---
title: "Radiator And Baseboard Care"
url: https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/radiator-and-baseboard-care/
description: "Venting, clearing and reflecting so emitters give out the heat they receive."
---

# Radiator And Baseboard Care

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|  | [IXCatalogue Index](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/)[SCSections](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)[STStart Here](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/) |
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| »Categories[Building Envelope](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)5[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)6[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)4[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)3»Project Types[Sealing and draughtproofing](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Insulating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Water and pipework](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Planting and drainage](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Surfaces and finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/low-voc-paints-and-finishes/)»Quick FindJump straight to the entry that covers a common complaint.[Lower electricity bills](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/how-to-reduce-electricity-bill/)[Draughts](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Cold rooms](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/wall-insulation-choices/)[Condensation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/secondary-glazing-and-films/)[Damp at low level](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/drainage-and-ground-levels/)[Noise between floors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/floor-underlay-and-acoustics/)[Slow hot water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/)[Summer overheating](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/planting-mulch-and-shade/) | HW-03Straightforward · Before winterVenting, clearing and reflecting so emitters give out the heat they receive.Section[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)ReferenceHW-03DifficultyStraightforwardSeasonBefore winterTypical scopeA morning for a whole houseWhat it affectsHeat output, boiler running time, noiseWhat this isRadiators and baseboard emitters are the point where the heating system finally meets the room. They give out less than they could for three ordinary reasons: air trapped inside them, dust or furniture blocking the airflow around them, and heat going straight into the wall behind. All three are easy to address without touching the boiler.Telling whether your home needs itFeel a radiator across its full face while the heating runs. Cold at the top with a warm bottom means trapped air. Cold at the bottom with a warm top usually means sediment has settled inside. Gurgling from the pipework, or a room that warms far more slowly than others on the same circuit, point the same way. Baseboard units usually just need their fins cleared and straightened.What the job involvesVenting is done with the system off and cooled, working from the lowest emitter upwards, opening the vent slowly with a cloth held under it and closing it as soon as water appears. Afterwards check the system pressure and top up if the system is designed to be refilled. Then vacuum the fins and the gap behind, and keep long curtains and furniture off the front face.Things to watchCold at the bottom is not solved by venting and usually needs the system flushing, which is trade work. Reflective panels only help on external walls and only if fitted flat against the wall with an air gap kept at the front. If air keeps returning to the same radiator week after week, something is drawing it in and the cause is worth finding rather than repeatedly venting.**More in Heating, Cooling & Water:** [Hot Water Pipe Insulation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/hot-water-pipe-insulation/) · [Heat Pump Basics](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heat-pump-basics/) \| [All Heating, Cooling & Water entries](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) \| [Catalogue index](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/) | »Catalogue StatusThis catalogue holds **18** entries across **4** sections.Entries are written to be read and worked from. Nothing here is ordered, priced or supplied.»Start Here[Air Sealing Gaps And Cracks](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/air-sealing-gaps-and-cracks/)[Attic And Loft Insulation](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/attic-and-loft-insulation/)[Weatherstripping Doors](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/weatherstripping-doors/)[Thermostat Settings And Zoning](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/thermostat-settings-and-zoning/)[Radiator And Baseboard Care](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/radiator-and-baseboard-care/) |
|---|---|---|
|  | HW-03Straightforward · Before winterVenting, clearing and reflecting so emitters give out the heat they receive. |  |
| Section | [Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/) |  |
| Reference | HW-03 |  |
| Difficulty | Straightforward |  |
| Season | Before winter |  |
| Typical scope | A morning for a whole house |  |
| What it affects | Heat output, boiler running time, noise |  |

4 sections · 18 entries · 5 index pages

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[Building Envelope](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/building-envelope/)

[Heating, Cooling & Water](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/heating-cooling-water/)

[Water & Outside](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/water-and-outside/)

[Materials & Finishes](https://betterhomebetterplanet.com/catalogue/materials-and-finishes/)

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