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If your home's radiators don't have an automatic purge system and aren't heating evenly or not at all, you might need to vent them. (It's also called bleeding or purging.) Venting the radiator gets rid of air that is trapped inside, which prevents the radiator from heating up efficiently. It's a good idea to vent or radiators at least twice a year and throughout the heating season.
To vent the radiator, get your hands on an empty bucket and rag (to mop up spills), and follow these directions:
1. If you have central heat, turn off the system.
2. Open the valves on radiators and convectors to let out air (you'll hear some hissing — that's the air escaping). Keep them open until water starts coming out. Catch the water in a bucket or container.
3. Close the valve.
4. Move on to the next radiator and repeat the process.
5. When you're done with all the radiators, turn on your central heating system if you have one.
Don't forget to drain the boiler to get rid of rust and mineral deposits. Read the manufacturer's instructions, and then follow the steps below:
1. Turn off the power and water.
2. Flush the boiler drain cock. To do this, stick the end of a garden hose into the drain cock.
3. Open the vent valves on a radiator located on the top floor of your house. This lets air into the pipes which, in turn, makes the water bleed through the system.
4. Turn on the water supply valve so fresh water will flush through the system. The valve is located on the water pipe going into the furnace.
5. When the water stops running, close the drain cock and vents. Even though they're closed, the water will continue flowing into the boiler and through the system.
 | Systems with a pressure regulating valve automatically turns off the water when the boiler is full. With other systems, you must watch the pressure gauge. Refer to the owner's operating manual to find out what level is recommended by the manufacturer, and then let out the air in each convector, if needed, until the pressure is at the operating level. |
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