MOVE

How to: Bleed radiators

If your house was savaged by the Beast from the East, you might want to tune up your heating. Here, an expert explains some simple ways to get the best out of your system
Radiator keys are not expensive, although with new systems you can usually use a flat-head screwdriver instead
Radiator keys are not expensive, although with new systems you can usually use a flat-head screwdriver instead
ALAMY

The recent spate of chilly weather had many of us sending thanks to our ancestors for having the foresight to invent central heating. Twitter was also awash with proud home owners letting the interweb know they had managed to bleed their radiators. Desperate times called for some not-so-desperate measures. If you were one of those who suffered through the chill for fear of tackling the unknown, then perhaps you should attack them now. The process of bleeding your radiators isn’t as invasive as it sounds.

Diagnose the problem
Shane Henderson, of the Heating and Plumbing Association of Ireland and Kilkenny-based Henderson Heating, says the first thing you need to do is determine if your radiator is cold at the top, bottom or in its entirety.