The 10-second job that makes radiators heat up so much quicker – so you can save cash without calling a plumber
WITH the UK still feeling a chill from the winter weather most of us are looking for the best ways to keep the house warm.
Many of us have resorted to keeping the heating on throughout the day, but you may have found your radiator not getting as hot as you’d like.
With even windier weather set to come to the UK this week, you’ll want to make sure your radiators are working properly.
So if yours aren’t heating up as much or as quickly as they used to you want to keep reading instead of calling a plumber.
A plumber can cost hundreds of pounds to call out and your radiator may simply just need a clean.
A buildup of dirt can block heat, so it will take more energy to warm a room. This can raise electricity bills and put more strain on the radiator.
Thankfully, Lynsey Crombie, a cleaning expert also known as the Queen of Clean, has shared that the best way to clean radiators in just a matter of seconds.
She revealed you should “blast away trapped dust and debris” using one simple object in the home.
Taking to Facebook, Lynsey wrote: “Use your hair dryer to blow out trapped dust from those hard-to-reach spots.”
The middle of the radiator can collect dust, pet hair and cobwebs which can stop the radiator from distributing heat as well.
To begin turn the radiator completely off and place a towel underneath the radiator.
Then, use your hair dryer on cool air and a high airflow setting. Do not use a hot air setting to avoid damaging the radiator’s components.
You can then simply point the hair dryer at the fins, panels or vents in the radiator. Repeat until all the dirt and debris has been removed.
Once done, use a soft brush to clean out any dust that got onto the outside of the radiator and vacuum dust blown out of the radiator.
Lynsey has also suggested using a steam cleaner if you own one as “a quick burst of steam can help dislodge hidden dust.”
People were quick to thank Lynsey in the comments and wanted to try the hack for themselves.
One person wrote: “I will try the hairdryer method, not used this before.”
Another commented: “It works great. I use the hairdryer to blow the dust out down below while I have my hoover on.”
“Or a pet hair dryer that will blow anything out,” penned a third.
5 ways to keep your house warm in winter
Property expert Joshua Houston shared his tips.
1. Curtains
“Windows are a common place for the outside cold to get into your home, this is because of small gaps that can let in air so always close your curtains as soon as it gets dark,” he said.
This simple method gives you an extra layer of warmth as it can provide a kind of “insulation” between your window and curtain.
2. Rugs
“Your floor is another area of your home where heat can be lost and can make your home feel chilly,” he continued. “You might notice on cold days, that your floor is not nice to walk on due to it freezing your feet.
“Add rugs to areas that don’t already have a carpet, this provides a layer of insulation between your bare floor and the room above.”
3. Check your insulation
Check your pipes, loft space, crawlspaces and underneath floorboards.
“Loose-fill insulation is very good for this, and is a more affordable type of insulation, with a big bag being able to be picked up for around £30,” Joshua explained.
4. Keep your internal doors closed
“Household members often gather in one room in the evening, and this is usually either the kitchen or living room,” Joshua said.
“This means you only have to heat a small area of your home, and closing the doors keeps the heat in and the cold out.”
5. Block drafts
Don’t forget to check cat flaps, chimneys and letterboxes, as they can let in cold air if they aren’t secure.