Thermostatic radiator valves

MartialArtMan

I currently have Thermostatic radiator valves fitted to my rads but a couple of them have broken and need replacing. Thing is our house is quite large and open plan so despite the settings on the valves the rads seem to stay on permanently.

So I'm wondering whether it's worth replacing them with new thermostatic ones or just put cheaper, neater standard valves on?

27col

If your radiators are on most of the time, then it sounds as if they are not large enough for the volume that they are trying to heat, or perhaps the house is not sufficiently insulated. It might be a good idea, if while the system is drained to fit new valves, you have a couple of larger radiators fitted in the problem areas. If a thermostatic valve is continually calling for heat it is because the heat being supplied is being lost rather more rapidly than it should be. This loss can only be due to bad insulation or draughts etc.
A thorough check on the state of your insulation might turn out to be time well spent.

MartialArtMan

Thanks for the reply. So you think that I should replace them with thermostatic valves then.

Our house is a bit drafty which is something that I want to be addressing this autumn but like I said it is also quite large, saying that it does get pretty hot in here at times probably because the o/h has the thermostats open to full most of the time!

Incisor

MartialArtMan wrote: »

Thanks for the reply. So you think that I should replace them with thermostatic valves then.

Our house is a bit drafty which is something that I want to be addressing this autumn but like I said it is also quite large, saying that it does get pretty hot in here at times probably because the o/h has the thermostats open to full most of the time!

Yes, useless if they are used like that. If they are marked 1 to 5 you put them up by 1/4 if it is too cold and another 1/4 20 mins later and so on - and down 1/4 if it is too hot. But if they are always whacked to the end stops, then it is a total waste of time fitting thermostatic valves.

pattycake

I had thermostatic radiator valves fitted when I had a new boiler 4 years ago. They work well enough as we have a 4 bed house for two of us so we can reduce heat in the unused rooms.

However, the radiator in one of our bathrooms has not got a thermostatic valve. The plumber who fitted the boiler said this was necessary as a sort of control if all the other valves were off. This means in effect that if the heating is on, the pump is running and that radiator is hot. I have to keep the door jammed open as it gets very, very warm in that bathroom. Is it really necessary to have one radiator without the thermostatic valve?

Mutton_Geoff

Is it really necessary to have one radiator without the thermostatic valve?

Yes.

I have to keep the door jammed open as it gets very, very warm in that bathroom

You can still turn it down so the flow is restricted a little and the room not so hot. The boiler will have overtemperature protection on it anyway.

ifti

i have read you should keep one of your rads without a TRV as it saves the boiler pump from early breakdown

the room where the room thermostat is, should not have a TRV installed

MartialArtMan

I don't have a room thermostat anywhere, do I need one if I have thermostatic valves?

ifti

nope. all it does is turn the heating off when the house it at its set temp. it also turns the heating on if its too cold in the house rather then just on from your heating time

it kind of controls your heating using temperature and comes after the heating timing circuit

so if your heating timings are on and the temp on the thermo isnt reached the heating wont come on cause its too warm in the house/room already.

but will come on when the thermo temp is lower than that of the house and go off when ts reached.

hope this helps

MartialArtMan

Thanks for all the replies. Upon closer inspection I have found that the valves do not need replacing as it is possible to just replace the heads, they are Drayton TRV4 anyone know where I can pick up some bargains?