If you're finding issues with one or multiple radiators heating up, or you're finding hot and cold spots, they might need balancing.
Balancing radiators might sound like a complex task, but with a little guidance, you can ensure your home heats evenly and efficiently.
This ultimate guide will walk you through the process step-by-step, making it simple to understand and easy to follow.
What does balancing radiators mean?
Balancing radiators ensures that hot water flows evenly through your central heating system. This means each radiator in your home heats up at the same rate, providing consistent warmth throughout.
If your radiators aren't balanced, you might find that some radiators are too hot while others are barely warm, leading to uneven heating and increased energy bills.
Is there a difference between balancing and bleeding radiators?
Yes, there's a difference! Bleeding radiators involves releasing trapped air from the radiator, which can cause cold spots and reduce efficiency.
Balancing radiators involves adjusting the flow of hot water to ensure even heating across all radiators. By balancing radiators, you allow more water to flow to the colder radiators in your home and restrict the flow from radiators that are too hot.
Both processes are important for maintaining an efficient heating system, but they address different issues.
It's recommended that you bleed your radiators before balancing your system, as this will give you a more accurate temperature reading.
What you'll need to balance your radiators
Before you start balancing your radiators, gather the following tools and materials:
- Radiator bleed key: For bleeding air from the radiators if needed.
- Lockshield valve key or adjustable spanner: To adjust the lockshield valves.
- Digital thermometer or thermal imaging camera: For accurate temperature readings.
- Screwdriver (flat head): To access and adjust the radiator valves.
- Pen and paper: To note down temperature readings and adjustments.
9 steps to balancing your radiators
Now, let's dive into the step-by-step process of balancing your central heating radiators:
Step 1. Turn off your heating system
Start by turning off your heating system completely. Allow it to cool down for at least an hour to ensure accurate temperature readings.
Step 2. Familiarise yourself with your radiator valves
Identify the two valves on each radiator: the thermostatic valve (or manual valve) and the lockshield valve.
The thermostatic radiator valve controls room temperature, while the lockshield valves control the flow of water through your radiators.
Step 3. Open all radiator valves
Turn the thermostatic radiator valves and lockshield valves on all your radiators anti-clockwise to fully open them.
Thermostatic valves or older wheel-head valves can be turned by hand, but the lockshield valve needs a plastic adjuster or a spanner to open.
Having all radiator valves open allows water to flow freely through the entire system when you turn the heating back on.
Step 4. Turn the heating system back on and check
Turn your heating system back on and let it run until all the radiators in your home are hot.
Then, check each radiator to see how quickly it heats up. Note the order in which the radiators heat up.
If you live in a large home with many rooms and radiators, it might be wise to get some help noting down the order in which each radiator heats up correctly.
Step 5. Turn off your heating again and allow to cool
Once you've identified the heating patterns, turn off the heating system again and allow the radiators to cool completely.
Cooling the radiators is essential because you’re adjusting the water and heat flow in your system.
When taking temperature readings of your radiator and valves, you’ll be making small adjustments. To achieve the best results, it’s crucial to start from a completely ‘cold’ state.
Close the valve on the first radiator and then gradually open it until you reach the desired temperature.
If the radiators are already warm, it will be more challenging to balance them and reach the desired temperature.
Step 6. Go to the fastest-heating radiator
Identify the radiator that heated up first when you restarted the heating. This will serve as your benchmark for the balancing process.
Radiators nearest the boiler will probably get warm first, so take this into account.
Turn the lockshield valve clockwise on this radiator until it is closed, and then open it again by a quarter of a turn.
Step 7. Take a temperature reading
Use a digital thermometer or thermal imaging camera to take a temperature reading of the pipework connected to the lockshield valve on the first radiator. Record this temperature.
Step 8. Take the temperature of the pipework
Next, measure the temperature of the pipe connected to the valve on the opposite side of the radiator.
Slowly open the lockshield valve until there is a 12°C difference between this temperature and the one you measured earlier.
It’s important to leave a couple of minutes after each adjustment to the radiator valves for the temperature to change.
Step 9. Check each radiator in order
Move on to each radiator in your home as they appear on your list, adjusting the lockshield valve based on your temperature readings.
Aim for a consistent temperature difference across all radiators to ensure they heat up at the same speed throughout your home.
When to call in a JustFix professional
While balancing radiators can be a DIY task, some situations call for professional help.
If you’re struggling to achieve even heating or if the process seems overwhelming, it’s wise to contact a qualified heating engineer from JustFix.
Our experts offer high-quality service at affordable prices, ensuring your heating system runs efficiently and effectively. If you notice persistent heating problems, such as radiators that remain cold after balancing or significant drops in boiler pressure, it could indicate a more serious issue within your heating system.
Our teams of Fixers work nationwide to provide you with professionals for fair, fixed prices. When you book online with us, we'll match you with a qualified local heating and gas engineer who can check your central heating system at a time that suits you.
FAQs
How much does it cost to balance a radiator?
With JustFix, you can find and book an accredited heating and gas engineer to balance your radiator for just £110 p/h + VAT. There won't be any hidden costs or surprises at the end of our visit.
If your Fixer needs to purchase additional parts or materials to get things back in good working order, this might mean your final bill is slightly higher, but they won’t buy anything on your behalf without asking you first.
Not only will we send you the best-qualified and closest heating and gas engineer, but we promise to respond immediately. All work comes with our 12-month guarantee. Whatever we fix, stays fixed.
Do radiators need to be balanced?
Yes, radiators need to be balanced to ensure even heating throughout your home. Proper radiator balancing prevents some radiators from being too hot while others are barely warm, improving comfort and system efficiency.
