3 Radiator Maintenance Tips to Keep You Warm This Winter

December 2, 2019
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Radiators are important heat distribution systems that make your life immensely easier in winters. As the name suggests, radiators radiate heat, transmitting it from one medium to another.

The two most popular types of radiators are steam radiators and hot water radiators. Steam radiators are an essential part of every home’s central heating system. They facilitate the movement of heat through a pipe and distribute the generated heat across the home.

Hot water radiators, on the other hand, are a more modern solution that relies on water heating for radiating purposes.

No matter what type of radiator you use, though, the best way to make sure it’s running efficiently is to keep it well-maintained! Here are a few tips to follow this winter:

Check the positioning

The way you place and position your radiator has a huge impact on its effectiveness. Most homeowners make the mistake of placing their radiator under windows, and then blocking it with heavy curtains. While heavy curtains are a great way to prevent heat losses, they must not come in the way of the radiator.

An easy way to avoid this is to fit the radiator foil behind the radiator so it bounces heat back inside the room. Other than cleaning up and servicing it, your radiator maintenance service will also help you position it strategically.

Maintain the boiler

All hot water radiators are accompanied by boilers; this is where the heat generation takes place. They form an essential component of the radiating system and, hence, need to be taken care of.

Drain the water from the boiler frequently to avoid sediment buildup. Moreover, keep on checking the water quality and see if it’s causing any corrosion in the tank. If you see signs of rusting, add chemicals to control deposits.

Check for leakages and get them repaired. Other than that, get the boiler inspected annually to make sure the pressure valve is operating fine.

Radiator Maintenance

Time to bleed!

No, we don’t mean that literally. Radiator bleeding is a common technique that evens out its air distribution. Your radiator needs bleeding if the top area is cooler than the bottom area. This happens when there is air trapped inside the radiator that keeps on displacing the hot water. As a result, the radiator may stay cold, even if the heating system is turned on.

The purpose of bleeding the radiator is to release the trapped air and allow hot water to flow freely. If your home has two floors, you need to start bleeding the radiator downstairs and then move up.

The process involves opening up the bleed screw and letting the air pass out carefully. However, it’s a lot more technical and complicated in reality. We recommend getting a company for Radiator repair Wicker Park to do it for you.

Whether your radiator needs a repair or re-installation, Global Heating and Cooling from Chicago is your go-to Radiator repair Chicago. Get in touch for a quote. 

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