Overview
- Consumer group Which? advises keeping thermostatic radiator valves below three in most rooms and reserving higher settings for the room with the main thermostat, noting that setting all valves to five can drive up costs.
- British Gas recommends bleeding radiators that are cold at the top and then checking boiler pressure, which should be around 1–1.5 bars when off and roughly 2 bars when running.
- Cleaning specialists say dust trapped inside radiator fins can impede heat circulation and claim a quick hairdryer or vacuum clean can boost output, with some suggesting potential bill reductions of about 25%.
- Heating consultants warn that trapped air and sludge can slash system efficiency by roughly 20–25% and say bleeding, balancing or a professional flush may be required, with one set of combined fixes touted to save up to about £1,480 a year.
- Low-cost steps such as reflective foil behind radiators, moving furniture and drying racks away from heaters, and using heavy door curtains to cut draughts are being promoted as immediate ways to retain heat as Ofgem’s price cap stands at about £1,755 a year.