Although the UK is still very much in summer, colder days are just around the corner. This means households will switch on their heating to keep their homes warm. It could also mean potentially facing higher energy bills.

But doing one job before September arrives can help to keep bills down when the autumn months roll around. This simple job involves bleeding your radiator to get it ready for when you need the heating on. Bleeding your radiator while the system is off helps restore efficiency, according to Selectra, which recommends doing this in August.

They said: “Bleeding your radiators costs nothing, yet it can noticeably cut what you pay to heat your home.”

It’s a simple job that requires only a radiator bleed key and a cloth or a small container. Start with the radiator nearest to the boiler and work your way out to the ones furthest away.

Hold the container under the bleed valve at the top corner of the radiator, then turn the key slowly until the hissing of escaping air stops and water begins to trickle out steadily, with no bubbles. At this point, close it again.

Perform this on every radiator in the home, including bathroom ones, to help heat flow more evenly throughout the home when the heating goes on.

The experts said: “The advantage of acting now is simple: with the system at rest, you can take your time, you lose no comfort, and you have weeks in hand before the first cold snap.

“Reaching the switch-on with radiators bled means spending less from the very first day of heating.”

The experts also recommended cleaning radiators with microfibre cloths and a vacuum.

This should be done once before the colder months, with an occasional wipe before use.

It could also be a good idea to get your boiler serviced before winter, if it is due, to avoid any issues when the weather is cold.