How to bleed radiators?

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How to bleed radiators?

In the radiators, which have not been used for several months, there is an accumulation of air, which affects their correct functioning. With the arrival of cold, radiators and radiators should work at their maximum effectiveness to bleed radiators. To remove this unwanted air, the radiators can be vented through a special vent valve. Here’s how to vent the radiators.

With the arrival of the first cold weather and the ignition of the heating in the house, the radiators and radiators will likely not heat up evenly. This happens because there is an accumulation of air inside the radiators, which creates a bubble effect, which prevents the hot water from flowing correctly throughout the appliance. This could also cause excessive and unnecessary energy consumption.

But how to vent the radiators?

Venting radiators: This is an effortless and quick operation to perform. Just follow these practical tips. Before starting to explain how to bleed the radiators, here are some tips:

1. I can’t find the radiator vent valve to bleed radiators

The vent valve is located on the top and outside the radiator, on the opposite side of the thermostatic valve.

2. Should the purging be done with the radiators on or off?

The purging of the radiators must be done cold before lighting the boiler.

3. Can radiators be vented without a vent valve?

All radiators have a vent valve. Only very old models, up to the seventies, do not have a breather valve. If this is the case, go to a specialist dealer in your area to buy the same valve but with a vent. You can then replace it.

4. Use the key to open the vent valve to bleed radiators

If you do not have it or have lost it, know that the unique valve key costs a few euros. If you use alternative tools, you could damage the valve.

How to bleed the radiators: Procedure

STEP 1: Open all radiators.

Just turn the appropriate knob (thermostat) of each unit anticlockwise until the end of its stroke. The knob is generally located in the upper part of the radiator, corresponding to the copper pipe that comes out of the wall and carries the hot water to the radiator.

STEP 2: Radiator vent

It would help if you did this maneuver on all the radiators in the house, starting with the one closest to the boiler. Equip yourself with a basin to collect the splashes of water, which will follow once the air runs out. The radiator vent valve, or bleed valve, is generally located in the upper part of the radiator and, in any case, on the opposite side to that where the thermostat is located.

Take the key and open the valve counterclockwise. You will hear a “pfff.” This is the pressurized air that comes out. Let stand and splashes of water escape until they become a consistent stream of water, devoid of air. At this point, all the air has gone out, and you can close the valve again.  Carry out the procedure on all the heaters in the house.

STEP 3: Check the pressure on the boiler

If you have independent heating, you can check the pressure gauge on your boiler. It is a small display that indicates the water pressure of your heating system. The gauge needle must position between 1 and 2 bar. If the pointer indicates 2.5 or more bars, you will have to repeat the whole operation from step 1, as this means that there is still air in the radiators. On the other hand, if it indicates a value below 1, you will have to act on a small butterfly knob under the boiler. By opening it, you will see that the gauge needle will begin to rise.

STEP 4: Check the operation of the radiators

The procedure for radiator vents finish. There is nothing left to do but check the correct functioning of the radiators. Turn on the boiler and start the heating. Check all the heaters in the house and make sure they heat up evenly. If there are still air bubbles, you will notice that some of the heaters will have a hot part and a tricky part. At that point, you will have to repeat the bleeding procedure for that radiator.

Also, read the Difference between private and public companies.