Replacing TRVs, should I replace rads?

robodelfy · 1 Oct 2020

I'm planning to replace all my old and broken TRVs, 5 in total.

I then wondered if I should be replacing my radiators? See the photo, these must be 20 years old I imagine, are there more efficient ones these days?

If so, any reccomendations?

Advice would be great thanks

ianmcd · 1 Oct 2020

yes I would replace them , have a look at Toolstation they have some great prices on rads these days, a lot less expensive than you would imagine, Mr Central heating another good place for rads

robodelfy · 1 Oct 2020

ianmcd said:
yes I would replace them , have a look at Toolstation they have some great prices on rads these days, a lot less expensive than you would imagine, Mr Central heating another good place for rads

Thanks, is there a particular type I should go for?

ianmcd · 1 Oct 2020

robodelfy said:
Thanks, is there a particular type I should go for?

To be honest they are all pretty much the same, some will claim massive warranties but they never honour them , they will say your system water was dirty, at the end of the day if you get 15 years from a £30 rad is it worth arguing with them , there are companies that still live on long term reputaion , but they are all the same these days to be honest

ianmcd · 1 Oct 2020

look at Toolstation they are doing a deal where the rad comes with a free TRV and lockshield

Lower · 1 Oct 2020

Yes, they're starting to rust.

fixitflav · 1 Oct 2020

robodelfy said:
I'm planning to replace all my old and broken TRVs, 5 in total.

I then wondered if I should be replacing my radiators? See the photo, these must be 20 years old I imagine, are there more efficient ones these days?

If so, any recomendations?

Advice would be great thanks
View attachment 206484

What do you mean by more efficient? If the old rad is partly gunged up the new one might give more heat output for a given water temperature, and possibly keep the room warmer if the old rad is struggling, but the only way it might save any gas is by enabling lower temperature hence more condensation (if it's a condensing boiler).

robodelfy · 12 Oct 2020

ianmcd said:
To be honest they are all pretty much the same, some will claim massive warranties but they never honour them , they will say your system water was dirty, at the end of the day if you get 15 years from a £30 rad is it worth arguing with them , there are companies that still live on long term reputaion , but they are all the same these days to be honest

OK thanks, I thought the cheap ones might be crap. They look like a different design to my very old ones, maybe this is standard now? The sort of box design. I dont think it looks as nice though

My plumber recommended just getting the cheapest ones from Screwfix. He said £100 for him to install each one, is that a fair price?

robodelfy · 12 Oct 2020

fixitflav said:
What do you mean by more efficient? If the old rad is partly gunged up the new one might give more heat output for a given water temperature, and possibly keep the room warmer if the old rad is struggling, but the only way it might save any gas is by enabling lower temperature hence more condensation (if it's a condensing boiler).

Well I just read that radiators have become more efficient in the last 20 years, but I wasn't sure how. I can't imagine how exactly they would be more efficient!

ianmcd · 12 Oct 2020

Problem with old radiators is that people keep painting them which is not a good idea

Mottie · 12 Oct 2020

robodelfy said:
crap. They look like a different design to my very old ones, maybe this is standard now? The sort of box design.

I can’t tell if yours is a finned radiator but if not, a finned one will pump out more heat. Also, the box design I think you are referring to is basically the same under the 'box' as the one you have. The top and sides of the 'box' are fitted once the radiator is mounted on the wall, if you want. If not, leave them off and they will look the same as the one you have.

robodelfy said:
My plumber recommended just getting the cheapest ones from Screwfix. He said £100 for him to install each one, is that a fair price?

Maybe if he was coming round to fit just one rad as he may have to drain and refill the system. Another. £400 to fit 4 more rads while he is there’s and while the system is drained down is taking the **** in my opinion.

winston1 · 12 Oct 2020

robodelfy said:
Well I just read that radiators have become more efficient in the last 20 years, but I wasn't sure how. I can't imagine how exactly they would be more efficient!

They wouldn't be. They may give out more heat for a given size which means you can use a smaller one. But the amount of gas used to produce that heat would not change.

fixitflav · 13 Oct 2020

winston1 said:
They wouldn't be. They may give out more heat for a given size which means you can use a smaller one. But the amount of gas used to produce that heat would not change.

I suppose it's reasonable for rad makers to claim higher efficiency if it gives more kW/m2, (for given water flow and temp).
As you say, efficiency as heat out/heat in doesn't apply to a rad.

JohnD · 13 Oct 2020

Then the word "efficiency" is incorrect.

fixitflav · 13 Oct 2020

JohnD said:
Then the word "efficiency" is incorrect.

Maybe, but depends how you define it. It's often used in a general way when no measurement is possible. Eg "the NHS is an efficient operation".

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Replacing TRVs, should I replace rads?

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