You remove air from a heating system by slowly opening a valve designed for this purpose, which allows trapped air to escape.
Rephrasing the Question
The original question, "How do you remove air from heat?" is somewhat ambiguous. Heat itself doesn't contain air. The question should more accurately be: "How do you remove trapped air from a heating system?" because air bubbles within the system impede the efficient transfer of heat.
Removing Air From a Heating System
The primary method to remove trapped air is by bleeding air from the system using air valves. Here's how it works, utilizing the information from the reference:
- Locate Air Valves: Find the bleed valves within your heating system. These are commonly found on radiators, but may also be located elsewhere in the system.
- Prepare for Water: Have a cloth or container ready to catch any water that may escape.
- Slowly Open the Valve: Use a radiator key or appropriate tool to slowly open the valve.
- Hissing Sound: You should hear a slight hissing sound as air escapes. The reference confirms that "a slight hissing sound when you first loosen the valve, which is an excellent sign that trapped air is being removed from the system".
- Water May Drip: Be aware that some water may drip out as air is released.
- Close the Valve: When no more air comes out, and only water is escaping, close the valve completely.
Why Remove Air From a Heating System?
Air trapped in a heating system can lead to several issues:
- Reduced Heating Efficiency: Air bubbles prevent hot water from circulating properly, reducing the overall effectiveness of the heating system.
- Noisy System: Trapped air can cause gurgling or banging sounds in the pipes.
- Corrosion: Air in the system can contribute to internal corrosion and damage over time.
Example Scenarios
- Radiators Cold at the Top: This is a classic sign of trapped air. Bleeding the radiator will usually solve this issue.
- Noisy Pipes: If you hear gurgling, banging, or other unusual noises from your heating system, air is likely to blame.
- Uneven Heating: If some radiators are warm, and others are cold, trapped air might be preventing even distribution of heat.
Steps Summary
Here's a summary of the air bleeding process:
| Step | Action | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Locate the bleed valve. | Determine where to release the trapped air. |
| 2 | Prepare a cloth or container. | To catch any escaping water. |
| 3 | Slowly open the bleed valve. | Air will escape with a hissing sound, and some water might drip. |
| 4 | Close the bleed valve when only water escapes | The system should be free of air. |
