As a bitter cold snap tightens its grip on Britain this week, households across the nation are reaching for the thermostat. Yet cranking up the heating often leads to frustration as warmth seems to disappear before it ever properly heats the room.
The Simple Shelf Solution
A plumbing specialist from Your Plumber has shared a remarkably straightforward yet effective tweak to combat this. The expert advises that to "channel the warmth into the room" more effectively, you should install shelves directly above your radiators.
This clever intervention works by disrupting the natural upward path of hot air, preventing it from simply rising and being wasted against the wall and ceiling. Instead, the shelf helps to deflect the heat back into the living space, warming it up faster and more efficiently.
Reflect Heat and Clear the Way
Another recommended DIY hack involves a common household item: aluminium foil. The professional suggests covering a thin piece of card with tin foil and placing it behind the radiator.
This creates a reflective surface that bounces heat back into the room, rather than allowing it to be absorbed by an external wall. This can significantly speed up the warming process and help maintain a comfortable temperature for longer.
It is also crucial to ensure radiators are not obstructed. Moving furniture like sofas away from radiators is essential, as these items can absorb vast amounts of heat that is meant for the air in your room.
The Critical Step of Bleeding Radiators
Alongside these hacks, experts emphasise a fundamental maintenance task: bleeding your radiators. This process removes trapped air pockets that can cause cold spots, typically at the top of the radiator, and severely reduce heating efficiency.
You can check if bleeding is needed by feeling your radiators when the heating is on; if they are warm at the bottom but cool at the top, it's time to act.
Mark Ingram, a technical gas and plumbing tutor at Engineering Real Results (ERR), highlighted the urgency. "As time goes on and the temperatures get cooler, the demand will only get higher," he warned, noting that people may face long waits for a professional engineer.
He added, "If when you touch all of the radiators you notice any cold spots, you might need to bleed air out of the system, which is an easy job people can do themselves." For more complex issues, he strongly advises consulting a registered Gas Safe engineer.
Implementing these simple measures—from the shelf trick and foil reflector to regular bleeding—can make a substantial difference. They help maximise the output from your central heating system, potentially reducing both your energy consumption and your bills during this chilly period.
