Balancing with TRVs
- Thread starter george61
- Start date
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Close all your lockshield valves (valve opposite end to the TRV) on your rads
Then on the rad closest to the boiler, open the valve quarter turn
Then the 2nd closest rad to the boiler, open the valve half a turn
Then the 3rd closest rad to the boiler, open the valve 3 quarter turn
etc.......
You don't have to do it in quarter turns, if you have lots of rads then just open it slightly then the next rad slightly more, it all depends on how many rads you have.
But hopefully you get the general idea
Then on the rad closest to the boiler, open the valve quarter turn
Then the 2nd closest rad to the boiler, open the valve half a turn
Then the 3rd closest rad to the boiler, open the valve 3 quarter turn
etc.......
You don't have to do it in quarter turns, if you have lots of rads then just open it slightly then the next rad slightly more, it all depends on how many rads you have.
But hopefully you get the general idea
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Quarter turns should be fine
Open all TRVs to start, then adjust accordingly
Open all TRVs to start, then adjust accordingly
i'd be clipping thermometers to the flow and return to the rad i'm balancing and adjust the other lockshields down or up to achieve a 11c drop out of the two, spending many hours doing it.
The simple rule is set the all TRVs to max, run your heating and turn down a quarter the hottest rad or rads, and check after 15 mins or so, repeat as you go. Then put TRVs do desired setting. It can be a pain to do on older, problematic systems, have a go.
The simple rule is set the all TRVs to max, run your heating and turn down a quarter the hottest rad or rads, and check after 15 mins or so, repeat as you go. Then put TRVs do desired setting. It can be a pain to do on older, problematic systems, have a go.
I've balanced loads of systems like I explained, and never had trouble with lockshields leaking.
Can't say I've ever fitted one
As stated 13 rads on system,
brand new system with vaillant ecotech 831 boiler,
first plumber did first fix (all pipework from boiler postion to radaitor position, )did a runner,all floor boards laid,ceilings fitted,second plumber fitted boiler & rads, but finds after fitting rad valves 10 out of 13 rads have TRVs fitted to the retun side of the rads, all working except one rad which is the smallest rad in system,not the furthest away from boiler approx; middle of the system,
If valves were fitted to the correct side of rads then i understand that by resticting fow via the lockshield to gain a 12 deg; diff; would be an easy solution all be it time consuming.
By resticting the lockshied valve i,m restricting the flow into the rad, not out of the valve
brand new system with vaillant ecotech 831 boiler,
first plumber did first fix (all pipework from boiler postion to radaitor position, )did a runner,all floor boards laid,ceilings fitted,second plumber fitted boiler & rads, but finds after fitting rad valves 10 out of 13 rads have TRVs fitted to the retun side of the rads, all working except one rad which is the smallest rad in system,not the furthest away from boiler approx; middle of the system,
If valves were fitted to the correct side of rads then i understand that by resticting fow via the lockshield to gain a 12 deg; diff; would be an easy solution all be it time consuming.
By resticting the lockshied valve i,m restricting the flow into the rad, not out of the valve
I’ve always used guestimation previously but I’ve just regulated my totally refurbished system on TRV’s (it’s as good as new really) using 2 digital thermometers & was surprised how critical the lock shield setting was. Get yourself a couple of digital thermometers & do it properly as Gas2air describes.
As far as I know it makes no difference if the restriction is on the flow or return but I’m no expert!
As Richard said it makes no difference, if the restriction is on the flow then the hot water cannot pass the valve into the rad as quick, if the restriction is on the return, the cold water cannot get out the rad as quick for the hot water to enter the rad to replace it.
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