TRV's

[ihadablackdog]

We have TRV's on all of our radiators apart from the one in the hall where the thermostat is.

We are having our bathroom done with a posh chrome towel radiator.

Do we need a TRV on that, or is it ok to have 2 rads without the TRV?

Logically I think its ok, only drawback is no control over heat in the bathroom but everything else will work as currently.

Drayton do a chrome straight (pipes coming up from floor, not wall) TRV https://www.screwfix.com/p/drayton-trv4-chrome-straight-trv-lockshield-15mm-x/177jr which doesn't look too "sh1t" if I need one.

We have the Hive system so considering their TRV's which give more control than the standard "dumb" ones, so might be an idea to put the Drayton one on as it will then be ready for the Hive.....but those only come in white at the moment, which wouldn't look nice against the chrome.

Any advice appreciated....he's probably gonna fit it on Monday or Tuesday so want to get it ready.

 

[Pondrew]

NO. Do not put TRVs on towel rails, ever.

I could bore you rigid with why but I won't.

Get a pair of these
https://www.screwfix.com/p/verona-chrome-angled-manual-radiator-valves-15mm-x-2-pack/37800

 

[ihadablackdog]

NO. Do not put TRVs on towel rails, ever.

I could bore you rigid with why but I won't.

Get a pair of these
https://www.screwfix.com/p/verona-chrome-angled-manual-radiator-valves-15mm-x-2-pack/37800

Thank-you. Please bore me, or a dummy's guide version.

Ironically, the towel rail came with those valves for free. It was those or the straight version....I thought the pipes were coming from the walls so got the angled ones, but he couldn't re-route the pipes, so I'm hoping they will exchange for the straight version.

 

[Ole gits rule]

NO. Do not put TRVs on towel rails, ever.

I could bore you rigid with why but I won't.

Get a pair of these
https://www.screwfix.com/p/verona-chrome-angled-manual-radiator-valves-15mm-x-2-pack/37800

Just bought those for my bathroom rad - never use TRV on a towel rail said my plumber as well

 

[Pondrew]

Ironically, the towel rail came with those valves for free. It was those or the straight version....I thought the pipes were coming from the walls so got the angled ones, but he couldn't re-route the pipes, so I'm hoping they will exchange for the straight version.

If they came from Screwfix they will exchange them. Screwfix are the best

There are a couple of reasons why towel warmers shouldn't have TRVs, depending on your heating system.

The main reason is the name; 'towel warmer', that is what they are, not radiators. If you had a TRV on there it would shut the warmer down on temp which would give you cold towels. Towel warmers are usually undersized for the heat requirement in a given space, so keeping them 'live' is a good thing. There are other pressure and flow characteristics which are very boring. Just ask that your plumber 'balances' the system using the manual valves; it's not difficult if the plumber knows what they are doing.

 

[john-e89]

100% agree with Pondy....no TRV's on a towel rad.

 

[ihadablackdog]

Cool, Thank-you.

Yes, they were from screwfix so I’ll get them swapped for the straight ones tomorrow.

 

[Smartbear]

Cool, Thank-you.

Yes, they were from screwfix so I’ll get them swapped for the straight ones tomorrow.

I fitted these recently, they look like the straight versions of pondrews recommendation & came from Screwfix-I’ve had no issue with them

Rob

 

[TitanTim]

If you're thinking of the Hive TRVs I would maybe buy one and see how you get on with it before shelling out on the full quota. They seem to have very mixed bagged reviews, software issues, calibration and alsorts and seem to be basically hit and miss. Some people seem to have no issues whilst others end up chucking them. I decided against them in the end.

Tim.

 

[ihadablackdog]

If you're thinking of the Hive TRVs I would maybe buy one and see how you get on with it before shelling out on the full quota. They seem to have very mixed bagged reviews, software issues, calibration and alsorts and seem to be basically hit and miss. Some people seem to have no issues whilst others end up chucking them. I decided against them in the end.

Tim.

Thats a good point.

I did read about calibration issues and didn't really understand was meant by that,

 

[TitanTim]

If you're thinking of the Hive TRVs I would maybe buy one and see how you get on with it before shelling out on the full quota. They seem to have very mixed bagged reviews, software issues, calibration and alsorts and seem to be basically hit and miss. Some people seem to have no issues whilst others end up chucking them. I decided against them in the end.

Tim.

Thats a good point.

I did read about calibration issues and didn't really understand was meant by that,

Hive seem to say that the calibration of the valves can take from hours to days, I'm guessing this is to calibrate them to your heating system with the app/software, they just seem to be very hit and miss when or if they work. I don't know if Tado would be a better alternative.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZd6q_IqMU0

Going by this video if it comes to adjusting the temp manually on the valve, what is the point of them

Seems to much of an unecessary faff to me, especially changing batteries on a load of radiator valves every so often.

Tim.

 

[ihadablackdog]

I like the idea of the hive ones as apparently they interact with our existing hive controls and can call for heat if needed. Perhaps the idea is difficult to translate to reality? Might try a couple in the living room.

Swapped the valves for these https://www.screwfix.com/p/verona-chrome-straight-manual-radiator-valve-15mm-x-2-pack/84816

Also got some of these to go over the pipes to make it look nice https://www.screwfix.com/p/snappit-collar-kit-2-x-500mm-2-x-18mm-chrome-15-x/91437

Ordered these as well as they seem better, but will see what the fitter thinks. Will return the ones we don’t use.
https://www.screwfix.com/p/arroll-pipe-shroud-kit-chrome-18-x-300mm-2-pack/1552g?_requestid=378641

 

[sars]

My old new house, built circa 2008 had TRV's on the towel rail, anyone else have a new build with TRV's? Though they worked when the boiler was heating hot water as well as when the CH was on.

 

[Pondrew]

Though they worked when the boiler was heating hot water as well as when the CH was on.

They shouldn't have done. Takes boiler duty away from the cylinder, which then takes longer to heat the hot water, thus reducing efficiency.
I have bought and renovated many houses. Not one had a heating system that was installed correctly to work efficiently. Admittedly it is easy to install a system that 'works' and most do after a fashion, just not very efficiently.

The only system I've ever had (including my existing developer-built house which is sh*t) with an efficient heating system was in the house I built. I designed the heating system and I'm not a plumber by trade. It really isn't hard to do but your average builder/tradesman invariably does things the easiest, quickest and cheapest way. Classic case of 'it ain't my house so I couldn't care less'.

 

[sars]

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], yep couldn't agree more, we spent £8k on a new system and our bedroom still doesn't get hot I seem to be forever adjusting the flows to each radiator so I can get ours warm in the morning and then I have to run the pressure up to 2.5 bar hot. There's definitely an air block somewhere

 

[ihadablackdog]

If daddy gives me £50k to match what my brother has stolen off him in the last few years (he refuses to prosecute and says he treats us equally haha) then I want to get all the rads changed and full flush out, but I doubt the £50k will happen

 

[Pondrew]

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], yep couldn't agree more, we spent £8k on a new system and our bedroom still doesn't get hot I seem to be forever adjusting the flows to each radiator so I can get ours warm in the morning and then I have to run the pressure up to 2.5 bar hot. There's definitely an air block somewhere

TBH it probably isn't an air lock, it's most likely the pump being undersized for the system. Circulating pumps are generally matched to the boiler requirements but most 'heating engineers' don't have the first clue about calculating what a specific system needs. I have exactly the same issue with mine; we have a choice of which rads get hot as long as it's not all of them at once. It's pretty much impossible to sort it without knocking the house down and starting again.

BTW I'm waiting for suggestions from a certain person as to getting your bedroom hot :lol:

 

[sars]

It's a Worcester 30 CDi System boiler so the pumps on the inside, when we get the extension built I may put another pump in somewhere to help out (making sure it's going the right way :lol: ).

Fortunately I have someone to snuggle up to to keep warm, the only problem is they complain because "I'm like a bl*&%y freezer"

 

[baljemmett]

My old new house, built circa 2008 had TRV's on the towel rail, anyone else have a new build with TRV's? Though they worked when the boiler was heating hot water as well as when the CH was on.

Exactly the same in my 2008 build; the towel rails are presumably before the diverter valve in the heating circuit, which must make the plumbing an utter mess. Nice to have warm towels even in summer, though!

Have noticed recently that some of my TRVs seem to have developed 'flat spots' at their usual settings and aren't turning on as needed. Need to figure out if they can be rejuvenated or if it's a bulk-replacement job; will put that on the list right after repairing the ceiling damage caused by a leaking toilet cistern last week. It never rains...

 

[john-e89]

[ref]Pondrew[/ref], yep couldn't agree more, we spent £8k on a new system and our bedroom still doesn't get hot I seem to be forever adjusting the flows to each radiator so I can get ours warm in the morning and then I have to run the pressure up to 2.5 bar hot. There's definitely an air block somewhere

TBH it probably isn't an air lock, it's most likely the pump being undersized for the system. Circulating pumps are generally matched to the boiler requirements but most 'heating engineers' don't have the first clue about calculating what a specific system needs. I have exactly the same issue with mine; we have a choice of which rads get hot as long as it's not all of them at once. It's pretty much impossible to sort it without knocking the house down and starting again.

BTW I'm waiting for suggestions from a certain person as to getting your bedroom hot :lol:

:idunno: