Common radiator mistake silently adding £600 to your heating bill

Colder weather is fast approaching which means it’s almost time to switch the radiators back on – but an expert warns these simple mistakes could cost you hundreds.

As summer comes to a close, many of us are still grasping onto the last few days of warmer temperatures and sunny skies. However, heating experts at UK Radiators have urged households to check their radiators now, or risk wasting up to £600 a year in higher energy bills and unnecessary repairs.

Potential issues include blocked heat circulation and un-bled radiators, which, while small, can add hundreds of unexpected pounds to annual heating costs. This can add a massive financial strain, as families continue to grapple with high energy prices.

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Rob Jones, heating specialist at UK Radiators, said: “ The average household could be losing between £400 and £600 a year just by ignoring their radiators. Most people only notice problems when they switch the heating on in November and suddenly half the house is cold. By then, it’s often too late — small fixes have become expensive call-outs."

He continued: “The good news is these are easy checks you can do right now: bleed radiators, clear space around them, and run your heating for 20 minutes to spot any issues. A little preparation now saves a lot of stress and money in December.”

So, which common radiator mistakes do you need to be on the look out for? And how much can they cost you?

Not bleeding radiators

Bleeding your radiator refers to releasing trapped air from the central heating system, as this can otherwise lead to cold spots, reducing your radiator’s capacity to heat your home. In fact, according to UK radiators, air pockets can reduce efficiency by up to 15% – which can cost you between £70–£100

Ignoring cold spots or sludge

Radiator sludge is a build-up of rust, dirt, and other debris, which can block pipes and reduce heat output, leading to potential extra costs of between £200–£300. Even worse, sludge forces boilers to overwork – which can lead to breakdowns costing £400 or more to repair.

Blocking radiators with furniture or curtains

It’s important to make sure your radiators aren’t being obstructed by certain items, like furniture as they can trap the heat instead of warming the room. This can lead to potential costs of £60–£80.

Drying clothes on radiators

This is common mistake but it can be costly. Drying your clothes on radiators can reduce heat output by around 20%, according to UK Radiators, which can put you out between £100–£120. It also increases the risk of damp or mould.

Heating unused rooms

Make sure you’re not unnecessarily heating rooms you don’t use, especially if you don’t have thermostatic radiator valves. This can cost between £50–£150

Skipping radiator reflectors

While this is something many households overlook, radiator reflectors can save you between £30–£50 in heating costs, as they reflect all heat back into the room instead of allowing it to escape through external walls.

Neglecting maintenance checks

Take care to conduct regular maintenance checks, as even small leaks can escalate into major, expensive faults – potentially costing anywhere from £150–£500 to fix.