Most radiators have a valve at each end, and they do two very different jobs. Knowing which is which can help you heat your home more evenly and waste less energy.
The one with numbers on it, usually 0 or * to 5 or 6, is a thermostatic radiator valve, or TRV. It senses the temperature in the room and reduces the flow of hot water into the radiator once the room reaches the level you’ve set. Lower numbers mean a cooler room. Around 3 is a common setting for living rooms, with lower settings for bedrooms and rooms you don’t use much.
The valve at the other end, usually under a plain plastic cap, is the lockshield. It isn’t meant for day-to-day use. It’s set by an engineer when the system is balanced, so that radiators close to the boiler don’t take all the hot water and leave the ones further away lukewarm.
A few tips:
- Don’t fit a TRV on the radiator in the same room as your main thermostat, as the two can work against each other
- Keep furniture and curtains away from TRVs so they read the room correctly
- If a TRV seems stuck, the pin underneath the head may need freeing
If some rooms are always colder than others even with the TRVs turned up, the system may need balancing.
Our engineers can help with heating controls and radiators, from replacing old valves to balancing the whole system.
Give us a call on 01296 425 424 or get in touch and we’ll get every room warming up properly.