What is balancing a central heating system?

Balancing of the heating system is the process of optimising the distribution of water through the radiators by adjusting the lockshield valve which equalizes the system pressure so it provides the intended indoor climate at optimum energy efficiency and minimal operating cost.

Do I need to balance my central heating system?

In any house that has a heating system it is usually advised to balance the system. The reason heating systems need to be balanced is to supply an equal flow to each radiator or hot water coil throughout the house. Often in properties that have large pipe runs, the radiator on the end will not receive a very good flow.

How long does it take to balance radiators?

The powerflush process should only take about a day to complete (usually between six and ten hours) depending on the age of your heating system, the number of radiators, and the amount of sludge and debris build-up.

How much does it cost to have radiators balanced?

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.

What happens if radiators are not balanced?

Unbalanced radiators don’t heat up at the same speed as each other, making some areas of your house colder than others. It means the hot water flowing from your boiler is not being distributed evenly and it can become an issue during these freezing winter nights when you need heat, like, NOW.

How do I increase the flow of my central heating system?

To balance your central heating system, turn off your heating system and allow all radiators to cool down. Open both of the valves for all of the radiators and turn on the heating. You may need some help but you now need to go to each radiator and work out when they heat up and what order they heat up in.

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.

How do you change the temperature of a central heating system?

Switch on the central heating system. Close the lockshield valve on the first radiator to almost closed, as the temperature of the systems comes up, gradually open up the valve until the temperature difference between the two thermometers is about 20°F (12°C). Move the thermometers to the next radiator away from the boiler.

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 does the Lockshield valve in a central heating system work?

The lockshield valve restricts hot water flow to certain radiators in order to divert flow to others, thereby balancing the system. Once any air in the system has been removed the heating is turned off to allow the radiators to cool down.