Comments on: do i need radiator thermostatic valves fitted when my old boiler gets changed for a new condensing model?

By: Esteban Browne

Esteban Browne — Wed, 15 Aug 2007 10:38:26 +0000

yes you must fit them if system is being altered in any way. engineers are bound by the gas safety installation and use regulation september 31st 1998.

By: Presley Bird

Presley Bird — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 13:34:11 +0000

Sounds like a bit of confusion going on, thermostatic radiator valves have to be installed in sleeping areas, but CHeSS good practice guidelines say they should be fitted to every possible radiator, regulations say that to meet benchmark criteria, that boiler interlock should be provided, this is done by complete programming (of heating and hot water) and leaving the radiator in the same room as the room thermostat uncontrolled (no rad stat), the system also has to be cleaned to certain standards (again to meet benchmark requirements), though actually doing this is a grey area and far too many systems are not cleaned properly because they are just flushed through with water, I powerflush every system, the benchmark book also has to be completed, but many don’t test everything properly, they just copy the information from the data page in the installation manual.

By: Keshawn Stannard

Keshawn Stannard — Sun, 12 Aug 2007 15:07:16 +0000

You don’t have to have them them but they’re a good idea.

You will able to adjust the temperature in individual rooms so you’re not wasting heat where it’s not needed (such as empty rooms); or you can keep your bedroom a bit cooler than your living room.
That leaves the circulating hot water more able to heat the rooms where it is needed.

It all helps to reduce your gas consumption and to make your rooms more comfortable. They should be installed when the system is drained down so at boiler-replacement time is good.

By: Jewel Strachan

Jewel Strachan — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 15:16:09 +0000

Yes, each radiator should be thermostatically controlled to meet energy and efficiency regs. You should also have a room thermostat fitted so the boiler will be shut down when room temperature demand has been met (boiler interlock) the ONLY radiator which should NOT have a thermostat fitted is the one in the same room as the room ‘stat. This should have 2 lock-shield valves (LSRV’s) fitted so the radiator cannot be turned off; this radiator will stay on all the time the central heating is running.

By: Madilynn Fillingham

Madilynn Fillingham — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 11:42:44 +0000

It is a money spinner and I recommend that you stick to the old type of rad valve. Thermostatic valves cause a lot of problems on heating systems when the pins get worn or they are not fitted on the flow pipe by mistake. I get umpteen calls because people have problems with them . They are not necessary to comply with any regulations.

By: Bentley 7

Bentley 7 — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 23:01:58 +0000

Not absolutely necessary, but useful for energy efficiency.
I would go for it – it will save you money in time.
It is just easier to do this when the system is empty.
If you can get the system flushed at the same time this is a good idea.
Get quotes for the work.
The furthest radiator doesn’t need one – to maintain a circuit – if they were all off – the pump would give up!.