Trv's do i need lock sheilds?? Also motorized valves.

ninja.turtle007

Hi,

I'm looking to replace of the valves on my radiators to allow me to have more control over my heating and also maybe save some money on my heating bill!!

What i would like to know is do i need lock shields (whatever they are) or can just replace the valve at one end of the radiator with a TRV. Also does it matter which end of the radiator i place the TRV?

One more thing whilst i'm here. The motorized valve on the hot water system keeps sticking. I presume it just needs taking off and cleaning inside. I will need to drain this but is this the same as draining the main system i.e. radiators?

Your help will be much appreciated as i like to know exactly what to do before i start.

Many thanks

Tom

Mutton_Geoff

A lockshield is the valve on the outflow side of the radiator that you don't normally adjust (except when setting up and balancing the system).

The TRV's are usually directional with an arrow marked on the metal part of the valve to indicate flow direction. They should go on the inlet side of the radiator. You can work out which side that is by quickly feeling all the pipes when you first turn the system on. The inlet side will be hottest.

The motorised part of the Y valve can usually be changed without draining the system unless it is the internal (wet) part of the valve that is sticking. Have you tried helping it open and shut a few times with the little lever? That sometimes frees them up.

ninja.turtle007

Thanks for the response. Do i need the lock shields as well?

With the motorized valves i have sprayed it with a little WD40 and moved the manually a few time but to no avail.

Thanks

ninja.turtle007

Sorry i just read your reply again. I only need to purchase the TRV's. Is it worth buying the Drayton ones or are the cheaper ones okay too.

Pssst

You can just fit the TRV. You will need to know which pipe on each radiator is the flow pipe and mark it with a bit of coloured tape. Depending on make of TRV,they must be fitted on flow/return or sometimes either...generally on the flow pipe though.

RE your divertor valve,,what make is it? is it kinda square with a grey metal coloured top? if so its probably honeywell. If its squarish with a yellow coloured plastic top it is probably a Drayton or similar. If its Drayton your probably stuffed and will have to replace the motor and valve body..not cheap. Either way your talking a full drain off so do be careful or you may get very wet !

ninja.turtle007

it's a honeywell. Before i take it off to clean are there any spare i should buy?

Mutton_Geoff

Do i need the lock shields as well?

If you're replacing the valves, the radiators should already have them. If they're very old you might want to consider replacing them if they leak when you start to adjust them (remove the plastic cap by pulling or undoing the screw) and replace the cap with the control one temporarily.

cheaper TRV's

In my experience the cheaper ones are noisy in operation so you might not want them in your bedrooms.

andrew-b

TRVs don't necessarily have to go on the radiator flow pipe. Our Danfoss one's can be fitted to either flow or return pipe. You still have to work out which pipe is flow and which is return and then twist a small collar on the valve to set it up right but it gives you a bit more flexibility if for example there isn't phyiscally the space to fit a bulky trv.

As for noisy, well i've never ever noticed any noise from any of our TRVs - either honeywell or danfoss ones. I can't really see why there should be.

Andy

Mutton_Geoff

never ever noticed any noise from any of our TRVs - either honeywell or danfoss ones

Both of those makes I'd consider a decent brand. The "Giacomini" ones installed in this house whistle away at regular intervals. They might have been cheap for the plumber but I bet the workers in the factory are always looking out of the window instead of concentrating on quality control :rotfl:

Giacomini Factory (from their website) ..

vaio

andrew-b wrote: »

……..As for noisy, well I’ve never ever noticed any noise from any of our TRVs - either honeywell or danfoss ones. I can't really see why there should be.

Andy

The noise from ours comes when the valve goes from almost closed to closed (or closed to a little open) it’s a high pitched whistle (but audible to 50yo ears)