We’re all looking for ways to reduce our energy spend, and our heating bills are the biggest part of our outlay. If you’d like to save money and be more energy efficient, there are some simple changes you can make that have a big impact. One of those is using thermostatic radiator valves, or TRVs.
What is a TRV?
TRVs are a system of controlling heating in individual rooms, giving you precise control of which rooms get heated and when. Set them up correctly and you’ll create different heating zones throughout the house, helping you to heat your home more efficiently.
How Does a TRV Work?
A TRV is composed of a head and a body, with a capsule in the head responding to changes in temperature to regulate a pin in the body to either open or close. When the temperature rises, the pin will close, stopping the flow of hot water into the radiator. When the temperature drops, the capsule in the valve head contracts and pulls the pin out, allowing water to flow into the radiator.
Where Not to Use a TRV
Don’t install a TRV in the bathroom, as the heat created by a bath or shower will activate the TRV to shut off just when you need it to dry the condensation. Instead, make sure your bathroom radiators have their own independent control by buying from an online supplier like http://apolloradiators.co.uk/Category/43/header/57/bathroom-radiator-ranges, where you can compare heated towel rails and find one that fits your requirements.
Electronic TRVs
Heating control is becoming ever smarter, so you might consider integrating electronic TRVs in a smart heating system you can control from an app on your phone. Obviously, this is a more expensive option than standard TRVs that typically cost between £10-30, but the ability to precisely fine tune your heating and make some significant savings over the long term can be worth the initial cost.
Maintaining Your TRVs
TRVs can be an excellent addition to any heating system, especially where you have rooms that need less heating or you want to run a cost saving intelligent heating system. To get the best out of TRVs, you’ll need to keep them dust free and dismantle annually to ensure the mechanism is working freely.