British Gas urges households to bleed radiators ahead of winter

Summarised from 3 outlets · Updated 7 Nov, 16:13 · Archive

British Gas recommends using a £1 radiator bleed key to release trapped air and improve heating efficiency before cold weather.

British Gas is recommending that households prepare for winter by bleeding their radiators, a simple maintenance task that can improve heating efficiency. Forecasters are monitoring conditions that may bring colder spells, frost, ice and snow this winter, though they stress it remains too early to predict individual cold snaps.

The energy provider says that cold patches on radiators often result from trapped air preventing hot water from rising. British Gas advises: 'Check your radiators are heating to the top. If they aren't, the chances are you need to learn how to bleed a radiator.'

The process is straightforward. A radiator bleed key, which costs about £1, is used to open a small valve at the top of each radiator. According to British Gas, 'You'll hear air hiss, and as soon as you see a drip of water, close it up again.' This releases the trapped air and allows hot water to circulate properly.

Radiator bleed keys are widely available at DIY retailers. Options at shops including Screwfix, B&Q and Amazon can be purchased for as little as 98p.

Experts stress that weather patterns, including the jet stream and high-pressure blocking systems, remain unpredictable. While periods of cold are expected, these may be interrupted by milder, wetter and stormier conditions. Households are being urged to prepare now rather than wait for confirmed forecasts of specific cold snaps.

How it is being reported

• The £1 item that British Gas recommends Brits get to heat homes properlyMost people will have no choice but to crank up the central heating to cope with the bitterly cold temperatures.Swindon Advertiser · 7 Nov, 15:31
• The £1 item that British Gas recommends Brits get to heat homes properlyMost people will have no choice but to crank up the central heating to cope with the bitterly cold temperatures.Wiltshire Times · 7 Nov, 15:31
• The £1 item that British Gas recommends Brits get to heat homes properlyMost people will have no choice but to crank up the central heating to cope with the bitterly cold temperatures.Gazette & Herald · 7 Nov, 15:31

In this story: British Gas · UK · Screwfix · B&Q · Amazon

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