Residential properties can be heating using a variety of appliances. One of the efficient heating appliances for smaller living spaces is a radiator. Radiators are large metal coils that are heated. As the temperature of the metal increases, heat is radiated out into the surrounding environment. It's important that you know your radiator is working as winter draws near. Take action to troubleshoot your radiator quickly if it will not heat up.
1. Check the system as a whole.
Before you can properly assess the performance of an individual radiator, you need to know how your home's heating system as a whole is functioning. Fire up your central heating system and check each of the radiators in your home.
If you have multiple radiators that are not heating up properly, the problem could lie with the central heating system itself. These larger problems will require the help of an experienced HVAC technician to repair. If only a single radiator seems to be having issues heating up properly, you can take additional steps to restore the function of that radiator.
2. Bleed the radiator.
Once you have determined that your heating problems are limited to a single radiator, you can try bleeding the radiator to restore functionality. Air can become trapped within the radiators in your home as they lay dormant during the summer months. Once you turn on your central heating system, the trapped air will be forced to the top of the radiator.
You will notice that the bottom of the radiator appears warm while the top portion of the appliance stays cold to the touch. Each radiator is equipped with a bleed screw. Turn the screw until you hear a hissing sound. This is the trapped air escaping. When you no longer hear the hissing sound, tighten the bleed screw and wait for the radiator to heat fully.
3. Check the valves.
If the whole radiator is cool to the touch after turning on your central heating system, the problem likely stems from the valves servicing the radiator itself.
There are valves on both the left and right sides of each radiator within your home. These valves need to be opened fully for your radiator to heat properly. Open the valves to restore heat to your radiator.
A thermostatic valve could also be the source of your heating issues. Make sure the thermostatic valve is turned on. If this doesn't solve your heating problems, the thermostatic valve could be seized and need replacing. Contact a service, like Scott's Heating & Air Conditioning Services, for more help.
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