Image by Bethh Yellow House Days via Flickr
If you live in the varying climate that is on offer in the UK, you will most likely be cold for a good few months of the year, if not more. It is important to make sure that you invest in not only a good heating system for your home, but one that is also efficient. As well as making that investment, you will also want to do what you can to maintain your radiators and heating system, and keep them as efficient as possible.
Investing in Radiators
You can buy cheap radiators at www.radiatorfactory.net , and there is a whole host of different styles and sizes available. You will want to make sure that you are choosing a design of radiator that is going to suit both the layout of your home, as well as the furnishings that you have. If you want a warm and cost efficient home, you will want to make sure that none of the radiators are blocked.
Increasing the Heat
When it comes to decorating your radiators, you will want to make sure that a thick layer of paint does not build up, as this will reduce the efficiency. If you applied a light coat you should be fine applying straight away; but if it is a couple of coats it will be best to strip the paint entirely, paint a primer layer, and then add your required colour.
Regular Maintenance and Checking
It is common with a lot of hot water systems, even with Edwardian cast iron radiators by Radiatorfactory.net, for air to get into the system. The air will build up over time leaving less space for the hot water, meaning less efficiency and a cold room.
With a Radiator Key, a bucket and a dry cloth, you should check your radiators every couple of weeks when the central heating system is on. Over time you will recognise patterns with certain radiators having more problems than others. Find the cap end where the key fits and place the bucket underneath, insert the key and turns slowly. You should hear a hissing sound as the air escapes and water fills back up in the radiator, but do not open the valve too much as you could end up with a deluge of water everywhere. If you do this every few weeks your home will remain cosy and warm through winter.
Reflect it Back Out
If you think about it, your average radiator is aiming a lot of its heat at the wall, which goes to waste. So an excellent way to combat this is to add a reflective layer to the wall behind the radiator. By doing this you can have a significant impact on the comfort levels of a room, and you may even be able to reduce some of your heating costs.
Along with the usual standard measures of stopping drafts and reducing energy consumption, investing in a high-quality heating system and radiators can end up saving you money in the long run. Just make sure you keep it well maintained and bleed your radiators regularly.