Just had new boiler fitted - Flow and Return swapped :(

[SkipFeeney]

Hi All,

I have just had a new boiler fitted today. The plumber has swapped over the Flow and Return which means all the TRV valves are now fitted on the return. Is this going to be an issue? Should i call him back to correct?


Thanks

 

[rjm2k]

Will depend on the trvs and also some rads need to be a certain way round, why did he do it?

 

[SkipFeeney]

I have no idea. Maybe its a mistake?

Half of the TRVs are these:
http://www.screwfix.com/p/15mm-angled-trv-chrome-white/60368

The other half are old Honeywell ones - probably 15 years old.

There has been no changes to the radiators - just a new boiler

 

[Terry lambert]

If all of your rads get hot, then they are all Bi directional and there shouldn't be a problem.

I take it, it was a combi for combi change

 

[Gasguru]

Look closely at the radiator valves...the main body part. Older valves have a single arrow head for the flow direction. They will not work if plumbed in backwards...as the TRV reaches temperature the valve will close down and often make a terrible noise...a bit like a hammer drill.

 

[SkipFeeney]

An open vented system was removed (think it was powered by a combi) and a combi put in place so quite a lot of pipework changes.

I have checked the old TRVs and they have two arrows. They also are all working and no hammering noise.

So it should be ok then? The only thing is, in my old house if the room was too hot for a particular time i used to turn the TRV down as a temporary measure. Can this still be done? In my mind the radiators will still have good flow of water getting to them, and turning the trv down will only stop the hotter water from going down the return??!

 

[D_Hailsham]

I have checked the old TRVs and they have two arrows. They also are all working and no hammering noise.

So it should be ok then?

Yes

The only thing is, in my old house if the room was too hot for a particular time i used to turn the TRV down as a temporary measure. Can this still be done?

Yes. Are you one of those who keeps the TRV on Max all the time and only turns it down when the room gets too hot?

In my mind the radiators will still have good flow of water getting to them, and turning the trv down will only stop the hotter water from going down the return??!

If you have bi-directional TRVs it doesn't matter which end the TRV is fitted. You used to have them on the flow; now they are on the return. They will still control the flow of water through the rad.

 

[Murf520970]

ye but balancing a system with the trvs on the return is going to be a pain

 

[Gasguru]

Why?

 

[Murf520970]

look at FAQ balancing a system

 

[rjm2k]

Surely closing a hole on one side has the same affect on the water as closing the hole on the other as far as balancing goes.

The FAQ doesn't mention anything specific re trvs on a specific side.

 

[picasso]

Cant see what difference what side the lockshield valve is on as regarding balancing of the system, your only restricting flow through the rad to balance the flow to the other rads.

 

[Gasguru]

As regards to balancing it makes no difference to which end the TRV is fitted. Manufacturers prefer a particular configuration purely for better temperature sensing.

 

[dcawkwell]

There shouldn't be any problem.

 

[Murf520970]

As regards to balancing it makes no difference to which end the TRV is fitted. Manufacturers prefer a particular configuration purely for better temperature sensing.

sorry gasguru didnt realise it was you who said why or i wouldnt of mentioned faq ,also i presumed faq would mention balancing to the op