How does a balanced central heating system work?

Continue round the system doing the same thing. For each radiator, the Lockshield valve should (but not always) need opening a little further for each radiator until (in some cases) it is fully open on the last radiator. You should now have a balanced heating system.

Why do radiators need to be in balance?

Why do Radiators Need Balancing? Some radiators occationally get quite a bit warmer than others. When this happens it usually means that your central heating system is out of balance. In some instances, radiators can be different temperatures due to the distance that water that heats them has to travel from the boiler or pump.

Do you have to open Lockshield valve to balance radiators?

Generally, the further the radiator is from the boiler, the more the lockshield valve will have to be opened. In order to balance your radiators correctly, you may have to have the lockshield valve opened fully at the final radiator. Sit back, relax and enjoy the warm and comforting glow of your newly balanced radiators.

What’s the difference between bleeding and balancing radiators?

Balancing radiators means adjusting the radiator valves to level the water flow and make sure your radiators heat up at the same speed. What Is The Difference Between Bleeding & Balancing Radiators? When you balance radiators, you allow more water to flow to the colder radiators and restrict the flow from the radiators that are too hot.

Is it possible to balance a heating system?

Likewise, some houses have radiators that are burning hot upstairs and luke warm radiators downstairs due to convection. All this can be solved by balancing a system. Before you read on please watch this instructional video on how to balance a heating system:

When do you need a heating engineer to balance your radiators?

If the flow differential is less than 20°C, or the return temperature is higher than 55°C, then the system is either unbalanced or the radiators are too small. Either way, you will need a heating engineer to fix it. A heating engineer will first completely drain the system and remove any air pockets by bleeding the radiators.

How much does it cost to balance a radiator?

The next step will be to adjust the valves on the radiators that get hottest the fastest. This it to restrict the flow of water to the radiator and even out the spread of heat to the rest of your home. Costs for this will vary between £100 and £200, but expect the heating engineer to take at least half a day to complete the work.