Despite being overworked, underappreciated and overlooked, the humble radiator is responsible for heating over 26 million homes throughout the UK. After years of being left in the cold, the radiator now has its chance to glow following the launch of National Radiator Day, which takes place on 1 October 2012
Independent research carried out by ICM revealed that out of over 26 million households in Great Britain, almost a third do not service their boiler at least once a year, leaving them vulnerable when it comes to winter. Surprisingly, 88% do not have energy saving radiator panels in place, which means that almost 21 million households are missing out on the opportunity to save up to 20% on their heating bills. Other findings include:
- · Out of 11 regions in Great Britain the Scots are the best in the class when it comes to getting the most from their radiators – Londoners come last
- · 42% of households do not bleed their radiators at least once a year
- · Over half of Great Britain’s households (55%) do not clean behind and in-between radiator fins at least once a year, reducing a radiator’s efficiency
- · 36% of households do not have thermostatic radiator valves fitted to their radiator
Created by Joulesave, the company behind HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels, National Radiator Day aims to highlight the importance of the radiator and make sure that households throughout the UK are well equipped to combat increasing energy costs this winter.
To celebrate the launch of the campaign Ronnie the Radiator, the nation’s favourite radiator and National Radiator Day mascot, has launched ‘Ronnie’s Lucky Seven’ – a list of seven top tips on how homeowners throughout the UK can get the most from their radiator and ensure that they are heating their homes as efficiently as possible.
1. A serviced boiler is a happy boiler
Servicing your boiler well in advance of the winter months will put you ahead of the game and make sure that you and your family won’t get caught out in the cold snap. Not only will servicing your boiler make it run as efficiently as possible but it will help save on heating bills and prevent costly repairs in the future.
2. Let it Bleed
Trapped air is a radiator’s biggest problem as it limits the amount of heat circulating around the system. Bleeding a radiator when the central heating is turned off using a bleed key is the best way to make sure that hot water circulates throughout the entire radiator – not just in isolated patches. Simply bleed the system until the air has left the radiators and your home will feel toasty in no time.
3. Get a thermostat
Thermostatic Radiator Valves are an efficient way of preventing heat wastage. Once fitted to your radiators they will detect the air temperature in the room and, if required, automatically switch the radiator off. Remember, turning your heating down by one degree can reduce heating bills by up to 10%*
4. Budge that sludge
Are your radiators not as warm as they used to be? Are they warm around the top and sides yet cold in the middle and bottom? If so, then you may have a build up of radiator sludge, which means a colder home, higher energy bills and an increased chance of damaging your central heating system. All you need to do is flush them with a few basic tools. Alternatively, a plumber can quickly and cost efficiently flush them for you.
5. Bust the dust
We hoover our homes, polish the furniture and dust the picture frames, but we rarely take a look behind our radiators. Clean radiators are more efficient radiators, so by simply cleaning the dust behind and between the convection fins of the radiators you could be saving money on your heating bills. All you need is an inexpensive radiator brush, which you can purchase from most DIY stores.
6. Don’t block your radiator
Household furniture such as beds, desks and sofas all absorb heat and inhibit airflow, so make sure that they are not blocking your radiators. It’s a simple tip that’s easy to fix – although it often gets overlooked.
7. Reflections of a radiator
Fitting radiator reflection products, such as HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels, to household radiators not only makes the house feel warmer by reflecting the heart back into the room but they can also reduce energy bills by 20%. By reflecting heat back into the room the water returns to the boiler hotter, which means it needs to fire less. They’re easy to install as you don’t have to remove your radiator and payback is reached in four months.
Bob Shire, Director at Joulesave, comments: “National Radiator Day has been launched as a fun way to draw attention to how easy and cost-effective it can be for households to save money and get the most from their home heating. As the cost of energy increases and more and more people feel the pinch, it’s never been a better time to focus on the most important heat source within a home and think about how a few simple and inexpensive changes can save money and reduce heat wastage in the long-term.”
As part of National Radiator Day 2012, Joulesave is providing everyone who supports Ronnie the Radiator by downloading the seven top tips checklist with 20% off their order of HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels.
Joulesave is also providing homes throughout the UK the chance to win HEATKEEPER Energy Saving Radiator Panels for all of their household radiators. Simply print off the checklist, fill in the details at the bottom and email or post to the address provided. All entries will be entered into a prize draw.
