During the heating season, it is important to vent the heating so that you do not suddenly find yourself in a cold apartment.
But how often is that really necessary?
Have you got goosebumps again?
It didn't take long and summer is already over - now the cold season is breaking and making sure that we are freezing in our own four walls.
So it's high time to turn the heating back on and provide some warmth.
In order for the radiator to work properly, however, it must be vented regularly.
But are there precise guidelines for this?
How often do I bleed the heater?
It is advisable at these times
In general, there are no regulations regarding venting the heater.
However, it is advisable
to let the air out of the radiator
once
before the heating season
to ensure that the device works properly from the start.
Even if this step turns out to be unnecessary in retrospect, it won't damage the heating.
The total number of times you have to vent the air during the heating season is very different.
There are radiators that
only
need to be
vented once
from October to April
- then there are devices that need attention almost every week.
This mostly affects older or leaky heating systems.
Often, however, it is simply because
air gets into the heating system when the heating water is topped up
.
It is therefore advisable to ventilate temporarily every time you top up the heating water.
Even through screw connections, air sometimes penetrates the normally closed system.
If there are too many air bubbles in the heating system, push yourself together to form an air cushion - then it is also time for a vent.
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This tells you how often the heater needs to be vented
So you can see that during a heating season there can be many triggers as to why air forms in the radiator.
You can tell whether he needs ventilation by the following "symptoms":
The heating remains cold
even though it is switched on.
Only the area around the water inlet gets warm
, while the rest of the radiator stays cold.
Bubbling or gurgling noises
come from the radiator or pipe system
.
If one or more of these factors apply, you can be almost certain that the heater will need to be vented.
Bleeding the heater: this is how it works
Before venting the heater, you should always
check
the
water pressure first
.
You can recognize the correct water pressure by the green marking on the pressure gauge.
If it is too low, you need to add some water.
It is also important to
switch off
the
circulation pump
beforehand
, otherwise too much air will be swirled around in the system and the pipes.
If you live in rent and do not have access to the circulation pump, you can alternatively close the heating circuit in your apartment.
Then wait an hour so that the air can collect in the radiators and then turn them up to the maximum.
Now you either need a pair of pliers or a square wrench to do the venting.
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How to bleed with a square wrench
You can get a square wrench at any hardware store - but it is usually part of the standard equipment.
It is a
standardized key
that can be used for almost any heating system.
Use it to turn the vent valve very slowly until you hear a hissing noise and air escapes.
Be careful not to turn the valve too vigorously, otherwise it will fall off and all of the heating water could run out.
In addition, you should always have a rag and mug with you during the process, which you hold under the valve - because it often happens that sometimes dirty water escapes while airing.
Once the air has escaped from the heater, you should quickly close the valve again.
You can then switch the circulation pump on again.
Also check whether the water pressure is still optimal.
Vent the heater - with the pliers
If your heater has a
pentagonal screw vent valve
, you'll need pliers to open it.
Use the tool - like the square wrench - to unscrew the screw and wait until the excess air has escaped.
Again, you should not completely remove the valve and have a rag and mug ready to catch the heating water.
It is best to repeat this process for all radiators in your home so that you can use their
full power
.
In this way you not only ensure optimal, cozy temperatures, but also save yourself money.
Because a heating system that does not work properly uses an unnecessarily large amount of fuel.
Vote: Which heating system do you think makes the most sense?
Read more tips here to help
you cut heating bills.
By Franziska Kaindl