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I cut my energy bills by £510 a year with simple radiator trick – it’s helped me keep my heating off
Plus we explain how you can save money on your bills for free
KAMILAH Hale had tried everything to improve the temperature of her home - but a simple radiator trick was the only thing that helped.
She had covered her windows to stop heat from escaping, bought draught excluders and even tried heating her walls - but nothing worked.
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That was until on a last-ditch attempt, she decided to have her radiator system flushed.
This procedure cleans out the inside of your central heating system to remove sludge and rust, which can build up over time.
Cleaning out the system improves the efficiency of your radiators, which means you can turn on your heating for less time and save money.
Now, the 35-year-old from Southeast London, who lives in a two bedroom ground floor maisonette, can run her heating for 40% less of the time while keeping her home at the same temperature as before.
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Although flushing her radiators cost £450, the procedure has knocked £80 a month off her bills, saving her £960 a year.
Kamilah, who runs the education company Wordier, said: “I work from home and have Reynaud’s syndrome, which means I have poor circulation, so I am cold all of the time.
“I had four layers on in the house plus a onesie and my heating on and I was still cold all the time. I also had my heating on for around 11 months of the year.”
She said her office at home was a particularly cold room, which made working from home difficult.
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Desperate for a solution, she called in a plumber, who suggested that she have her system flushed as her radiators were not very hot.
Kamilah took his advice and had her system flushed in July last year.
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Plumbers removed her radiators and flushed water through the pipes to remove slush and other debris from inside.
The whole process took a couple of hours and she could feel the benefits instantly.
“It changed my life,” Kamilah said.
“I just went out for the morning and when I came back the whole system had been flushed and my heating has been great ever since.”
What energy bill help is available?
There's a number of different ways to get help paying your energy bills if you're struggling to get by.
If you fall into debt, you can always approach your supplier to see if they can put you on a repayment plan before putting you on a prepayment meter.
This involves paying off what you owe in instalments over a set period.
If your supplier offers you a repayment plan you don't think you can afford, speak to them again to see if you can negotiate a better deal.
Several energy firms have schemes available to customers struggling to cover their bills.
But eligibility criteria vary depending on the supplier and the amount you can get depends on your financial circumstances.
For example, British Gas or Scottish Gas customers struggling to pay their energy bills can get grants worth up to £2,000.
British Gas also offers help via its British Gas Energy Trust and Individuals Family Fund.
You don't need to be a British Gas customer to apply for the second fund.
EDF, E.ON, Octopus Energy and Scottish Power all offer grants to struggling customers too.
Thousands of vulnerable households are missing out on extra help and protections by not signing up to the Priority Services Register (PSR).
The service helps support vulnerable households, such as those who are elderly or ill.
Some of the perks include being given advance warning of blackouts, free gas safety checks and extra support if you're struggling.
Get in touch with your energy firm to see if you can apply.
“Now my radiators are so much hotter than they have ever been. I’m putting my heating on for hours less per day because it is actually warming up the house properly.”
Kamilah said she has noticed the biggest difference in her bathroom radiator.
She said: “My towel's dry within half an hour now whereas I could have the heating on for several hours before and they would still be damp.”
How does flushing your radiators save money?
You may need to flush your system if your radiators are cold to the touch, your central heating system is slow to power on or your boiler is unusually noisy.
Flushing works by removing sludge, debris and limescale from your radiators and pipes, which improves the efficiency of your heating system.
Wear and tear over time can deteriorate your pipes and radiators.
Dirt and rust are produced as a result and they end up in the water which flows through your radiators and boiler.
This sludge can obstruct your central heating system, which can cause blockages and make the pipes and radiators less efficient.
This means that it works less well and you need more energy to maintain the same level of heat.
Flushing your system removes the rust build up by pumping water and chemicals and high speed through your pipes.
By doing so it dislodges debris and deep-cleans your pipes.
Power flushing can also help to extend the life of your central heating, which could save you money in repairs or replacements.
Experts suggest you should power flush your system around every five years to make sure it is working at maximum performance.
How much it will cost depends on the size of your home and the number of radiators you have.
Prices start from around £450 for a two-bedroom house, according to tradesperson website Checkatrade.
Other ways to improve your radiator efficiency
Another method to improve the efficiency of your radiators is to bleed them.
You may need to bleed your radiators if they make strange noises, have cold areas across the top or do not heat up at all.
Sometimes trapped air in your radiators can prevent hot water from circulating effectively.
This can lead to cold spots and reduced heating efficiency.
Bleeding your radiators releases any trapped air, which allows hot water to flow easily and evenly through your system.
It is important to turn your heating off and make sure that your radiators are cool before you bleed them.
Check if your radiators are hot at the bottom and cold at the top as this can be a sign they need bleeding.
To do so you need a radiator bleed key, cloth, old towel and container.
Put a towel under your radiator then locate the valve on the side.
Use a radiator key or screwdriver to open it by turning it anti-clockwise.
You can use your cloth to get a better grip if you need to.
Open it slightly and listen for a hissing noise, which is a sign of the trapped air escaping.
Once the sound stops and water starts to pour out then catch the water in your container or absorb it with your towel.
Re-tighten the valve then move on to the next radiator.
Another option is to place foil behind your radiators.
Doing so can reflect heat into your living spaces, which can save you money on your heating bills.
Prices start from around £7.50 and the foil can be picked up from most DIY stores.
Avoid using kitchen foil as its shape will change if it is exposed to heat, which can cause it to crinkle over time.
To install it, simply measure your radiator then cut strips of radiator foil to the same size.
Push it into the gap between your radiator and the wall.
Clean your radiators regularly to make sure that you are feeling their full benefit.
You should clean your radiators at least once a year and avoid letting dust build up.
Doing so could shave up to £225 off your energy bills, according to heating expert Drench.
Make sure your radiators are cold before you attempt to clean them.
Next, use a hairdryer to blow out excess dust from behind the unit.
You can also use a hoover to suck out any dirt that is hard to reach.
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Then wipe down the front of the unit with soap and water.
To do this fill a bucket with warm, soapy water and use a sponge to clean down the front of the radiator.
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