Radiator valves query

aliasojo

When our central heating was installed, we were asked specifically which side of the rad we wanted the thermostatic control to go on. I don't know if this was just a courtesy question so they could comply with our preference or if it mattered during the installation of the pipework runs.

It became clear afterwards that one bedroom in particular would have been better if the thermostatic head was on the side opposite to the one I originally chose.

Is there any reason why I can't get the valves swapped over now? The thermostat is a bi-directional one. Would it just be case of swapping valves and the pipework wouldn't need touched?

gas4you

Yes, just do as you have posted

ormus

no.
with a two pipe system, one is the feed and tother one is the return.
you would need to get under the floorboards and swap over the the two pipes to the rad.

(a two pipe CH system is the most common method).

robowen

shouldn't really matter which side of the rad the TRV is on if its a bi-directional one. but usually I'd put them on the flow side for my own preference...as a matter of habit.

should be able to swap over a bi-directional TRV with no altering of the pipework necessary.

aliasojo

Mixed replies. Problem is, floorboards are up right now so if anything needs altered, it needs done now. I'd be gutted if the new floor went down and then plumber tells me he needs to cut it up again.

ormus

it will work, but its not good practice.

robowen

2-0 and 1 on the fence for swapping them over. lol

latecomer

Perhaps bad practice but the valve will still shut off the flow and hence have the same effect regardless of which pipe its on. I'd say just swap the valves.

roger196

In the early days, TRV's had to be fitted on the flow side. If they were put on the return, they would frequently cause water hammer. Nowadays most TRV's are bi-directional so you fit to the end which is most convenient. Putting them on the flow side is just a convention based on old practice.

swagman

We have some radiators with a trv on the flow, others on the return. In practice it seems to make no difference in the way they operate.

When the heating was upgraded some were swapped over so as to place the trvs in a 'better' position in the rooms e.g. not right by a doorway.

It seems fine.

andyhop

ormus wrote: »

it will work, but its not good practice.

Bi-Directional valves are designed to be universal....Please explain to a heating engineer why its not good practice, As you must know something i dont

Swap valves over and leave pipework as is, Will work fine