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As households across the UK brace for colder temperatures and rising energy costs, experts have revealed the most common household issues that could be silently driving up heating bills this winter - and the simple maintenance steps that could save homeowners hundreds of pounds a year.

One of the biggest culprits, according to experts at Rainbow Rubbish Removals, is poorly maintained radiators, which can significantly reduce heating efficiency and force boilers to work harder than necessary.

Over time, radiators naturally collect dust, rust, dirt and limescale, which can build up inside the system as sludge. This restricts the flow of hot water, leading to uneven heating and cold spots - a clear sign that energy is being wasted.

In fact, the firm adds, this inefficiency can increase annual heating bills by as much as 25%. For a typical three-bedroom semi-detached home with an energy efficiency rating of D, currently spending around £2,347 a year on energy, this could mean potential savings of more than £580 annually simply by ensuring radiators are properly maintained.

One of the simplest and most effective maintenance tasks is bleeding radiators, which removes trapped air that prevents them from heating up fully. This can be done using a radiator key and involves releasing a small amount of air until water begins to escape - a quick job that can dramatically improve efficiency. Experts recommend bleeding radiators once a year, ideally in autumn, before the heating is switched on regularly.

Failing to do so means more energy is required to heat rooms, pushing bills higher and potentially shortening the lifespan of the entire heating system. Dust build-up on and behind radiators can also reduce heat circulation and prevent warm air from properly entering the room.

Miroslav Radov at Rainbow Rubbish Removals commented: "It is also important to clean all areas of the radiator, including the back, to remove the dusk, use a long, thin radiator brush to reach the back and between panels. Hoovering with a small nozzle attachment can also work well, or using a hair dryer to push the dust towards the floor and then hoovering up the excess. Upon hoovering up as much dust as you can, wipe the surface again with a cloth and luke-warm soapy water."