The price of the thermostat radiator is not high in the market, but it’s a bit expensive if you want to buy it in a store. If you want to save money, we recommend that you go online and shop for it there.
We are the best place to buy a thermostat radiator. We have the best prices, and we offer the highest quality products. We are the only company that has a dedicated team of technicians who can make sure your new thermostat radiator is installed properly, so that you can have peace of mind knowing that your heating system is working properly.
We offer a wide range of radiator thermostats, including single-stage and dual-stage options. You can choose between mechanical or electronic models depending on your preferences, or even install both types in different parts of your home for added flexibility!
Thermostat radiator price
Thermostatic valves, which are thought of as a money-saving purchase, allow you to change the temperature of specific radiators around your home. What is the initial cost of installing TRVs in your radiators? Potential financial savings are a clear advantage.
German-made Tado is a smart thermostat that intelligently analyzes your location to decide when to reduce your heating while you’re away from home and then turn it back up when you go back.
Tado refers to this feature as “geofencing,” and it accomplishes this utilizing the GPS and other position indications from your smartphone, which you connect to the Tado Smart Thermostat. You connect every resident’s smartphone so that the heating knows to stay on and keep that person warm if only one family member stays at home while the others are away.
Tado turns the heat down when everyone is gone from the house so that it isn’t heating an empty one, but it is constantly watching for when someone or everyone comes home so that it can turn the heat back on.
With add-on smart radiator valves, Tado can manage individual radiators and optimize room-by-room heating. This is a more intelligent and affordable system than Google’s Nest.
People will need to make many more individual modifications to the way they heat their homes in order to complete the next stage of the UK’s decarbonization program; a smart thermostat system like Tado will be necessary.
Price and availability
Tado V3+ Smart Thermostat Starter Kits start from £199.99. A professional installation (costing around £80-100) is probably a wise investment for most home users, especially if you don’t already have a wired room thermostat.
Tado claims that 95% of its users self-install, but each home can be different and depends on how confident you are wiring a boiler. I’ll admit to calling in a professional when I couldn’t even remove the front of my new Vaillant boiler – although the engineer did agree that it was not as easy as it looked!
The Tado Online Instruction Assistant is excellent but if you are not both competent and confident when it comes to electrical wiring (terminating cables and so on) we’d recommend the professional installation.
How Tado works
Since you are aware of your typical evening bedtimes and wakeup times, which may vary on weekends, Tado enables you to schedule your heating requirements. When you bound (or crawl) out of bed in the morning, the system knows to warm the house up. Tado’s settings can be easily changed via the applications if you believe the heater comes on too soon. A single tap on the screen of the mobile app takes you to the settings.
A minimum Sleep temperature of 5°C can be set. If you enjoy it hot in your house, Tado might not be for you, but then then, you probably don’t worry too much about energy efficiency.
It takes some getting used to all of this intelligence. In the UK, we are accustomed to using timers to control when our boilers turn on and off. We are creatures of habit; we rise at the same times every day during the week and, for the most part, on weekends as well. We go to the boiler to raise the temperature if we start to get cold.
Tado’s smart thermostat performs all the thinking and turning on/off for you, so you can leave the heating on all the time (at first unsettling for energy-efficiency enthusiasts).
Actually, you don’t have to keep the heat on all the time. Pulling the temperature scale all the way to the bottom of the schedule allows you to set it to “Off,” which means it will periodically add a little heat to prevent pipes from freezing.
Thermostatic radiator valves problems
TRV issues can stem from a variety of issues, but as they are very straightforward devices, it is not too difficult to identify the issue. In order to make sure they last and work well, maintenance is advised.
The valve sticking or catching is the most typical issue with a TRV. This indicates that they are either closed or jammed open. When the scene hasn’t been altered for a while, like after the summer, this will occur.
Solution: To fully open the valve, put the TRV to the highest heat setting (often number 5). The thermostat removal nut should therefore be easy for you to remove by hand. You should be able to compress the small plunger or piston when the thermostat unit is removed, and it should spring back up when released. Give it a small spray of WD40 and give it a little work if it’s catching or is too stiff. The TRV should be checked yearly and given a WD40 spritz to maintain it operating effectively.
If you are unable to get the plunger to function once more, the valve has failed and needs to be entirely replaced. For guidance on how to alter a TRV, refer to the section below.
The thermostat malfunctioning is the second potential issue. If the plunger is freely moving and the valve is operating as it should, it is likely that the thermostat is not properly pressing and releasing the plunger to open and close the valve. The thermostat works by using a trapped gas, liquid, or wax bubble that expands and contracts in response to changes in room temperature to move the plunger.
Maintenance and Solution: If the thermostat stops operating, there is just one option left: replace it. Before you decide to purchase a replacement, it is worthwhile to make sure that this is the issue by replacing the thermostat with a functional TRV and ensuring that the valve now functions.
How to change radiator valves
The flow of water from your boiler through your radiator is managed by radiator valves. Hence, when they’re broken, they may affect the heating in that room as well as maybe the entire heating system.
This article will walk you through every step of changing a radiator valve if you’re unclear how to do it. Read on to find out if it’s damaged, defective, or needs to be replaced with a new thermostatic valve.
What are the two valves on a radiator for?
Radiator valves are used to control temperature, acting like taps to the water going into the radiator. Typically you’ll have two valves – one called a ‘control valve’ which is used to turn the radiator on and off by limiting the amount of water going into the radiator, and one called a ‘lockshield valve’ to balance your system by controlling the amount of heat the radiator gives off.
How to diagnose a damaged radiator valve
There are a few tell-tale signs that a radiator valve may need repairing or replacing:
- Jammed radiator valve
- Leaking radiator valve
- Your radiator isn’t heating up properly – it either has cold patches or it’s cold all over
- Twisting the lower valves has no effect on the amount of heat coming from your radiator
If your radiator isn’t heating up efficiently or it has cold patches then you should first check if it needs bleeding. Head over to our handy how-to guide on bleeding radiators and follow the steps, then check your radiator again. If all is OK, then a radiator valve replacement is not necessary.
How does a radiator valve work?
If you’ve followed the steps on how to bleed a radiator but it still hasn’t fixed the issue, and all your other radiators are working fine, it’s time to do some radiator valve repair.
How you troubleshoot this issue depends on which type of radiator valve you’ve got. There are three different types of radiator valves:
- Thermostatic radiator valve (TRV)
Most modern radiators have a TRV. It has a dial with settings that let you adjust the temperature from ‘*’ (off) to 1 (around 10°C) to 5 (about 23°C). - Manual valve
This is a more basic version of the modern TRV and is normally found on older heating systems. Its only settings are on/open and off/closed. - Lockshield valve
This valve is normally on the opposite side of the radiator to your TRV or manual valve. It’s got a smaller plastic cap on it, which you can remove and use a spanner to open or close the valve. You rarely need to use the lockshield valve.
What Are The Common Signs Of Radiator Valve Problems?
Now we know the different types of radiator valves, let’s jump into finding the common signs of radiator valve problems. Common issues may involve:
Leaky Valves
Radiator leaks can be found in numerous places on your radiator. However, your radiator valve can sometimes be the main culprit for this as you may have a faulty valve. This can happen if the internal mechanism of the valve is worn out and becomes less watertight, allowing water to leak.
In some cases you may have to replace the valve, however, your valves can still be fixed without draining your heating system.
Here are a few tips on how to fix each type of leak.
Leaky Radiator Connection
Leaky radiator connections can be fixed by replacing the radiator or the thread of the valve tail, depending on the situation. But, there are several actions you may take to attempt a fix (or at the very least a temporary fix) without exhausting your entire system.
You must first properly shut off your valves to isolate the radiator. You can open the bleed valve with a screwdriver or radiator bleed key to make sure they are turned off. Close the bleed valve after turning off the valves if the water doesn’t jet out.
You should loosen the union nut and begin unscrewing the radiator tail using an adjustable spanner. Only a couple of the threads should be exposed; otherwise, the radiator’s whole supply of water will begin to leak. Clean the tail thoroughly and take off any outdated PTFE tape.
The PTFE tape is then wrapped. Depending on where your radiator connection is located, you must wrap it in a particular direction. Around six times should be wrapped around the tail, pulling tightly each time.
After installing the valve tailback, tighten the union nut. As water starts to come out of the bleed valve, reset your valves to their initial positions and bleed the radiator.
We must now test to determine if the leak has been corrected! After drying the connection with a towel, give it some time to dry before wiping it down with a paper towel. If it’s dry, congratulations on fixing the leak! If it’s still wet, you can try again, or it might be time to replace the radiator and/or valve. But don’t worry, we have a huge selection of gorgeous radiators, towel rails, and valves here!
The procedures and equipment required to remedy a leak of this nature are summarized above. Check out this blog part for a comprehensive how-to (with pictures) and some crucial advice on what to do if you lose too much water from the system during the procedure.
Leaky Valve Connection/Union Nut Leak
The steps for this type of leak are very similar to a radiator connection leak. You’ll need PTFE tape, a spanner, towels, a bucket and Tupperware and a bleed key/screwdriver.
The main difference is that instead of unscrewing the valve tail from the radiator, you are slackening the union nut until the olive is exposed and wrapping the PTFE tape around here.
Click here for the step-by-step guide!
Leaky Valve Head
Check the warranty document before attempting to repair a valve head; if your valve is no longer covered by warranty, you may proceed with the repair. Nonetheless, it is better to get in touch with the supplier if it is still covered by warranty because they might replace it.
You’ll need the same tools as before, but you might also need to buy an isolator valve if you don’t already have one.
We have told you to shut off the valves before unscrewing and taping the other leaks. Turning off the valves, however, can make the leak worse if it originates from the valve head.
You can simply shut off the valve on the opposite side of the radiator if the leaky valve is on the return flow side.
Instead, if the leak is on the flow side, purchasing an isolator would be a better choice. For the brave, you might also try to fix it without completely closing the leaky valve.
The valve head must then be removed (often by unscrewing) and the hex must then be slightly tightened. We want a little extra tension, so don’t overtighten this part—it needs to be a little loose to function. Then, perform the same leak test as before.
Some methods to repair a valve head leak require disassembling the valve, which goes against the valve’s intended function, thus we don’t advise it. Below is a complete list of required tools and procedures.
A Stuck TRV Head
This is a common cause of hot water not flowing into the radiator when the TRV is set to any number or set above the frost protection or off position. The part of the valve that is stuck in the spindle is the part that opens and closes the valve to control the flow of water.
Luckily it’s pretty easy to fix without having to deal with any water ruining your carpets. But, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so best to grab some towels and a tub to catch any water. You’ll also need a wrench, pliers and some WD40.
First, make sure your heating is off, set the TRV dial to the max and then you can remove the valve head (by unscrewing it). Apply some WD40 to the spindle (or pin) and tap the side of the valve or use the pliers to wiggle the spindle until it’s no longer stuck – you should be able to push it in and out with ease. Then re-attached the valve head.
See, easy peasy! Now pop your heating back on and move the TRV dial to your desired setting. If after a while the radiator still isn’t heating up then you have two options, either try these steps again or it may be time to replace the valve.
The list of equipment and specific steps to follow is here.
Lockshield Valves and Balancing Radiators
Do you have radiators in your home that are colder than others despite the valves being set the same? The problem is most likely heat distribution or lack thereof. You need to balance your radiators and your trusty lockshield valves are going to help you do this.
We have a comprehensive guide on balancing radiators, but in short, you use the lockshield valves to push the flow of heat from one radiator to another instead of back to the boiler.
The majority of people are unaware of the function of lockshield valves and believe that they are an unattractive addition to a TRV valve. Perhaps they occasionally turn them like a manual valve or TRV in the hopes of increasing or decreasing the heat from the radiator, only to discover two of their five radiators are frigid and they have no hot water.o idea why.
So, you see, that insignificant valve that you may not have understood, is playing a very important part in keeping your whole heating system running efficiently. The moral of the story … don’t mess with the lockshield valve unless you know what you’re doing, or are following one of our how-to guides!
Turning TRV up but the Radiators Not Getting Warmer
While TRVs are like having mini thermostats in every room, they don’t control your boiler as the main thermostat does.
As an example, if your main boiler thermostat is set to 20 degrees and your TRV dial is set to 3 but the room feels cold. There is nothing to stop you from turning the TRV to 5, but the room probably won’t get any warmer.
But why? This is because the boiler will turn off when the room with the main thermostat reaches 20 degrees, not when every room in the home reaches 20 degrees.
So, we should consider TRVs as a means of preventing a room from rising above a particular temperature rather than as a means of increasing the heat in a space. If a spare room is infrequently used, the TRV dial may be set to 1 (about 12°C) or 2 (around 16°C) so that it receives some heat without consuming excessive energy.
Our recommendation is to set your TRVs in the used room to the temperature set on the main boiler thermostat, for example, 20°C. Increase the main boiler thermostat if you or your room is cold so that the boiler and radiators can work to heat the space to the desired temperature.
Of course, if your rooms aren’t heating up properly despite the TRVs being set correctly, you may have one of the following issues: a broken or stuck TRV, unbalanced radiators, radiators that are too small for the temperature at which the boiler is operating, or improperly set manual valves in the room with the main boiler thermostat.
We sincerely hope that our practical guidance has given you some inspiration for rejuvenating the appearance of your chrome radiator! If it’s time to replace your current valves, choose the ideal set from our extensive collection of superb radiator valves.
