Is your hot water heater system (hydronic) not working well or are some of your rooms cold and some hot? Some do not know that many hot water heating systems need to have the air bled off them at least once a year (usually done right before it starts getting cold). Air naturally works its way into the system through small leaks in the system and needs to be removed. Each radiator has a small bleed valve that usually can be opened with a special wrench or a flat bladed screwdriver (sometimes a special tool). When bleeding the system here is the general steps that need to be taken to get the air out of your system.
– First of all remember the water coming out of the system when it is running is generally either very hot or in steam form. Protect yourself with a pair of leather gloves and bleed the water off into a coffee cup with a handle.
- Start up the system just like you normally would during the winter, make sure the thermostat is set high enough to keep the water running for an hour.
- Bleed the air off the first radiator after the pump…this radiator generally doesn’t have much air in it, if it does expect the rest of the radiators to be worse off.
- Open the valves as little as possible, you will hear the air hissing out of the valve. Eventually you will get a little steam, then steam and water. When you get steam and water you will know that you are done, and can close the valve.
- Remember if you feel a radiator and it is cold to touch on the top, it most likely needs to have the air bled off of it (when the heater is on).

If you have more heater bleeding tips please feel free to comment.
Thank you for reading,
Luke Spencer

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