TRV’s

jimjam83

We’ve recently bought a Victorian terrace and would like to have more control over the heating in the rooms we use most/least. We’ve had Hive installed and are now considering upgrading the (really old) TRV’s with new ones. We’ve had a few tradesmen around and some of them have commented that we have 10mm pipes leading to/from the radiators. Is it still possible to attach modern TRV’s to these?! I’ve read good reviews about Drayton TRV4’s but they seem to be for 15mm only. Is it possible to buy adaptors for these types of things?!

FreeBear

Depending on the age of the TRVs, you may be able to replace just the heads. If not, 10mm->15mm reducers could be an option. Do you have copper or plastic pipe ?

Another option - https://www.screwfix.com/p/honeywell-vtl120-10a-white-angled-trv-lockshield-10mm-x-g/597fv

Then fit a "smart" head.

jimjam83

I believe they’re copper pipes. Those smart heads cost a fortune, are they worth it?!

FreeBear

jimjam83 said: Those smart heads cost a fortune, are they worth it?!

In a small house where the radiators are easily accessible, probably not. In a larger house with good levels of insulation, they might be a fair substitute for zone valves..

Got a "smart" heating system here. Much easier to go round turning the (manual) TRVs down in the one or two unused rooms.

troffasky

Are your old TRVs not working?

Jeepers_Creepers

Hi JimJam.

As said above, you can either fit TRVs which 10mm fittings, or else your plumber can solder neat 'reducers' to 15mm for you to install 15mm TRVs. Since the 10mm ones above are Honeywell make and seem reasonably priced, I see no need to go the reducer route.

As for the Hive Smart TRV heads, I presume this gives you full control over each one via wireless app? Yes they are expensive, but if you currently don't have any separate zones in your system (eg for bedrooms) then it should mean you could effectively shut off certain rooms during the day, only to come on at night just before bed, and again before you wake up. That will undoubtedly lead to both a saving in energy and a nicer level of comfort.

But entirely your call whether it's worth it.

If your bedrooms are on a different floor level so that it's easy to add a zone valve to control them as one, then that's another consideration to make since you are having your system drained down anyway. This would be controlled by another Hive thermostat positioned in a main bedroom or the hallway, and again should save you energy and provide ideal temp settings for bedroom use.

Regardless of what you go for, since you have 10mm pipework, you should take extra precautions to ensure they cannot become blocked with sludge - if you don't already have one fitted, seriously consider a magnetic filter and have the plumber add both 'inhibitor' AND a long-term cleaner to your system on refill. And make sure he demonstrates to you how to check and clean the filter every few months or so. I've just added a Fernox product to mine which is a combined treatment, but cannot really comment yet on how well it works. https://www.screwfix.com/p/fernox-62234-central-heating-filter-fluid-protector-500ml/7917r

EssexExile

jimjam83 said:

We’ve recently bought a Victorian terrace and would like to have more control over the heating in the rooms we use most/least. We’ve had Hive installed and are now considering upgrading the (really old) TRV’s with new ones. We’ve had a few tradesmen around and some of them have commented that we have 10mm pipes leading to/from the radiators. Is it still possible to attach modern TRV’s to these?! I’ve read good reviews about Drayton TRV4’s but they seem to be for 15mm only. Is it possible to buy adaptors for these types of things?!

Our plumber did exactly that. He replaced cheap and nasty noisy old TRVs with new Drayton TRV4s on our microbore system using reducers as mentioned above.

jimjam83

troffasky said:

Are your old TRVs not working?

There are old ones of only 4 of the 9 radiators, for some reason. I’m thinking I’m as well of getting all of them replaced rather than getting new ones on half of them....I’m also considering replacing the radiators completely now......when to stop?!!!