Install the valve on the flow pipe: The
Locate the valve: Begin by finding the radiator valve, typically positioned on the side or bottom of the radiator. Examine the valve position: Observe the valve handle or wheelhead. If the thermostatic head is on position 5 it is open.
Should TRVs be installed on the flow or the return pipe when fitting a radiator? Most modern thermostatic radiator valves are bi-directional – so can be fitted on either the flow or return pipe of your radiator. However, it's always best practice to fit the TRV on the flow pipe that enters your radiator.
Radiators should be positioned under the window - placing opposite a window will result in colder air from the window being drawn across the room. If placing it under a window is not possible, the next bext place is on the wall that is at 90 degrees to the window.
Install the valve on the flow pipe: The radiator valve should be installed on the flow pipe, near the radiator. The valve should be installed in the upright position with the flow direction facing towards the radiator.
Typically, the common rule for ideal radiator temperature is to have each room between 18°C (64F) and 21°C (70F). These central heating settings should be comfortable for most, but adjustments to suit your preferences can be made easily with the Wiser system.
You need to remember that the position of a radiator affects its efficiency. The best place for a radiator is in the coldest part of the room. This used to be under windows. However, in more modern double-glazed homes, there may not be a cold area, so you can put radiators where they won't affect the use of walls.
For standard type 22 radiators (not "designer" ones) it doesn't matter which end is flow and which is return. 2. Provided bi-directional thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs) are to be fitted, it doesn't matter whether they go on flow or return.
Many thermostatic radiator valves nowadays are bidirectional, and you can install them to either the flow or the return pipe of your radiator. However, we would advise you to fit the TRV on the pipe that carries water to your inlet valve – the flow pipe. Wonder why?
The return temperature for combis is typically 20°C lower than the flow, and most boilers now feature a sensor on the flow pipe within the boiler to monitor this and ensure it heats up as required. If the pipes are reversed, the sensor will record the lower temperature and could compensate to make up the difference.
If your brand new radiator isn't heating up well or at all, then it's possible that the system wasn't rebalanced after installation. If you turn all of your radiators off and the new radiator still fails to heat up, then re-balance the system.
Most radiators have two valves, one that lets the water into the radiator, and one that allows the water to be removed from the radiator. Familiarise yourself with both valves and their operation. Both valves should be turned fully open (anti-clockwise) so that the water can flow freely through the radiator.
The flow of a radiator is typically on the left as you look at it stood up or attached to the wall.
A valve is open when it allows flow, usually with the handle parallel to the pipe. It is closed when it blocks flow, often with the handle perpendicular to the pipe.
You may have heard of bi-directional TRVs, which means that functionally as far as the TRV is concerned, it doesn't matter which side of the radiator it goes on as the water can flow both ways through the valve, however, if you want a proper and correct installation that works and does not let you down, TRV on the flow ...
Most(all) cheap valves are bi-directional as you would usually fit 2 on a bypass radiator. So 1 would be on the flow and 1 on the return.
The easiest way to do this is to look at the direction of the valve. If the valve is pointing towards the radiator, then it is the inlet valve. This means that hot water is entering the radiator through this valve. On the other hand, if the valve is pointing away from the radiator, then it is the outlet valve.
For even heating and the right comfort levels, most radiators are best placed in the coldest part of the room, traditionally found under a window or against an outside wall, where the cold air drops to the floor helping create convection inside the room i.e., pushing the warm air from the radiator into the room.
Ideally you want airflow to be front-to-back, bottom-to-top. There are a couple exceptions: 1. You still want to maintain positive pressure so it doesn't get too dusty inside.
Faucets and valves are almost always “righty titey, lefty loosey.” Left will open the valve and make the radiator warmer. That is if it is a water or steam radiator.
The best approach to correctly setting the valves is to initially turn all the TRVs in the room to a moderate setting (such as 3) and wait for the heating to raise the temperature of the room. If the room is too warm or not warm enough, the setting on the valve can be lowered or raised accordingly.
This depends almost entirely on the layout of your room. However, an approximate conversion can be made. For example, if your thermostatic valve is set to number 3, it usually means that the temperature is between 19-to-20 degree celsius which is the recommended setting for the kitchen and dining areas of your home.