How do you turn off your radiator? This blog will provide all the answers as well as some top radiator tips.
Whether you are not using or changing a radiator, turning it off is an important, somewhat obvious step. What is not so obvious is how to go about doing it. There are several factors to know before you go about it, which we will cover in this blog, from isolating to the type of valve of TRV you have.
Why do I need to turn a radiator down or off?
There are several reasons why you may need to turn your radiator down or off. You may not wish to use a radiator in a specific room, or you are going away and won’t need it to be keeping your home warm.
It is recommended that you don’t fully turn off a radiator in a room. Even if you do not use it is best to instead set it to low. This ensures the radiator remains in good working order without using the energy to heat a room you want to cut out.
For more information, our blog, How do I turn my radiator(s) off? Will provide all the answers.
What is the difference between isolating a radiator and turning it off?
The most important thing to understand is that turning the radiator off will not cut the flow of water. If you want to isolate a radiator, you will need to cut the flow of water throughout the system entirely. The two following questions are often the most frequently asked questions when it comes to turning off or isolating a radiator.
How to turn off or lower the temperature of a radiator valve
Turning off or lowering the temperature of the radiator all depends on the type of radiator valve you have. Traditionally you should have one of three. These include a lockshield valve, manual valve, and thermostatic radiator valve. However, recent developments with smart home products have introduced a smart TRV, which is controlled using a smart device.
Lockshield Valve – to alter this type of valve, you first need to unscrew the cap with a screwdriver, remove the cap and then twist the visible metal valve with a pair of pliers. Remember to turn it clockwise to turn it down until you stop turning.
Manual Valve – A manual valve is typically a knob attached to the side of a radiator. For it to be turned off, you need to think of the old saying, righty tighty, lefty loosey. To turn it off, twist right until it is tight, and your radiator should now be turned off. Alternatively, twist left to determine the amount of heat you want your radiator to generate. The looser, the hotter it will get.
Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) – this type of control is the most common as installers for the past ten years have been replacing lockshield and manual valves with a TRV. A TRV is a device that is connected to either the top or to the side of a radiator but has one key difference. It has a number or sometimes letter indicators to show what setting the radiator is set to. 0 or a snowflake indicator will indicate that it is off 1 – 5 will indicate the amount of heat the radiator will generate, one being low and 5 being maximum heat. Altering these valves this much the same as a manual, you turn the device to the setting you wish it to be at.
Smart TRV – these types of TRVs are helping to bring technology to help operate the heating of your home. A smart TRV is operated via a smart device and can monitor a single radiator’s energy usage and temperature as well as remotely alter the radiator’s temperature. These are ideas for when you may unexpectedly need to turn off or lower your radiator’s temperature, even if you are away from home. Smart TRVs can be accessed anywhere at any time if you have an internet connection.
How would I isolate a radiator?
Isolating a radiator will all come down to the type of valve you have and how each individual valve is constructed. For the most part, the model’s instructions will come with the exact way how to isolate the valve. If you are like most people, you probably don’t have the instructions anymore, but it could easily be found online. If you are unsure of the type or model, then it again is worth contacting a plumber or engineer to do it for you.
How much does a smart TRV cost?
Depending on the brand of the thermostat, installing a smart thermostat might cost anywhere from £150 to £280. The daily cost charged by the builder, which can range from £150 to £250 per day depending on the employee, will also need to be considered. Please note that these costs are only estimates and will change based on the brand and model of the thermostat, the hourly rate of labour, and the degree of difficulty of the project.
Due to its numerous advantages, smart thermostats are being installed by many households. You can use your smartphone to manage your heating system if you install a smart thermostat. This is quite helpful since it enables you to manage your heating even while you’re not at home. You may now switch off the heating via your cell phone, saving you money on your energy bills, if you neglected to do so before leaving for the day.
The Nest Thermostat claims that adding a smart thermostat may help homes save between 10% and 12% on their energy bills. Installing a smart thermostat will not only reduce the cost of your energy bills, but it will also enable you to track your heating consumption using clever algorithms. This can help you realise how much heating you are using when it is unnecessary, which will enable you to save money.
Check out our smart home TRVs for further information. Also, our TP-Link range includes the most efficient TRV.
