Temperatures are about to drop even more across the UK in the aftermath of Storm Claudia. Because of this, it's becoming more and more important to make sure you stay warm and cosy at home - but with climbing energy bills, this is easier said than done.
Energy costs are already high, and the thought of blasting the central heating for ages each day can be really off-putting. Thankfully, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to boost the efficiency of your radiators so that you don't waste energy or cash.
According to the experts at Homes and Gardens, your boiler might be operating completely fine, but if there's a problem with your radiators, then it's worth sorting out quickly.
If your rooms don't seem to be heating up as quickly as they should, and you've already bled your radiators, then there could be another issue at hand. Thankfully, it takes seconds to sort out, and it's free too.
How to heat up rooms faster
If the heating is on but you're still feeling the chill, it's crucial that you clear the area around your radiators.
Phil Oliver, co-owner of Air Treatment Heating and Cooling, told Homes and Gardens: "Radiators use convection to distribute warm air, so blocking that flow with furniture or curtains can drastically reduce their efficiency.
"If you have a radiator, I recommend keeping at least 12 to 18 inches of space between it and any large pieces of furniture, such as couches, beds, or shelving units. Maintaining this space around your radiator will produce a noticeable difference in how evenly and quickly your room heats up."
Similarly, it's important to keep your radiators as clean as possible too. Dust can quickly build up on the inside, effectively blocking the heat from reaching the rest of the room and creating a musty smell too.
It's easy enough to clean them though - all you need to do is dislodge the dust and hair with a blowdryer and make sure it's all swept up afterwards to stop it from floating in again. You can also buy special radiator cleaning sticks which help to really get into all those hard-to-reach areas, leaving your radiator clean, dust-free and much more efficient too.
