Feel the heat this Winter: Bleeding Radiators in your home

What does Bleeding a Radiator mean?

Bleeding a radiator is releasing trapped air from the heating system in your house.

Air pockets in your heating system stop hot water from circulating properly. This means that it takes longer to warm your house up.

One thing that you can do to help keep your house warm and make sure your home is more energy efficient is to bleed your radiators.

When do you know your radiators need bleeding?

If you're not sure if you need to bleed your radiators there are a few thing you can keep an eye out for that will let you know when your radiators need some care and attention.

1. Cold spots at the top of the radiator when the bottom is warm

2. Gurgling or bubbling noises coming from the radiator

3. Uneven heating across rooms. Is your living room hot when your kitchen is cold?

You should also try and bleed your radiators every year usually in autumn or after any major plumbing or heating work.

How to bleed a radiator.

First, if you are a tenant who thinks they need their radiators bled. Please contact our customer services team or Robert Heath who are the main providers of our heating solutions across Wales.

Robert Heath: 0333 0141000

You can also WhatsApp Robert Heath on 07700 160200 and email directly to them on cs@robertheath.co.uk

FCHA Customer Services: 0292 0703758

You can also email us on customerservices@fcha.org.uk

If you are doing it on your own, make sure you have the following ready:

• Radiator bleed key (or a flathead screwdriver, check your radiators)

• Cloth

• Old Towel

• Container like a Tupperware to catch some water.

1 - Turn the heating on and check each of your radiators for any with cold patches. If they aren't cold then there is no need to bleed them.

2 - Turn your heating off and wait for the radiators to get cold again.

3 - Place an old towel on the floor and the container under the valve on your radiator.

4 - Use your radiator key (or screwdriver) to very slowly open the valve turning the key anti-clockwise. It might be tough to open which is where your cloth comes in handy.

5 - Open it very slightly so that you hear a hissing noise. That's the air escaping!

6 - Once the hissing stops and water starts pouring out, turn the valve clockwise to tighten.

7 - Run the cloth over the valve and check there is no water leaking.

Do this to all of the radiators you identified in step one. Once this is done your radiators will heat up a lot quicker!

You may need to check the pressure on your boiler. It should be between 1.0 and 1.5 bars and 2.0 bars when its on.

British Gas have a boiler pressure guide on their website that you can follow. https://www.britishgas.co.uk/heating/guides/boiler-pressure.html

Remember, if you're a tenant at FCHA then you can contact us or Robert Heath to get your radiators bled.

Robert Heath: 0333 0141000

You can also WhatsApp Robert Heath on 07700 160200 and email directly to them on cs@robertheath.co.uk

FCHA Customer Services: 0292 0703758

You can also email us on customerservices@fcha.org.uk

Halloween: Fire Safety

Halloween offers a fun opportunity for both children and adults to dress up in fancy dress

costumes. Whether you buy your costume and decorations or get creative and make your own, it's important to keep yourself safe. Keep in mind these tips to ensure your Halloween isn't scary for all the wrong reasons.

Costume Safety:

1. Choose flame-resistant materials Many Halloween costumes are made from synthetic fabrics that can ignite quickly. You should be looking out for a UKCA or CE marking and the manufacturer’s name which will mean that the outfits meet safety standards.

2. Avoid long trailing fabrics Where possible avoid capes, skirts, and sleeves that drag on the ground that can easily brush against candles, or open flames.

3. Be cautious with homemade costumes Be mindful of the materials you use when making your own costumes. If you are going to be around candles or open flames, avoid flammable items like cotton wool, tissue paper, or plastic bags.

Halloween Decorations and Open Flames

1. Use battery-operated candles

Instead of traditional candles in pumpkins or lanterns, go for LED alternatives. They’re safer, reusable, and just as spooky!

2. Keep decorations away from heat sources

Ensure that hanging decorations, cobwebs, and paper props are kept well away from heaters, radiators, and candles.

3. Check smoke alarms

If you're hosting a party at home, make sure your smoke alarms are working properly. It’s a simple check that could save lives.

Keeping your home warm

As the temperature continues to drop it's important to keep a warm home whilst keeping your energy bills down.

Robert Heath have provided a list of things you can do to help warm your home.

As our heating contractor, Robert Heath offer advice and support from a dedicated team of call handlers 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Keeping your home warm in the winter

Draw your curtains at dusk and shut your doors.

Opening your curtains in the day will allow the sun to heat up the room. Once the sun starts to set, you can close your curtains to keep the heat from escaping through your windows making your home warmer for longer.

Tuck your curtains behind your radiators to allow the heat into the room.

Leave a gap of at least 6 inches between furniture and the radiators.

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Ensure your doors and windows are draft free.

Please give us a call if your windows feel very draughty. They maybe due a service or need adjusting.

Having a draft coming through your doors and windows can make your room a bit colder. If you can buy a draft excluder to keep the heat in your room it will definitely help, especially if you are heating only one room in your house!

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Turn portable heaters off when leaving the room or going to bed.

Portable heaters can help heat up one room in your house, we recommend the room that you are all congregating in. As useful as these are, they can also cause problems if they are faulty or damaged. To reduce the risk of a fire, turn them off when you leave the room or you are going to bed.

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Leave your central heating on for short periods of time throughout the day.

It is important to keep your home warm. Living in a cold home can affect your mental and physical health. Therefore the rooms you spend most of your time should be between 18c and 21c .

Energy saving tips and tricks

Switch off lights when not needed.

This one is self explanatory but if there is nobody in the room, switching off the lights will help you save energy.

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Use energy efficient lightbulbs.

LED lightbulbs in your home can help you save energy and money. Not only do they use less energy when they are lighting a room, they also last a lot longer. When your lightbulbs break in your house, consider buying LED blubs going forward!

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Switch off appliances or unplug them.

A lot of appliances still use energy when they are on standby, so when you have finished watching TV or washing your clothes, consider turning off the appliance from the plug on the wall or unplug them.

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Use your washing machine at a lower

temperature like 30°C.

"Washing clothes at 30 degrees rather than higher temperatures will save around 40% of the energy used each year. Modern washing powders and detergents work just as effectively at lower temperatures. Wait until you have a full load before putting on a wash." - Energy Saving Trust

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Save water by showering rather than a bath.

It's pretty well known that showers use less water and energy than baths. If you have a 5 minute shower you can save up to £25 a year on your energy bills according to the Energy Saving Trust

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Only fill your kettle with the amount of water you need.

Not only does this save you money but it also saves you time. It will take less time to warm up the water for a cup of tea.

By following some of these tips, we hope you're able to keep your home a bit warmer during the winter periods whilst keeping your energy bills low.

If you you need to contact us, please call us or email in:

Call: 02920703758

Email: customerservices@fcha.org.uk

If you have an issue with your heating you can contact Robert Heath directly:

Call: 0333 0141000

Whatsapp: 07700 160200

Email: cs@robertheath.co.uk