Turning off old style TRV radiators?

Gowingnator

Hi all!

I've noticed on pretty much all of the radiators in my home have an old style TRV, Danfoss brand.

There's a few settings I understand, like the numbers and frost protection, but the others baffle me. 

Wanting to turn some of them off and can't figure out how as there isn't a 0 on most of them.

I can pull the white cover and turn it if this helps!

I've attached pictures as I don't know the model numbers.

NSG666

Turn the heads clockwise as far as they will go. If that does not work there's a good chance the valve is stuck - I (or someone) will explain how to free them off if necessary.

Gowingnator

NSG666 said:

Turn the heads clockwise as far as they will go. If that does not work there's a good chance the valve is stuck - I (or someone) will explain how to free them off if necessary.

So it's on the blue triangle with blue line?

tacpot12

Gowingnator said:

NSG666 said:

Turn the heads clockwise as far as they will go. If that does not work there's a good chance the valve is stuck - I (or someone) will explain how to free them off if necessary.

So it's on the blue triangle with blue line?

No. The blue triangle with the blue line is the lowest setting that you should be using for rooms that are in use. You might use this setting for a bedroom. 

The red triangle with the red line is the highest setting that you should be  using for rooms that  are in use. You might ude this setting in your lounge, but you can turn it down to any setting but should not go beyond the blue line/triangle. 

The star is the Frost Prevention setting. You should turn the TRV to this setting for rooms that are unoccupied. You should never turn TRVs fully off unless you need to isolate the radiator to remove it. 

To turn the TRV off, turn it all the way up to the red line/triangle, and then turn it all the way down, past the blue line/triangle and past the Frost Prevention star. If it won't go beyond the Frost Prevention start the valve is stuck. 

Freeing them is a matter of removing the thermostatic head (the black plastic ring at the  base of the  TRV just unscrews) and pushing down on the pin in the centre of the valve with a spanner or hammer head. Sometimes it can be useful to apply a tiny squirt of WD-40 to the pin and leave it for 5 minutes before trying to push it down, and sometime it is necessary to tap the pin lightly with a hammer to free it off.

When refitting the head, turn the head on the body of the valve until it seats correctly - they usually have a detent that the head locates into. 

NSG666

Are you trying to turn them off so that the radiators don't get hot or are you wanting to remove the radiators? If the former then just leave them on the frost setting. Looking at the age of them they will probably stick if left closed for any length of time. Free off as per tacpot but I'll add that on some Honeywell valves the black collar is spring loaded so you have to turn the collar with one hand about 1/4 turn then pull the head off.

Another_Level

As already mentioned the red arrow&line is the maximum setting and the blue arrow&line is minimum setting (not an off setting-valve opens at 5 degree C)
The red symbol in between is a keymark en certification, means nothing 

There is no off setting, its all temperature controlled.

Its an old valve 

Gowingnator

Thank you all for the replies!

Just did some testing and not all radiators heat up. We are renting so will mention this to estate agent.

I bled a couple radiators this morning and air got out the system. 2 radiators are very hot to the touch even on lowest setting!

FreeBear

Sounds like the TRVs have reached the end of their useful life.

Write to the landlord, not the agent, and inform them of the faulty heating. A letter is best, not email or text. Once the LL is aware of the problem, he/she is obligated to get it fixed.

NSG666

Gowingnator said:

Thank you all for the replies!

Just did some testing and not all radiators heat up. We are renting so will mention this to estate agent.

I bled a couple radiators this morning and air got out the system. 2 radiators are very hot to the touch even on lowest setting!

If you bled any air out did you top the system pressure back up? Probably wants to be c. 1bar when cold.

Typical symptoms at this time of year and shouldn't take the plumber/handyman long to sort them out.