the flow temperature but always adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines when tweaking the flow temperature.
Most read in Fabulous
One way to tell if you have a modern condensing boiler is to look for a “white pipe” coming out from the bottom of the unit.
The reason behind this setup is tied to how contemporary condensing boiler technology functions, rather than losing heat through the flue pipe, it gets recycled back into the heating system.
With lower operating temperatures, modern boilers are designed for efficiency. Ben points out that simply lowering the flow temperature can be an “easy way to increase the efficiency” of your home heating system.
He pointed out that there are “two ways to achieve this” - through the use of a modulating thermostat and by increasing the surface area of your radiators.
"Essentially that means that the unused radiators or radiators in rooms not being used should be left open or on," said the expert.
"Not doing so will make your boiler have to work harder and burn more energy to reach the desired temperature of the radiators you have left on.
“This is all due to the fact that while the radiators are less hot, they are still capable of heating your home to the desired temperature.
“So, the thing to remember is if you are not using radiators in unused rooms, you still want to leave them on to allow water to continue to flow through them or the other radiators and ultimately your boiler will have to work harder.”
How to bleed a radiator
By home experts at Auction House London
- Check for cold areas: When the radiator is on, feel for any cold areas. If there are uneven temperatures, it’s time to bleed.
- Set-up: Place an old towel under the bleed valve to catch any water.
- Release the air: Insert the radiator key into the valve and turn it anti-clockwise a quarter turn - you’ll hear hissing as air escapes. It’s also important to keep a mug handy for any excess water.
- Close the valve: When the hissing stops and water starts to leak, turn the key clockwise to close.