Troubleshooting Your Radiator

If your radiator or steam heating system is not functioning properly (not producing enough heat) it may not be an actual problem with your radiator.  It also does not mean you have to replace it, you may just need a repair.  Check the room thermostat and the automatic fuel burning equipment (gas burner, oil burner or coal stoker) to determine if they are malfunctioning first.  Once you find out they are working properly, the problem is probably dealing directly with your radiator.

Hot water or steam enters a radiator at an inlet in the bottom and must rise against the pressure of the air contained in the radiator. A radiator is equipped with an automatic or manual air valve at the top to allow the air to escape and allow the water to steam.  In radiators equipped with automatic air valves, the rising water or steam usually has enough force to push the air in the radiator out though this valve.  The valve will automatically close once a thermostatic control is in contact with the steam or water. If a radiator with an automatic valve is not working, it could be clogged.  To check if the valve is clogged, close the shutoff valve at the bottom of the radiator and unscrew the air valve. If air begins to rush out, open the radiator shutoff valve to see if it will heat up.  If the heat increases it indicates that the air valve is clogged.  If this is the case, remove the air valve and boil it in a solution of water and baking soda for 25 minutes.  Once cleaned out, your radiator will work properly.


A radiator equipped with a manual air valve should be bled of air at the beginning of each heating season. If it fails to heat properly, it should also be bled. This is very easy to do yourself.  Simply open the manual air valve until water or steam begins to run out. The water or steam running out indicates that all the air has been eliminated from the radiator.

Sometimes radiators are painted to improve their appearance. When a metallic paint the heating efficiency will be reduced by 15 to 20 percent.  If you must paint a radiator, use a nonmetallic paint for all surfaces.  Dirty surfaces will also reduce the heating efficiency of a radiator.  Cleaning the radiator will eliminate this problem.

If you are still having problem with your radiator after you troubleshoot it with these steps, you can lean towards a Denver heating and air conditioning company to help.  People do not realize how affordable a heat or air conditioning repair actually can be.  It will save you money in the long run and many headaches!