It helps to enlist a few friends or the kids at this point so that you can keep an eye on how fast all the radiators warm up. You'll usually find those radiators nearest the boiler will be faster. Balancing may be necessary any time radiators are fitted in an existing system or upon the installation of an entire heating system. If a system is not properly balanced it will result in one or more radiators not heating up properly, or not heating up at all.

To understand fully how your radiators work, go to our Central Heating – One & Two pipe systems project and our other central heating projects. The next task, now that we you know what different heating systems and valves there are, is to actually get started and balance your heating system. 1. Draw a Heating System and Radiator Plan

Why do Radiators Need Balancing?

Instead it’s best to try and do it through feel. Use your hand to feel the pipework and radiators and get them as close as possible. This type of setup is rather dated now due to the fact that it’s quite inefficient and has now been replaced by the more modern and efficient 2 pipe system. The best tool to use to take these measurements are special thermometers which clip onto the radiators pipes and measure the difference in temperature between them. The proper name for radiator thermometers is Differential Thermometers and in the digital age these have become so advanced that the temperature of both the incoming and outgoing radiator pipes can be measured, at the same time, with one thermometer.

Place a container under the valve This is to catch any water that may drip out of the valve. Also hold the spare cloth or towel under the valve. As you now know how to balance your system after a few more goes you’ll refine the technique and you’ll be able to do it in no time. Once you have achieved this your first radiator has now been balanced so all you now need to do is repeat this for your remaining radiators and you will then have a fully balanced system. With all your radiator valves open, it’s time to turn on your heating and make a note of the speed at which each of your radiators heat up.To bleed a radiator, slowing open the bleed valve at the top (either side is fine) and wait for the air to flow out and water start to flow. For a full guide on how to bleed your radiators see our project here. When we say each loop we mean the upstairs heating circuit and the downstairs heating circuit and each has to be done independently to the other. In some instances, radiators can be different temperatures due to the distance the water that heats them has to travel from the boiler or pump. If your heating system is not balanced then the radiators that are closest to the boiler or heating source may get a lot more hot water than those that are further away. If your radiators are unbalanced, they will not heat up at the same speed as each other so it's essential you understand how to balance radiators.