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With December on the horizon and a cold snap hitting the UK last week, the heating is likely in use now in households across the UK. Now a plumbing expert has explained exactly when it should be used and how to get the best out of radiators.

The team at Yell has spoken to plumbing expert David Doran at Blackstone Plumbing & Heating Ltd. He recommended that now may be the time to reach for the thermostat.

David said: "It's advisable to consider turning on your heating when indoor temperatures consistently drop below 18C (64F). For elderly or vulnerable people, maintaining a temperature around 20C (68F) is recommended. In many places, mid-October is when temperatures typically start dropping, making it a common time to turn on heating."

The most common heating mistakes

David highlights the most common mistakes Brits are making when it comes to their heating and his recommendations.

Not bleeding radiators can reduce the efficiency of your heating

David advises that by "not bleeding radiators, trapped air in radiators can cause cold spots and reduce efficiency". People often forget to bleed their radiators regularly, leading to uneven heating and higher energy costs.

Signs of a sludgy system or one that needs bleeding include cold spots at the bottom of your radiator or finding they take longer than others to heat up fully. Regularly check your radiators by simply bleeding a little of the system water into a container from your radiator valve.

This way you can keep on top of any maintenance that may be needed, as well as ensure no unnecessary money is being spent. If you are unsure, you can call your local plumber to have a look or even replace the system with a new boiler or radiator, if needed.

How to bleed a radiator

Start by turning on your central heating. You'll need to figure out where all the cold spots are before you can get rid of them. Give the system time to fully heat, or you might miss something. Once you've pinpointed where the problems are, turn off the heating.

You'll need a few items for bleeding radiators, including a radiator bleed key. If you can't find a radiator key, don't worry. A flathead screwdriver is usually fine, and you can visit a hardware store if you'd prefer a key. You'll also need a cloth and a bucket.

On each radiator, you'll find a small, round valve. It's usually at the top of the radiator.

Place the bowl under the valve in case of spills. Then insert the radiator key (or flathead screwdriver) and hold the cloth right underneath.

Turn the key anti-clockwise to open the valve. Usually, you'll only need one-and-a-half turns.

You'll hear a hissing sound as the radiator leaks air. A solid sign that everything's going according to plan. Keep the key turned until water starts coming out and the hissing stops. This tells you there's no air left.

When water is flowing freely, it's time to close the valve. After this, you should feel confident that your radiator system is free from trapped air. Turn your central heating back on and check whether the radiators are heating evenly. You might need to bleed the radiators again if you still find cold spots. If that still doesn't work, you might need a more serious radiator repair.

Keeping the heating on at all times

You may have heard the advice that it's more efficient to keep your heating on low at all times; however, David advises otherwise: "It's generally more efficient to heat your home only when needed. Using a timer or smart thermostat can help maintain comfortable temperatures while reducing energy waste."

David also highlighted that, when you do put your heating on, setting the thermostat too high or cranking it up won't heat your home faster. It just makes the boiler work longer, leading to higher energy consumption. David recommended setting the thermostat to a reasonable temperature - around 18 C to 21C or 64C to 70F - for comfort and efficiency.

Blocking radiators makes your heating work harder

A common mistake that many homeowners make is blocking radiators with large furniture or heavy curtains; doing so obstructs heat distribution, making your heating less effective. David recommends that people "ensure radiators have enough space around them to allow warm air to circulate freely".

Leaving the heating on overnight can be costly

While it may be tempting to leave the heating on overnight, David recommended otherwise: "Some people keep the heating on high overnight, which is unnecessary and costly. Lowering the thermostat or using programmable heating schedules during the night saves energy. Alternatively, using thicker duvets and warm clothing can keep you comfortable without relying on heating."

Consider programming your heating to go off 20 minutes before you go to sleep; that way any residual heat will remain in the house for when you go to bed.

Heating all rooms to the same temperature is inefficient

Heating all rooms to the same temperature is inefficient if some rooms aren't used regularly. David recommended installing thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs); these allow you to control the temperature in each room individually, saving energy.

Much like your thermostat, ensuring your thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) are set to low will save you more money than you may realise. You can then gradually turn these up until the room is left at the desired temperature.