Energy bill warning over ‘secret sludge’ in radiators that could be driving up costs – how to fix it
HEATING experts are warning households to get their radiators checked to slash bills.
Thousands of households could be paying more to heat their home because of hidden radiator sludge.
When radiators are choked with sludge inside, heat can’t circulate properly, and you’ll need to keep your radiators on for longer to heat the house.
This in turn drives up household energy bills at a time when the cost of gas and electricity is high.
The average household saw their bills increase to £2,500 a year - up from £1,971 at the start of the month.
And while the new Energy Price Guarantee saves the average household £1,000 over the next year - many are looking to cut costs.
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The EPG puts a cap on the wholesale cost of domestic gas and electricity for those on the standard variable tariff.
But the cap only limits the amount firms can charge customers for each unit of energy.
So if you use more energy than the average household, expect to pay more than £2,500 a year - and that's why it's important to cut costs where you can.
Heating experts and ADEY said that the water quality in central heating systems is a leading cause of boiler breakdown and can reduce your radiator output by up to 47%.
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What's worse, half of households are unaware that they could cut their bills if they regularly get their central heating system flushed.
But if households do get rid of the sludge in their pipes, it can instantly improve the heat output of their radiators and slash bills by up to 7%.
Colin Yearp, a ADEY heating engineer said: "By just improving the water quality inside the system, you can save up to 7% a year on gas usage and extend the life of the boiler by up to seven years."
Bills could drop because you won't need to put on your central heating for as long because your radiators will work more efficiently.
Sludge acts as an insulator and lowers the amount of heat your radiator can pump out.
Sludge build-up can often accompany clunking and grumbling noises when your central heating is first switched on.
ADEY said this is a sign that something is wrong and households should ask a Gas Safe registered plumber to assess the system.
Ask your plumber to test the water in your central heating system and if it’s dirty they can clean it and take action by flushing the system or adding a filter.
But this comes with a cost and according to Checkatrade, households should expect to spend between £300 and £500 to have their system flushed.
If you're unsure as to whether your radiators are clogged with sludge but have one or two that aren't pumping out heat - they may just need bleeding.
We've explained how households can bleed their radiators and rid their central heating system of any trapped air.
ADEY’s has also listed its top tips to get the most from your central heating system.
The firm said that households should control the temperature in each room by using thermostats on their radiators.
It's also recommended that households book a boiler service every year with a Gas Safe registered plumber.
Households should frequently ask their plumber to test the water in their central heating, if it’s dirty they can clean it and take action to stop the sludge in your radiators from coming back.
How else can I cut my energy bills?
If you turn your boiler's flow temperature down as well as any thermostatic radiator valves in some rooms - you could save around £180 annually on your energy bills.
Topping up loft insulation and switching to a smart meter can bring a household a further £230 worth of annual savings, according to Nesta.
It is also important to ensure that when your boiler's running that there's no draught.
Ventilation is good for health and air quality but it's the first place where heat will escape.
If there's a draught, grab a draught excluder and plug the gap. You should also ensure your windows are closed before the sun sets.
It's also worth closing your curtains before it gets dark as the heat will then stay inside your home.
Another great way to ensure you save money is to turn off your boiler when you're not using the water.
Most boilers or thermostats have a setting to allow you to schedule when the heating turns on and off.
Consider what rooms in your home need heating. You won't be using each one 24/7 so make sure the heating is off in any rooms that aren't occupied.
If you spot rust on your boiler then it could mean you're paying more than you need to on using your appliance.
Although rust itself does not cause issues, it could be a sign that there is a leak - which indicates there is a problem with your boiler.
It can also upset the temperature balance in your boiler, making it run less efficiently and ramping up costs.
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There is also a list of other common boiler problems we've rounded up that could be pumping up your bills.
A noisy boiler could also indicate that your water pressure is low or there's a pump failure.