Ireland is in the middle of a cold snap and plumbers say a simple €0 radiator trick could quickly improve the heating of your home.
Keeping homes warm without sending heating bills through the roof has become a top priority for Irish homes during this cold snap(Image: Getty Images)
Temperatures have taken a sharp dip across Ireland in recent days. Some areas have already seen sprinkles of snow and a low temperature/ice weather warning has been issued for 10 counties ahead of -3C temperatures causing widespread frost and icy stretches tonight.
As households brace for the cold snap, keeping homes warm without sending heating bills through the roof has become a top priority. While most of us know the basics of keeping houses cosy and comfortable, during severe cold spells like this one, some may find rooms don’t heat up as quickly as needed.
Plumbers are now urging Irish households to try a €0 radiator hack that can dramatically boost heat output in minutes, and it doesn’t require any special equipment of expensive tools. In many cases, issues with radiators comes down to a very simple problem that can be fixed with a little patience.
If you’ve noticed that one room in your house is always freezing while others heat normally, experts say your radiators may not be working in sync. According to Plumbing Force, the key is “balancing” your radiators so they heat evenly throughout the home – something many Irish households have never done.
Balancing radiators is slightly more technical than a quick bleed, but plumbers say it can make a major difference, especially when temperatures drop like they’re doing now. The process involves adjusting radiator valves, switching the heating on and off and keeping note of temperature changes in the pipework.
For the job, you’ll need a radiator bleeding key, a lock shield valve adjuster or adjustable spanner, a screwdriver and a digital thermometer or multimeter with a thermometer function – all items many Irish homes already own or can borrow.
Plumbing Force advises that you should balance your system at least once a year, or whenever necessary, to keep everything running efficiently in the cold months, Express reports.
Here are the steps to balancing your radiators:
Turn off your heating systems.Bleed your radiators.Go through your radiator valves.Create a basic map of your radiators.Turn the heating system on and take notes.Turn it off again and wait until it’s cold.Turn the heating back on again.Adjust the valves on the first radiator .Check the temperature of the radiator.Check the temperature of the pipes.Repeat until you finish all radiators.
If these DIY steps don’t solve the problem, you may be dealing with a bigger issue – something especially common in older Irish properties or homes with ageing pipework. In that case, plumbers warn not to push your luck.
Plumbing Force said: “Always call professional plumbers when in doubt. If there is uneven heating even after bleeding, signs of corrosion, or leaks in the pipework – do not attempt to do it by yourself. These are not DIY friendly. Contact your local plumbers from Plumbingforce for these extreme cases.”
For a more in depth step-by-step, you can visit the Plumbing Force website.
Subscribe to our newsletter for the latest news from the Irish Mirror direct to your inbox: Sign up here.