How to Balance a Radiator?

Balancing your radiator might sound complicated, but it's actually a simple process that can make a big difference in how well your heating system works. If some rooms are warmer than others or your radiators aren't heating evenly, balancing them can help ensure every room stays at a comfortable temperature.

In this blog, we will learn how to balance your radiators step by step. This guide will help you understand how your heating system balances smoothly.

Why Should I Balance My Radiators?

If your radiators are heating unevenly across your home, they probably need balancing. You might notice some radiators are cold or have uneven temperatures or that different rooms heat up at different rates.

We recommend balancing your radiators when your heating system is first installed or after any maintenance, though it's not uncommon to need rebalancing at other times. It might sound complicated, but the process is simple and helps you make a huge difference in keeping your home warm and your system running efficiently.

What Is Balancing Radiators?

Your central heating works by pumping hot water through each radiator in your home. However, not all radiators get the same flow of water, which affects how quickly they heat up.

Balancing your radiators is about making sure heat is evenly distributed throughout your home.

In simple terms, it means adjusting the flow of hot water from the boiler so that each radiator gets its fair share of heat. This is especially important in two-storey homes. Instead of one radiator heating up faster and others staying cold, balancing helps the heat spread out more evenly.

Should I Balance or Bleed My Radiators?

Well, if your radiators aren't working properly, you have two options: bleeding or balancing them.

Bleeding radiator is useful when a single radiator has cold spots or doesn't heat up fully.

On the other hand, a balancing radiator is what you need if one or more radiators don't heat up evenly at all when the heating is on.

Here's how to figure out which one you need:

You need to BLEED your radiator if:

• It rattles, makes noise, or gurgles.
• Parts of the radiator (usually the top) stay cold while the rest heats up.

You need to BALANCE your radiators if:

• Rooms in your house have noticeably different temperatures.
• Some radiators don't heat up at all.
• Your radiators take a long time to warm up.

Bleeding only involves individual radiators while balancing requires adjusting all of them. But don't worry; balancing your radiators is a straightforward process.

What Tools You'll Need

• Radiator bleed key
• Lockshield valve key or adjustable spanner
• Screwdriver

You can read our step-by-step guide about how to bleed a radiator.

How Do You Balance Radiators?
[Step-by-Step Guide]

01. Turn off your heating system and let the radiators cool

To start, turn off your heating. You'll need to monitor how the radiators heat up from a cold state to identify any problems.

02. Open all your radiator valves

Using the TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) and the lockshield valve, open both valves on each radiator. Turn them anti-clockwise to open. Some systems might not have a TRV, but you can still adjust the lockshield valve.

Call Serviceteam Heating Professionals if you need to upgrade your radiator or install a thermostatic radiator valve (TRV).

03. Turn on the heating and note the order of heating

With the heating on, watch how quickly each radiator heats up. Take note of the order in which they reach full temperature, as radiators closer to the boiler typically heat first.

04. Turn off the system and let it cool again

After recording the order, switch off the heating and let everything cool down again.

05. Adjust the lockshield valves

Now, adjust the lockshield valves based on the heating order. Close each valve (turn clockwise) and reopen them a quarter turn. Radiators farthest from the boiler may need to be opened slightly more than those closer to it.

06. Check the Temperature

To ensure your radiator is balanced, measure the temperature at both ends of the radiator—near the lockshield valve and the thermostatic valve. There should be a 12-degree difference between the two measurements. If not, adjust the lockshield valve until you achieve this balance.

07. Repeat for Each Radiator

Apply the same process to each radiator, finishing with the one at the end of the system. Once all radiators are balanced, you've successfully completed the task!

How To Balance a Radiator With a Thermometer?

A radiator thermometer is a useful tool that uses infrared technology. It can measure your radiator's surface temperature from a distance without needing to touch it. It's perfect for balancing radiators and making sure your heating system warms your home evenly.

Here's how you can balance your radiator using a thermometer:

Step 1: Turn on Your Central Heating

Start by running your central heating system until it reaches full temperature and all the radiators are warm.

Step 2: Measure the Radiator Temperature

Use the infrared thermometer to find the temperature at different spots on each radiator. Usually, the temperature should be consistent from top to bottom. Then, it's time to measure the temperature where the pipes meet the lockshield valve and the manual or thermostatic radiator valve (TRV).

Step 3: Adjust the Lockshield Valve

Suppose the top of the radiator is hotter than the bottom; slightly close the lockshield valve to slow the flow of hot water. If the bottom is hotter, open the valve a bit to allow more water to flow. Adjust gradually, aiming for about a 12°C difference compared to your initial reading. Be patient—temperature changes take time.

Step 4: Repeat if Needed

Repeat this process for all the radiators in your home. Using a thermometer makes balancing more accurate, helping you achieve better energy efficiency.

How Much Does It Cost To Balance a Radiator?

If you hire a professional heating engineer, it usually costs between £100 and £250, and the job can take up to half a day.

The engineer will start by draining and bleeding the system to get rid of any trapped air in the radiators. Once that's done, they'll refill the system and open all the radiator valves. After that, they'll adjust the radiators that heat up the fastest to balance the water flow, making sure the heat is distributed evenly throughout your home.

Call Heating Professionals

Our professional engineers in London provide neat and tidy service. If you're having radiator issues, contact us for radiator replacements or system maintenance across London. We offer a fixed price guarantee, meaning once you get a quote, it won't change.

FAQs

What's the best setting for radiator valves?

In the winter, it's best to set your TRV (thermostatic radiator valve) to 2 or 3 and leave it there. If you walk into a room that feels cold but the radiator is boiling, avoid turning it up to 5. The TRV is designed to heat the room gradually, so give it time to do its job.

To learn more about TRVs, check out our blog, "What Are Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)?"

Do you turn radiator valves clockwise or anti-clockwise?

Anti-clockwise. Both valves should be turned fully open (anti-clockwise) to let water flow freely through the radiator. The lockshield valve, usually covered with a plastic cap, controls how much water enters the radiator.

What's the ideal radiator setting?

The general rule is to keep each room between 18°C (64°F) and 21°C (70°F) for a comfortable temperature. However, you can easily adjust these settings to your liking using a system like Wiser.

Why do radiators become unbalanced?

When radiators are unbalanced, they don't all heat up evenly or at the same time. This is usually due to uneven water flow from your boiler, causing hot water to be distributed unevenly throughout your home.

How long does it take to balance radiators?

Balancing radiators takes a bit longer than bleeding them. The whole process can take a few hours, but most of that time is spent waiting for the radiators to cool down and heat back up.