Which Radiator Valves Do I Need?
Unfortunately, radiator valves do not fall into a one-size-fits-all category. The design, shape and size of any radiator valve may render it useless to you, and so it is important to define which radiator valve type is right for your home radiator or heated towel rail. The design of your radiator is a key factor, and finding a valve that seamlessly marries inlet and outlet is the goal.
Angled Radiator Valves
These are required if the pipes are required to turn at an angle, usually 90 degrees, to enter the radiator. Bathroom radiators often have a bottom radiator valve inlet, as most towel rail pipework comes up from the floor.
Angled radiator valves are one of the most common radiator valve types used in modern home heating and come in a range of styles to match traditional and progressive radiator designs. They connect your radiator to your home heating via an angular body and prove popular because they provide a neat and minimalist finish.
Straight Radiator Valves
These are used if the pipes run along the wall or floor with a straight body, leading from the inlet to the radiator. Straight valves have no bends or curves and connect the pipework either horizontally or vertically, so if the radiator connection to the valve and pipe follows a straight line, you'll require a straight valve.
If you're working with bottom inlets then you will most likely require straight radiator valves, aptly named for carrying water in a straight line from pipework to radiator body.
Corner Radiator Valves
Where radiator pipes are coming out of the wall, a corner radiator valve is the perfect option. Where an angled radiator valve would work perfectly, a corner valve does the same yet with a touch more finesse and can be less bulky than an angled valve.
Corner valves are often a more decorative choice, as angled valves can protrude from your radiator, making it awkward to adjust. Corner valves are used if your pipes are coming out from the wall or floor at a 90 degree angle to your radiator. Here, the valve is located on the inside of the angled body rather than the outer side.
Manual vs. Thermostatic Radiator Valves
Now let’s cover the important distinction between manual radiator valves and thermostatic radiator valves.
Manual Radiator Valves
As the name suggests, manual radiator valves are operated manually. Turn the dial and set it to the heat that you wish your radiator to reach. Manual valves are easy to use and easy to maintain but it is also easy to forget that you left them on. However, do not let this put you off – just keep an eye on your manual radiator valves and your heating bills. Check out our whole range of manual valves.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)
As you can guess, thermostatic radiator valves employ a built-in thermostat to measure the temperature of their surroundings and adjust the heat output of your radiator accordingly. TRVs are wonderfully flexible, great for ensuring rooms do not get too hot as well as for managing the heat of individual rooms. They adapt to fluctuations in temperature, ensure that energy consumption is minimised, and help you save on bills.
Lockshield Radiator Valves
Lockshiled radiator valves come in very valve shape as you would expect, yet feature a valve that comes covered by a cap to help modulate the level of water that is able to flow from the radiator back into your pipework. By enabling control over this, a lockshield radiator valve brings you new levels of managing your home water system distribution.
By balancing your lockshields you can set radiators of different sizes to heat up at the same rate, resulting in drastically improved heating efficiency and subsequently reduced heating bills.
If you require any advice on any of the radiator valves that you come across, such as whether they will fit your radiators and pipework, or technical specifications, please do not hesitate to reach out to our support team. In the meantime, check out our extensive range of radiator valves to find the perfect option for your home heating.
