Leeds Central Heating Tips: How to Balance Radiators

At Direct Heating, we like sharing tips and this week’s post is all about radiators. Balancing radiators in particular and how to do this safely and properly. But before we get to the ‘’How to’’ part let’s start with some of the basics. So here is why radiators need to be balanced and what the benefits of doing so are…

Why Balance Radiators?

Balancing the radiators in your home ensures that each room shares the same level of heating. For instance, if you’ve ever walked into a room and felt cold it’s likely the radiator is unbalanced. Unbalanced radiators cause all sorts of problems and they can make other rooms feel stuffy. They can also go cold when we need them the most such as the stormy nights of this past week. Balancing your radiators will ensure they heat up at the same speed as each other. It’s as simple as that and so if bleeding doesn’t help a balance would be your next logical step.

What Does it Involve?

When it comes to balancing your radiators, it’s a pretty simple job but you will need to gather a few special tools in order to do it right. To begin with, you’ll need a radiator bleed key, lockshield valve key and screwdriver. A digital thermometer will also help to observe the radiator temperature.

How to Balance Radiators in 5 Easy Steps

Next up here’s the best bit where we talk you through the process. So let’s begin balancing your radiators for a great temperature in every room.

1. First of all, you’ll need to turn off the heating because all radiators must be completely cold. It also helps if they’ve recently been bled for temperature readings to be accurate.

2. Next, it’s time to expose the radiator valves and when done so, open them up. To do this you will need your lockshield valve key and get twisting in an anti-clockwise direction.

3. Once all of the radiator valves have been opened, switch the heating back on. Then make a note of the time it takes each radiator to heat up before turning it off again and allowing them to go cold. Finally, you may switch the heating back on and close the lockshield valve on the quickest-heating radiator. Some people also like to wait a day or so before performing the second half of this task.

4. Now that your best performing radiator is warm you’ll need your digital thermometer. So take the temperature from the pipework next to the valve and do the same from the pipework on the opposite side of the valve. By observing the difference in temperature you can then start to open the lockshield valve gradually. What you are aiming for here is a difference of 12°c between the two areas exactly.

5. Once you have balanced your warmest radiator you can balance the rest of them too. For your coldest radiator, you may even find the lockshield valve needs to be opened completely.

Book Your Leeds Central Heating Service

So what a result and well done to you for balancing all of your radiators! But if you need a hand with any of the above, please don’t hesitate to give us a shout. With all of our services now including checks on the boiler and radiators too, book yours in by clicking here or call for any advice you need – 0113 212 8077. Thank you for reading.