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What do the numbers on a thermostatic radiator valve mean?
In our range of radiator valves, one of the various types we stock are Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs). These are a very simple way to give you full and individual temperature control over all radiators that you have TRVs installed on.
The main benefit of them are that they will save you money on your heating bills, if used correctly.
There are numbers on the thermostatic valve and many people make the mistake of thinking that they refer to the temperature of the radiator.
This is incorrect.
Room temperature not rad temperature
As radiator expert Nicholas Auckland recently said in this article in The Sun, "it's important to note that the numbers on the thermostatic valve do not indicate the radiator temperature. These numbers actually refer to the temperature in the room, not the radiator. This is a really common misconception, and the majority of people automatically assume that the numbers relate to the radiator, so don't worry if you weren't aware of this before - you're certainly not the first and I'm happy to set the record straight."
The very point of a thermostatic radiator valve is that it can detect the temperature in the room and will let more or less hot water into the radiator accordingly.
If the room is cold, the the TRV will allow more hot water into the room to heat it up. As the room gets warmer, the TRV will restrict the amount of hot water coming into the radiator to maintain the temperature. If the room temperature starts to drop, the TRV will allow more hot water in...and so on.
Numbers & temperatures
The numbers on the valve roughly correlate to the room temperatures below. When the room drops below these temperatures, the TRV will allow hot water to flow into the radiator. It's worth familiarising yourself with the numbers and the temperatures they relate to so that you have maximium control over the temperature in each room in your home.
- 0 = Off
- * = 7°C
- 1 = 10°C
- 2 = 15°C
- 3 = 20°C
- 4 = 25°C
- 5 = 30°C
A fully functional TRV will detect the temperature of the room and automatically adjust the amount of hot water in the radiator accordingly.
During the winter, you should really set your TRV to 2 or 3 and leave it. If you go into a room that's cold and the radiator is burning hot, leave it alone and don't turn it up to 5. Let it do it's job and allow the TRV to heat the room accordingly.
(If you're away for a long time in winter, set your TRVs to * so that the rads will come on for a short while if the temp gets below 7°C)
Use TRVs properly to save money
If you turn a TRV up to 5, basically you are telling it not to stop letting hot water into the radiator until the room reaches a very very high temperature (around 30°C). If the temperature drops below 30 degrees, water will be hot allowed into the radiator.
This is unnecessary as you rarely need the room to be that hot and it also means you lose any savings you may have otherwise made on heating bills because the hot water will be constantly flowing.
The best way to use thermostatic radiator valves is to decide on a comfortable room temperature and set the number on the TRV accordingly.
Regularly changing the settings on a TRV is not recommended and will undermine their money saving qualities, which is one of the main benefits of installing them in the first place.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves at Trade Radiators
Our huge range of high quality thermostatic radiator valves has made keeping your home warm and toasty yet energy efficient that much easier. A lot of people are switching over from traditional manual radiator valves to gain extra control over their heating and help keep their energy bills low.
We have a range of styles and finishes available, allowing you to pick the exact TRV you need to fit your radiator and look great in the space. All valves are easy to turn and have simple and clear numbering systems so you can get the exact setting you want! You can also look at our full range to see all types and styles available.
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Nordic Ivy, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £109.68 Regular Price £148.07 -
Nordic Ivy, Thermostatic Valves, White Corner - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £146.28 Regular Price £197.50 -
Nordic Cylinder, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £152.70 Regular Price £206.15 -
West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £27.68 Regular Price £47.86 - West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - 10mmSpecial Price £30.94 Regular Price £69.06
- West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - 8mmSpecial Price £30.94 Regular Price £69.06
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West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Corner - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £28.26 Regular Price £48.80 - West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Corner - 10mmSpecial Price £31.52 Regular Price £70.01
- West Delta, Thermostatic Valves, White Corner - 8mmSpecial Price £31.52 Regular Price £70.01
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West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Angled - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £27.49 Regular Price £40.84 -
West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Corner - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £28.99 Regular Price £43.58 -
West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Straight - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £27.49 Regular Price £40.84 - West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Angled - 10mmSpecial Price £30.74 Regular Price £62.04
- West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Angled - 8mmSpecial Price £30.74 Regular Price £62.04
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West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Corner - 10mmSpecial Price £32.24 Regular Price £64.78 -
West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Corner - 8mmSpecial Price £32.24 Regular Price £64.78 - West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Straight - 10mmSpecial Price £30.74 Regular Price £62.04
- West Realm, Thermostatic Valves, White/Chrome Straight - 8mmSpecial Price £30.74 Regular Price £62.04
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Trade Direct Modern, Thermostatic Valves, White Angled - Standard 15mmSpecial Price £26.44 Regular Price £27.83
