Questions? +32 460 226 991 (English), +33 644 634 490 (French). EU-wide delivery!
Questions? +32 460 226 991 (English), +33 644 634 490 (French). EU-wide delivery!
Most searched for brands of measuring and regulation technology
Although thermostatic radiator valves are relatively simple devices with easy operation, they are often used incorrectly in practice. The result is not only poorer thermal comfort but also higher heating costs and often the need to replace components.
Thermostatic valves continuously measure the room temperature and regulate the flow of heating water based on the temperature you set. This means they provide automatic heating regulation, which also takes into account temperature changes, for example, due to sunlight or cooking.
It is not true that the higher the setting, the more heating water flows into the radiator and vice versa – the amount of heating water is also influenced by the surrounding temperature. So if you have the valve set to, for example, 21 °C, but the midday sun heats your interior to this temperature, the radiators will automatically turn off. Thanks to this, thermostatic valves reduce your heating costs.
Digital valves are set on a display or in a mobile app, where you choose the exact desired temperature. Manual valves are set by turning, where you select the level on the numerical scale. Each manufacturer has different temperature ranges for individual levels, but thermostatic valves are usually set as follows:
Set the temperature for each time of day and in each room separately to avoid overheating unnecessarily. In the case of digital programmable valves for heating, you can set the temperatures in advance. For living rooms, a suitable temperature is 21 °C, which corresponds to level 3 on the thermostatic valve. At night and when you are away from home, 18 °C (level 2) is sufficient. In the kitchen and hallways, you can maintain a lower constant temperature.
Never turn off the heating completely, as the interior would cool down unnecessarily, and reheating it would be time-consuming and costly. The only exception is a longer absence of at least a few days, when you can set the valves to the snowflake symbol, which means frost protection.
The temperature on a manual thermostatic valve is set using a numerical scale
To make the most of the advantages of thermostatic valves, you must use and set them correctly. What misconceptions and mistakes do we most commonly encounter in practice?
Thermostatic valves are either manual or digital. It is entirely up to you which type you prefer. You can also find a helper for choosing valves in the advice section. Manual thermostatic valves for heating are cheaper and do not require power, but on the other hand, they do not provide as precise regulation or the ability to program heating modes or remote control. Digital heating valves are more precise, economical, and offer higher user comfort even for demanding customers.
However, you must ensure compatibility with the thermostatic valves on your radiators. Although most threads are standardized, this is not always the case. If you choose a thermostatic valve with a different thread than your radiator, you will need to purchase a suitable adapter.
Thermostatic valves maintain a constant set temperature. So if you set, for example, 22 °C (or the corresponding level on the numerical scale), the valve will allow heating water into the radiator only until this temperature is reached. Then the valve will close until the temperature drops again.
It is a mistake to turn the valve to maximum in a cold room – this will only increase costs, not the speed of heating. Similarly, do not turn off the heating when you have a comfortable or higher temperature at home. Always set exactly the temperature you currently require.
For thermostatic valves to maintain a constant set temperature, they must measure the room temperature. In the case of mechanical valves, this is done using a liquid that expands or contracts according to the temperature, while digital thermostatic valves contain a temperature sensor.
If you cover the valve with a curtain, laundry, or any other object, the temperature measurement is disrupted, and regulation does not occur correctly. If your spatial options do not allow you to leave space around the valve, the solution may be to purchase an external sensor, which you can place anywhere in the room.
Thermostatic valve with a separate temperature sensor
In winter, you should ventilate briefly, i.e., open windows wide several times a day for a few minutes. This effectively replaces the air in the room with fresh air without cooling the walls or floor.
Before ventilating, it is also necessary to turn off the radiators – otherwise, the temperature sensors would unnecessarily increase the heating output. After closing the windows, once the temperature rises again, you can reopen the radiators to the desired level. Some smart digital thermostatic valves have a window open detection function, which automatically ensures that the radiator output does not increase when the temperature drops suddenly.
Many people close thermostatic valves on radiators after the heating season for fear that the heating will start unexpectedly. However, this is a mistake. If the valve is closed, during the summer the valve can seize in the closed position, and at the start of the next heating season, the radiators will not heat.
The solution is simple – after the heating season, simply open the valves to the maximum. Ideally, turn the valve a few times during the summer to "exercise" the valve. If you forgot and the valve seized, you can try to manually move it. Often, however, replacement is necessary.
Need help with choosing ? Do not hesitate to contact us.
Bola.cz
