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The radiators are on holiday
At this time of year, when the days are getting longer and sunnier, the radiators can take a break for several months. However, in order to ensure that they work efficiently and economically in the autumn we must follow a few simple tips in order to maintain them in good condition.
Radiators give off heat not through a heat element like heaters (pdf) but through hot water from the boiler using a pipe system. This means that air can sometimes enter the circuit, especially if it is switched off for a while, which reduces its efficiency. In order to avoid this, it is sufficient to purge the radiators, a task that is performed automatically with some models and is manual with others.
How to purge them
If we want to extract the air pockets that have got inside the radiator, firstly we must make sure that it is cold and the heating system is switched off. This is due to the fact that when there is no movement in the circuit, the air remains in the top of the radiator, making the job easier. For every radiator in the house we must first turn off the water tap connecting it to the boiler, this is usually a wheel at the top, and then find the purger, which is generally at the bottom, and unscrew it using a screwdriver or a wrench.
Once this is open, water will start to come out so it is necessary to place a container underneath the purger so that the floor is not ruined (not much will come out so a small pan will be sufficient). It must be left open until the water starts to flow consistently, without gurgling. This means that we have extracted the air pocket from inside the radiator and it will now work at full capacity. It is not recommendable to force the valves as this may cause damage.
Cleaning radiators
As well as purging before switching the system back on, throughout the year it is recommendable to clean the radiators regularly so that they do not rust and are not covered in grease and dust which affect their appearance and eventually their efficiency. A good way of doing this is to hoover them using the vacuum nozzle. Then we can use a cleaning product containing ammonia and detergent.
If rust has already appeared we will need to wet the affected area using a metal brush soaked in turpentine. The next step is to dry the affected area with a cloth and then paint it so that it looks the same as the rest of the radiator and does not clash.
Finally, although radiators have become commonplace in all homes and are practically another decorative element thanks to the increased use of design criteria, there are different types of radiator covers which enhance their decorative function throughout the year.
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