Fall has officially begun, and temperatures will soon begin to drop across the country. It's likely you haven't turned on your heating just yet, but before you do, there's one simple task to do this September that HVAC experts suggest ticking off.
While it will take just a few minutes and requires only a humble hairdryer, it's an easy way to ensure your radiators heat up faster when you need them in fall and winter.
Here, experts explain exactly how to do it, and why it works to make heating more efficient in your own home.
How to Heat Rooms Quicker This Fall
As mentioned, this simple tip requires only a hairdryer, such as the Revlon Compact Hair Dryer, available at Walmart, and involves using it to blow away built-up dust and debris that's settled on radiators over the spring and summer months.
'Use the cool air setting, work from the top down, hold the hairdryer a few inches away from the radiator, and try to angle it downward through the top grille or between the fins,' advises Bob Caldwell, Owner of Cardwell HVAC. This makes cleaning behind radiators easier than ever, and means you can simply use your best vacuum to clean beneath them once finished.
Just be careful you don't hold the hairdryer too close, warns Bob. 'It can push dust deeper into the radiator rather than blow it out toward the floor,' he explains.
Much like the way that moving furniture away makes radiators heat up faster, this trick ultimately works by improving air circulation.
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'It helps the radiator heat up the rooms a little bit faster because there's no layer of dust that can sometimes act as insulation and reduce heat transfer,' says Bob. 'A hairdryer helps where a regular vacuum, even with a brush or crevice attachment, can’t reach. It simply blows away all loose dust sitting between narrow fins and in tight gaps.
'A vacuum sucks up the dust, but a hairdryer pushes air through the radiator, which allows you to remove even the dust sitting deep between the fins, behind internal panels, and in narrow gaps away from the surface.'
Then, for any residual dust, use a tool for perfectly dust-free radiators, such as a Scrub Daddy Damp Duster, available at Amazon.
This simple way to tackle this germ hot-spot to clean before turning the heating on takes just a few minutes, but you'll reap the rewards all fall and winter long.
What to Shop
From radiator cleaning essentials to the best space heaters, these cold-weather buys are guaranteed to keep a home warm all day.
All prices were correct at the time of publication.
This radiator brush efficiently removes stubborn dirt without scratching surfaces. It's highly resistant to wear and tear and will also come in handy when cleaning coils on a fridge.
A space heater quickly warms a space and costs less than central heating. This one is adjustable, with three distinct heat settings, and features a compact footprint and straightforward manual dial controls.
OXO Good Grips Hand Duster
This OXO duster features a generously sized microfiber head to cover a large surface with every swipe and a soft, non-slip grip for comfortable cleaning. It effectively traps and holds dust without the need for cleaning chemicals.
This handy set has everything you need to clean your radiators and beyond. The handle extends from 30 to 50 inches for tackling hard-to-reach areas like behind the radiator.
Meet the Expert
Bob is the Owner of Cardwell HVAC and a seasoned heating, cooling, and plumbing expert with over a decade of hands-on experience serving South Jersey homeowners and businesses.
This quick fix for slow-heating radiators instantly solves cold spots.
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