What should I do if the radiator dissipates heat poorly? Summary of popular solutions across the network in the past 10 days
As temperatures continue to drop in winter, the issue of radiator heat dissipation has become a hot topic on the Internet recently. According to monitoring data, in the past 10 days, the search volume for "radiator not hot" has increased by 230% month-on-month, and related discussions mainly focus on the following solutions.
1. Analysis of the causes of common radiator heat dissipation problems

| Question type | Proportion | Main performance |
|---|---|---|
| Air blockage | 42% | The upper part is not hot/there is a sound of water flowing |
| Limescale blockage | 28% | Overall temperature unevenness |
| Not enough pressure | 18% | All radiators are not hot |
| Installation issues | 12% | Locally not hot/obvious temperature gradient |
2. Five solutions that are hotly discussed on the Internet
1.Exhaust treatment method: Recently, Douyin's "radiator exhaust" tutorial video has been played more than 8 million times. The specific steps include: close the backwater valve → open the exhaust valve with a screwdriver → close it when you hear a "hissing" sound → slowly open the backwater valve.
2.Professional cleaning services: Meituan data shows that the number of radiator cleaning orders in December increased by 175% year-on-year, and the average cost was between 150-300 yuan. Special note: special pulse equipment is required for floor heating cleaning.
| Cleaning method | Applicable situations | Effect duration |
|---|---|---|
| chemical cleaning | Not cleaned for more than 3 years | 2-3 years |
| Physical cleaning | Newly installed system | 1-2 years |
| High pressure washing | cast iron radiator | 3-5 years |
3.Install circulation pump: Zhihu Hot Post recommends installing a circulation pump in a duplex house, which can increase the room temperature by 3-5°C. However, please note: the power selection needs to match the heating area (100㎡ requires about 25W).
4.Reflective film modification: Xiaohongshu’s popular DIY solution is to stick aluminum foil reflective film behind the radiator. According to actual measurements, the heat dissipation efficiency can be increased by 15%, and the cost is about 20 yuan/㎡.
5.System balance adjustment: The video of the HVAC engineer at Station B pointed out that the end heat dissipation can be improved by adjusting the opening of the water distributor valve (the first end is closed by 1/4 and the end is fully open). This method is suitable for floor heating systems.
3. Maintenance points for radiators made of different materials
| Material type | optimal water temperature | cleaning cycle | Things to note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Steel panel | 60-70℃ | 2 years | Must be filled with water for maintenance |
| Copper aluminum composite | ≤85℃ | 3 years | Strong acid cleaning is prohibited |
| cast iron | Unlimited | 5 years | Pay attention to the interface seal |
4. 3 tips that netizens have recently tested to be effective
1. Weibo user "Warm Winter Diary" shared: Install a small wall fan 1 meter above the radiator to promote hot air circulation and increase the room temperature by 2°C.
2. Recommended article in today’s headlines: Tap the radiator pipe (especially the elbow) gently every week to prevent scale deposition, so be gentle.
3. Douban group discussion: Placing a water basin near the radiator to increase humidity can increase the body temperature by 1-2°C, which is especially suitable for dry areas.
5. Matters needing attention from professional organizations
1. A December report from the China Consumers Association showed that releasing water without permission may cause the system pressure to drop, which in turn affects the heating effect.
2. The National Heating Quality Inspection Center emphasizes that when the room temperature is lower than 18°C, priority should be given to contacting the heating company. It may be a pipe network problem rather than a radiator failure.
3. Safety warning: Douyin platform has removed 37 illegal tutorial videos, which mainly involve dangerous operations such as unauthorized modification of heating systems.
It can be seen from the above hotly discussed solutions on the Internet that solving the problem of radiator heat dissipation requires targeted measures based on specific causes. It is recommended to conduct a simple self-examination (such as exhaust) first, and contact professionals to handle complex problems in a timely manner to ensure safe and efficient heating in winter.
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