Our Step-By-Step Guide to Balancing Radiators

As we start to enter the colder months, a well-functioning central heating system is paramount. But what happens when you notice some of your rooms are warm and toasty and others remain stubbornly cold? The answer might lie in balancing your radiators.

Balancing radiators is a simple yet effective way to ensure each room in your home is heated evenly, and could potentially save you both energy and money in the long run. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll walk you through the process of balancing radiators so you can enjoy the benefits of cosy warmth throughout your home.

What does balancing radiators mean?

Before we dive into the step-by-step process, it’s important to understand what radiator balancing means. Imagine your heating system as a network of pipes delivering hot water from the boiler to each radiator. The goal is to ensure this hot water is distributed evenly, so no radiator is starved of heat.

The radiator closest to the boiler, also known as the “first radiator,” tends to receive the most hot water flow, and as a result, radiators farther down the line may not receive as much hot water, meaning less heat output.

In essence, balancing your radiators involves adjusting the flow of hot water through your heating system to ensure each radiator receives an adequate supply. By adjusting the lockshield valves, you can restrict or increase water flow to ensure a balanced heating system. Restricting the flow to the radiators closer to the boiler and increasing it to those farther away, enables you to achieve a more balanced and comfortable temperature throughout your home.

Why is balancing your radiators important?

Radiator balancing is not just about achieving a functioning heating system – it offers several other benefits, including improved comfort, energy efficiency, and potential cost savings on your heating bills.

If you’ve set your thermostat to a comfortable temperature, but certain rooms remain chilly because of uneven heat distribution, this can force you to crank up the thermostat and lead to wasted energy and higher heating costs.

By balancing your radiators, you ensure each room receives the right amount of heat output for a consistent comfortable environment, eliminating cold spots. As well as this, a balanced system reduces the strain on your boiler, which can potentially extend its lifespan and save you on costly repairs.

Before you begin radiator balancing

Before you begin to balance your radiators, you should take some time to prepare. Part of this preparation includes understanding the type of valves your radiator has. Most modern radiators will typically have a combination of the following valves:

1. Manual valves – these simple valves offer two settings: on or off, controlling the amount of hot water entering the radiator. They often feature a plain, round top for easy twisting.
2. Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) – TRVs are more sophisticated, allowing you to set specific temperature preferences for individual radiators. These valves feature a numbered dial for precise temperature control.
3. Lockshield valves – located on the opposite side of the TRV or manual valve, their primary function is to regulate the flow of water into the radiator, ensuring an even distribution of heat. They are usually concealed beneath a plastic cap and require a specialised adjuster or spanner for adjustments.

Having the right equipment to balance radiators is also a key part of preparing. Some of the essential tools you’ll need include:

• Radiator bleed key – for releasing trapped air in radiators.
• Lockshield valve adjuster or adjustable spanner – to allow you to control water flow to individual radiators.
• Screwdriver – for removing the covers from lockshield valves.
• Digital thermometer – for accurate temperature readings at each radiator.

The step-by-step guide on how to balance radiators

Once you have your tools and you know which type of radiator valves you have, you can start radiator balancing.

Step 1: Start by bleeding your radiators and turning off your central heating

The first step to balancing your radiators is to bleed your radiators. This step makes sure any trapped air within the system is released and allows for accurate temperature readings as well as optimal heat distribution.

Using your radiator bleed key, carefully open the bleed valve that is at the top of each radiator. You’ll hear a hissing sound as the trapped air escapes, followed by a trickle of water. Once the water flows consistently, close the bleed valve tightly. Be sure to have a cloth handy to catch any drips.

With your radiators successfully bled, turn off your central heating and wait for all radiators to cool down completely. This will ensure a consistent starting point for balancing your radiators.

Step 2: Open your radiator valves

Next, you should open your radiator valves fully. Find the TRV or manual valve on each radiator and turn it anti-clockwise until it stops. This allows for an unrestricted flow of hot water into the radiator.

Then, carefully remove the cap of the lockshield valve, using a screwdriver if necessary, and with your lockshield valve adjuster or adjustable spanner, turn the valve anti-clockwise. As the goal is to regulate the flow of hot water to each radiator, opening the valves fully allows you to begin with a clean slate.

Step 3: Find out your fastest heating radiator

With all valves open, you should be able to easily identify the fastest heating radiator in your home, usually the one closest to the boiler. This radiator will serve as your reference point for balancing the others.

Turn on your central heating and take note of the order each radiator heats up. The first radiator to become consistently warm across its entire surface wants to be your “first radiator” and should be the warmest in the house.

The speed at which a radiator heats up indicates the hot water flow to that particular radiator. Identifying the fastest heating radiator means you can adjust the lockshield valves to balance the flow to other radiators.

Step 4: Turn your heating off and on again

As annoying as this may be, turning your heating off and on again is a crucial step as it ensures you begin adjusting the valves from a “cold start,” allowing for more accurate temperature readings and adjustments.

Once all radiators have cooled down completely, turn your central heating back on. This “cold start” mimics the typical scenario when your heating kicks in after being off for a certain length of time and provides a realistic baseline for radiator balancing.

Step 5: Adjust the lockshield valve on the fastest heating radiator

Using your lockshield valve adjuster or adjustable spanner, turn the lockshield valve on your fastest heating radiator clockwise until it’s completely closed. Then, give it a quarter turn anti-clockwise. This initial adjustment will be your starting point for radiator balancing.

You want to aim to slightly restrict the flow of hot water to this radiator, and allow for more flow to reach the other radiators, ultimately balancing your system.

Step 6: Take temperature readings

Now it’s time to take temperature readings. Allow the radiators to heat up for a few minutes, giving the central heating system time to stabilise. Then, take the temperature of the pipework leading to the lockshield valve of the first radiator.

Next, measure the temperature of the pipework leading to the opposite valve (your TRV or manual valve) on the same radiator. Ideally, you want a differential of around 12°C between the two readings. This ensures an adequate flow of hot water through the radiator while also allowing for sufficient flow to other radiators.

It’s important to note that this temperature differential is a guideline and you may need to make slight adjustments based on the specific layout and size of your radiators.

Step 7: Repeat these steps with your other radiators

Now that your first radiator is balanced, you can move on to the others, following the order in which they heated up. As a general rule, radiators furthest from the boiler will require a greater flow of hot water, meaning their lockshield valves will need to be opened more.

As you go, make sure you continue to take temperature readings and make slight adjustments to the lockshield valves until you achieve a consistent temperature differential across all radiators. It may require a bit of trial and error, but patience and persistence are key.

Don’t forget to allow your heating system to stabilise for a few minutes after each adjustment before taking new temperature readings.

When should you balance your radiators?

While annually balancing your radiators at the start of the colder season is a good rule of thumb, there are several situations that may warrant an extra balancing session for optimal performance, for example if you have:

• Removed or replaced radiators, especially if their size or type differs from the original.
• Made alterations to your heating system, such as adding new pipework or upgrading your boiler.
• Experienced inconsistent heating throughout your home, with some rooms noticeably colder than others.
• Noticed a significant increase in your energy bills, which could indicate an imbalance in your heating system.

Need expert advice on balancing radiators?

We hope our step-by-step guide to balancing radiators helps you maintain a well-functioning central heating system and that each radiator in your home works optimally. If you need expert advice or guidance on how to balance your radiators, don’t hesitate to contact us today.

We can also help you identify if you qualify for the Boiler Upgrade Scheme (BUS), which is a government grant available to residents who wish to install a heat pump, or a boiler. As we’re a fully certified installer, you can apply for this scheme directly through us.

You may also be eligible for the ECO4 scheme, which focuses on installing efficient insulation and heating measures for vulnerable individuals. Check online in less than 60 seconds if you qualify by using our handy online tool.

Radiator balancing FAQs

What’s the difference between balancing and bleeding a radiator?

Bleeding releases any trapped air in radiators, which helps to restore proper heat distribution. Balancing on the other hand, involves adjusting radiator valves, which optimises the flow of water for even heat throughout your home.

Can I balance radiators myself or should I hire a professional?

Balancing radiators can be done with basic DIY skills as we’ve highlighted in our step-by-step guide. However, if you are unsure and uncomfortable working with valves or your heating system, you can consult a qualified heating engineer if you wish.

What are the signs that my radiators need balancing?

The most common sign that your radiators need balancing is uneven heat distribution, with some radiators getting hotter than others. Cold spots, even after bleeding, are also another common sign of potential flow issues.

Will balancing my radiators lower my energy bills?

Balancing your radiators can improve energy efficiency as it optimises heat output and reduces the boiler’s workload, which can potentially lead to lower heating bills over time.