If you own gas central heating, at some point, you will have to bleed radiators to release trapped air, whether you like it or not. But can anybody do this, or do you need to call in a plumber or heating engineer?

The simple answer is yes, you can do-it-yourself, and it is straightforward. And in this day and age of ever-increasing utility bills, it is also a cost-effective and money-saving idea that will improve the efficiency of your central heating system and efficiency of your radiators.

Firstly, if you have a gas boiler that controls your central heating system through pipes around your house or flat, then hot water will likely be in your radiators. These pipes can have little holes which let air in, causing bubbles that stop the hot water from flowing effectively.

This is what bleeding a radiator refers to. These do not need to be bleed for any electric radiators (that use heating elements) or a standalone oil-heated radiator.

So once you confirm you have a radiator that uses hot water, this is the guide you need. You only need one special tool named quite aptly a Radiator Key which can be purchased at any hardware store for roughly £2, a flathead screwdriver, a jug or tray and an old cloth or towel in case of any spillages.

Then it’s simply a case of turning the radiator bleed valve on each radiator to release the air trapped inside with a satisfying hissing sound until hot water comes out (or cold if you were smart enough to read our instructions below).

Will It Really Save Me Money?

It has been proven that if you bleed your radiators regularly, it will optimise the productivity of your boiler by reducing the amount of air in your central heating system, which in turn reduces the pressure in the boiler, meaning that the heating does not have to be turned up so high in order to heat your home.

Put simply, the less work your boiler has to do to pump the heat into your radiators, the less it will cost to keep you warm.

Some radiators can be bled with a screwdriver rather than a radiator bleed key

How Do I Know That The Radiators Need To Be Bled?

Firstly, you do not have to wait for any tell-tale signs as it is always good to get into the habit of giving them a good service once a year and the optimum time for that is in Autumn just before you turn your central heating back on for those long winter months.

Not only is this good practice, as the radiators will be cool enough to work on without scalding yourself, but the inactivity in the system quite often causes air to enter, which is the main issue we need to remedy.

The signals that the radiator needs bleeding are quite easy to spot, so keep an eye out for the following:

• The top of the radiator is cold when the heating is switched on or cold spots in general
• The entire radiator is cold when the heating is switched on
• Strange and persistent gurgling noises when the radiators are hot
• Mildew forming on walls around your home as this is a sign of condensation

If you have any of the above issues, it is time to get your tools out and start saving money.

A radiator bleeding key (square shaped) and valve (square with the facility to use a flat head screwdriver if required) usually at the top of the radiator

How To Bleed A Radiator

I cannot state how easy this entire process is in comparison to any other plumbing or heating jobs that arise in your house. You really do not need a heating engineer to help you with the task of bleeding radiators as it is an easy do-it-yourself task that any novice can carry out.

This is an easy step-by-step guide on how to bleed a radiator to help you get the most from your central heating and save you money at the same time:

1. Make sure your heating is off, and the radiators are cold.
2. Hold an old cloth, towel, jug, or tray under the bleed valve, and insert the radiator bleed key.
3. Turn anti-clockwise until air starts escaping (you will hear a hissing noise). You can use a flathead screwdriver to bleed a radiator without a key. Just place the flat head into the notches of the bleed valve.
4. When water starts to escape, turn the key clockwise to re-tighten the valve.
5. Repeat on other radiators that need attention.
6. Turn your heating back on and check if your radiators are now heating up correctly.

Top tip: If you are bleeding more than one radiator, start with the one furthest away from your boiler. If you live in a two or more-storey house, start with the downstairs radiators before repeating upstairs.

Now Check Your Boiler Pressure

The process of bleeding radiators can cause the pressure in your boiler to drop, so you will need to reset this to the appropriate level.

Your boiler pressure should be between 1.0 to 1.5 bar, so if it is less than this, you will need to top it up.

This, again, is an easy exercise if you follow the step-by-step guide:

1. Switch off your boiler and allow it to cool down
2. Double-check that both ends of the filling loop are attached
3. Open both valves to allow cold water in
4. Wait for the pressure gauge to reach a maximum of 1.5 bar
5. Close both valves (one at a time)

Alternatively, if you are not confident with this stage of the process, then check out one of the many video guides available online such as How To Top Up Your Boiler Pressure – Bing video

That is the job completed, and your central heating system will keep you warm and happy without the expense of calling out a heating engineer and will enable you to conduct this straightforward do-it-yourself maintenance project year after year or at any time it is necessary.

Top Tip: If your pressure gauge ever gets above 2.5 bar, you need to call an engineer.

What Happens If I Do Not Bleed My Radiators?

Lack of care will ultimately result in an ineffective heating system that could lead to your central heating not reaching your preferred temperature, even when turned up to the maximum.

We cannot stress how important it is to bleed radiators on a regular basis, as any form of preventative servicing measures can drastically reduce the need to pay out for expensive repairs. If your heating system is working to its total capacity, it will save you money on energy bills and possible costly plumbing work.

Does Bleeding A Radiator Save Money

At this moment, we are all under pressure to think about how cost-effective we can be when it comes to our utility bills, and anything that can help us reduce costs will benefit us.

As yet, there are no official figures for how much money we can save with this type of simple home maintenance, but it will be highly likely noticeable in your gas bills throughout the coming months.