Fitting Radiator Thermostats (Gas Central Heating)

seven-day-weekend

We are just fitting thermostats to some radiators that don't have one (bedroom, kitchen, bathroom).

I have heard that you have to leave one without a thermostat. Is this true? And if so, should it be the one that is nearest the boiler (the kitchen) or the coldest room (the bathroom, which is downstairs next to the kitchen, separated by a lobby ). We don't have a wall thermostat but there is a timer on the boiler.

Thanks.

flashg67

Normally would be he one in the room that has the room stat, so if you haven't got a stat, I can't see that it matters - in fact, it may be that all the radiators then need thermostatic valves?

southcoastrgi

yes as flash said the room (normally the hall) that has the room stat fitted shouldn't have a trv fitted, trv's allow the rooms to be set to the temps that are most comfortable, ie cooler bedrooms, but if you are hoping to save money on the gas bill then you should get a room stat fitted, even a reduction of one or two degrees on the room stat will save alot on the heating bills, which you won't get just by using the boiler stat & trv's

MoneyMate

Makes sense to me to have thermostatic valves on all rads to give you maximum flexibility for best individual room temperature control.

southcoastrgi

it might make sense to you however it should be as posts #2 & #3

chopps

Isn't it also to stop putting a strain on the pump in case all trv's were turned off.

southcoastrgi

one rad not having a trv is for the room stat, however you are correct in a way, most systems req a bypass, some times the boiler will have one built in or there may be one in the airing cupboard, but yes the pump needs somewhere to pump if the trv's turn off

Mr_Ted

:)Without a room stat you will be pumping water heated to whatever the boiler stat is set to with no gain if all the TRV's are satisfied as the system pipework will still be being heated, and money burnt;)

seven-day-weekend

Thanks everyone, it is quite a new boiler and it came with a 'portable' thermostat that you could set it to the temperature of the room you were in, but the boiler broke (wouldn't fire up) a couple of years ago and the bloke who mended it said it was that causing the trouble and disconnected it. TBH, he didn't seem to know what he was doing

We still have it, should we try and fit it up again? ( Although if it was faulty the system won't work at all). Maybe we should just get a new one.

We don't have a hall or an airing cupboard

seven-day-weekend

Whilst not doubting what anyone says, I don't see why you need a room thermostat if you have thermostats on the rads. We have the upstairs and cellar rads set on 1, they hardly ever come on. Dining room 2.5, living room 2. What difference would a wall thermostat make? Genuinely puzzled here!

Answers in plain English please!

chopps

The room thermostat will control the boiler coming on/off whereas
radiator valves are simply flow controllers for 'fine-tuning' of each individual room's temperature.
You will still need a room thermostat as the main on/off controller.