Thermostatic Radiator Values with timers

AMO

Hi there,

We are looking to put Thermostatic Radiator Valves onto our radiators.

Ideally we'd want some kind of timer or remote control so that the radiators downstairs would switch off even though the boiler is likely to be on as it heats the upstairs.

Our house's previous owners put some new trvs on the extension, but one has already stopped working - I am not sure if this is because it was a poor trv make or whether the trvs are not supposed to be turned on a daily basis.

1) What are the best trvs to go for?
2) Which ones are best to go for with timers?
3) Are the ones with remote controls any good?

Thanks.

southcoastrgi

drayton trv4 are the best & most expensive, why are you turning the trv's on a daily basis ? just set them to the temp you want the room & then leave them alone, remote control ones are designed for rads with covers so you can put the sensing control outside of the boxing, to do what you want would req 2 heating circuits one for down & one for up & would req alot of re-piping & loads of money

don't forget you can't have a trv on the rad where the room stat is

keystone

Seen these things advertised on t'interwebz but am not convinced.

Think I'd just create two heating zones tbh. Seems a much more robust solution.

Cheers

jennifernil

You CAN get TRVs with a timer, see here....

http://www.pegleryorkshire.co.uk/EN/News/Terrier/TerrierItemplaunch

http://www.plumbtap.com/product/Terrier_I-Temp_PRC_I30_-_Vertical_635001?gclid=CKnxr7KJ9bICFWLHtAodSX0ARg

keithu

As well as the Pegler programmable TRVs threre are others from Honeywell and Danfoss:

www.homexpertbyhoneywell.com/en-GB/Products/TRV/Rondostat/Pages/default.aspx

www.plumbingsupplyservices.co.uk/acatalog/Danfoss_Living_Eco__Radiator_Thermostat_Packs.htm

(sorry - can't post live links yet)

They are all a bit chunky so make sure you have enough room to fit them before purchase. I think the Danfoss is the most compact.

ic

I have three of these in my house: http://www.conrad-uk.com/ce/en/product/615950/Homexpert-by-Honeywell-Rondostat-HR20-Style-Radiator-Thermostat/SHOP_AREA_37360&promotionareaSearchDetail=005

I've basically configured the overall system to heat mornings and evenings, and longer at weekends via the main programmable thermostat, but then using these TRVs my bathroom only gets heated to full temp in the morning, and the living room only gets heated to full temp in the evenings and at the weekend. They were a straight swap for the existing TRV, screwing off the existing head - no plumbing required.

The rooms both have a more consistent temp with these - the old TRVs weren't as responsive to the room reaching temperature. I must be saving something by not unnecessarily heating the rooms when I don't need to (their doors are kept closed). If you're considering these for a bedroom note they do quietly whirr, its probably quite loud in the dead of night and could bother light sleepers. The batteries need replacing annually. These are upside down when fitted - but the head pops off for programming, and actually being upside down works, when you bend over the temp is the right way up for your point of view!

Note however that your valve that isn't working could be jammed - I've seen posts about taking the head off and giving the pin a tap with a hammer to get it going again - search for posts about this.

southcoastrgi

ic good to hear some feedback on these, i've spoken to 3 different installers in the merchants today & not one of them had heard of "timed trv's" just goes to show, i read alot of trade press every month & until this thread yesterday I didn't know they existed either, so in this case, customer 1 tradeperson 0

jonesjw

I'm thinking about trying these.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Eurotronic-Programmable-Energy-Saving-Radiator-Thermostat/dp/B004CMDOTQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1351334915&sr=8-1