Radiator Valves Explained

Having new radiators installed is a beneficial way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. However, the performance of your new radiators is specifically dependent on the type of radiator valves you choose to have. This guide will explain exactly what a radiator valve does, along with the various types available.

Every radiator in your home has two radiator valves, which allow you to control how much heat they give out. One of the valves controls how much water is entering the radiator, while the other one balances the system by controlling how much heat the radiator emits.

As the list of potential radiator valves seems endless, deciding which option to go for can be a challenge. There are a variety of radiator valves available, with each type best suited to a different scenario.

Straight radiator valves connect your radiator to a pipe without a bend. They are best used when your pipework and radiator are aligned, meaning you just need a valve to control the flow of water. Straight valves are a type of control valve that feature linear flow paths. These valves provide both on-off and throttling services for controlling or regulating the flow of fluids through a system.

Angled valves connect the radiator with the pipework at an angle, usually 90 degrees. Therefore, these valves are commonly used when the pipework comes out of the wall or from below the floorboards and will need an angle to be able to fit into the radiator’s inlet connection.

H-block valves are shaped like the letter H because they come with a double connection. This allows them to join the pipes and valve inlets on middle connection radiators.

Manual valves are the easiest to use and most basic type of valves. In fact, they work like an ordinary tap, whereby, you turn the valve in one direction to turn the heating up and turn it in the opposite direction to turn it down or off. As these valves are operated manually, their main drawback is that they are not always energy efficient.

Otherwise known as TRVs, Thermostatic radiator valves work by, gradually increasing their temperature towards a specified setting. When the desired temperature is reached, the valves automatically stop the flow of water into the radiator, helping to maintain the overall temperature.

When compared to manual valves, the sophisticated nature of thermostatic radiator valves makes them much more efficient.

Although radiator valves have been in operation for many years, new, innovative technology has led to the creation of smart radiator valves. These valves are used in smart heating systems, allowing homeowners to control the temperature of their home remotely, through their smartphone or tablet.

This gives homeowners the opportunity to become increasingly efficient, as smart heating systems allow you to micro-manage the temperature around the home, down to each individual room.

On radiators, lockshield valves are generally covered with a plastic cap. By limiting the water that is allowed to flow through the central heating system, their job is to ensure all the radiators are balanced and heating up at the same rate.