A plumber has issued a warning to people who hang their clothes out to dry on a radiator.
While many may believe that drying clothes on the radiator is quicker and more cost effective than using a dryer or clothing line, it could actually end up costing your household more money than you realise. Jordan Chance at PlumbNation has explained that drying clothes on the radiator actually places more pressure on your boiler.
As a result, your final energy bill will be higher because your boiler has to work harder to keep the radiators warm, RSVP Live reports. Mr Chance added: "We would recommend that you stop using your radiators to dry your clothes.
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“The clothes that you place over the top of your radiators prevent the heat from escaping and heating your room, meaning that your boiler has to pick up the slack and work at a greater rate - increasing costs.” Further complications from drying clothes on the radiator include long-term health problems.
Mr Chance continued: "Similarly, the increase in the air’s moisture can create condensation, leading to potential issues with mould and dampness." Instead, Mr Chance recommends people to use a radiator cover 'that is a good conductor of heat".
"If you have a radiator cover make sure to check that it is a good conductor of heat. Radiator covers made from materials such as wood are poor conductors and can prevent heat from being dispersed effectively - wasting energy and money.
“Also, if your radiator cover has a solid top then you may be losing even more heat, as it will be absorbed by the top of the cover.” He also recommends that you bleed your radiator whenever you suspect air is trapped in the radiator.
PlumbNation explained that: "Bleeding your radiator is essential in preventing the efficiency of your radiator from decreasing, as a result of air entering your heating system. The quickest way to check if air has entered your heating system is to turn your central heating on and feel your radiator.
"If the radiator is warm at the bottom but cold at the top this is generally a sign that air is present.”
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