Hi. Can someone tell me what type/fitting of radiator valve cover I need to put on top of the valve as shown in the picture so they can be opened/closed.
Radiator valve covers/knobs
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That's a TRV valve so usually it would usually be something like this
Unfortunately though if you don't know that make of valve you can't just buy any old TRV head as not all are made equal and it may or may not work.
Only thing really to turn that valve off for sure, is a decorator cap, something like this
Unfortunately though if you don't know that make of valve you can't just buy any old TRV head as not all are made equal and it may or may not work.
Only thing really to turn that valve off for sure, is a decorator cap, something like this
Other valves in the home may give a clue as to TRV brand used in the home?
Remove one from another radiator to check it seems the same and fits, then buy a new head... Although head and valve body can be cheaper in some cases and discard the valve.
Smart TRVs sometimes have a selection of adapters to fit the most common valves is another way of doing it.
Remove one from another radiator to check it seems the same and fits, then buy a new head... Although head and valve body can be cheaper in some cases and discard the valve.
Smart TRVs sometimes have a selection of adapters to fit the most common valves is another way of doing it.
I once had to replace some Drayton TRVs, the whole unit was cheaper than the head... bonkers...
There have been times when I had to use my nicotine gum to stick a couple of 10 pence pieces into the underside of the cap because the cap wouldn't wind down enough to push the pin home.
That said, I also use my gum to hold screws to the screwdriver head when having to use a long non magnetic screwdriver in a recess.
One of the few advantages of being addicted to nicotine gum.
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I have fitted now 10 electronic heads in my house, all came with options to use with a range of valves, when I started the eQ-3 TRV head 
was just £15 so as cheap fitting an electronic version to a mechanical version, price went up after Brexit, so when one was smashed by the carpet fitters, I replaced with Kasa, this needs a hub, and batteries only just last the year, the Energenie also needed a hub, batteries last around two years, and the Wiser again needs a hub, but it will turn the boiler on, I have a picture of the Terrier i30 which is stand alone 
but it shows the kit of parts which come with it.
The mechanical version has around 2ºC to 3ºC between fully open and fully closed, so they do not show degrees C, as it will vary slightly room to room, they tend to have *123456, and you have to work out in that room what will give you the temperature you want, and you have to work out if the lock shield valve or the TRV needs adjusting.
The electronic type, often have both target and current
this from the Energenie one, if the current exceeds the target the lock shield need closing a bit, so easier to set up the room. (the eQ-3 only shows target) As to the Wiser, not sure about the TRV head firing the boiler, as the one radiator where we have fitted it, the radiator is against an outside wall, so until the heating is running, and thermals are circulating the air, it shows under the real room temperature, and can fire boiler when not required. At the moment, living room wall thermostat shows 22ºC, and bedroom TRV shows 17.5ºC so have set it far too low, until the time when we need the heating on. The non-linked TRV heads it does not matter if they open as cooled by the wall, as boiler not running so will not heat the room.
Don't like the Energenie as can't manually control it, has to be set with PC or Phone, the others will not work with PC, only phone or tablet, unless running an emulator. But I hate to think what my heating would cost without them, as rooms only heated when required to temperature required, no heating bedrooms during the day, or living room when we are in bed.
was just £15 so as cheap fitting an electronic version to a mechanical version, price went up after Brexit, so when one was smashed by the carpet fitters, I replaced with Kasa, this needs a hub, and batteries only just last the year, the Energenie also needed a hub, batteries last around two years, and the Wiser again needs a hub, but it will turn the boiler on, I have a picture of the Terrier i30 which is stand alone but it shows the kit of parts which come with it.The mechanical version has around 2ºC to 3ºC between fully open and fully closed, so they do not show degrees C, as it will vary slightly room to room, they tend to have *123456, and you have to work out in that room what will give you the temperature you want, and you have to work out if the lock shield valve or the TRV needs adjusting.
The electronic type, often have both target and current
this from the Energenie one, if the current exceeds the target the lock shield need closing a bit, so easier to set up the room. (the eQ-3 only shows target) As to the Wiser, not sure about the TRV head firing the boiler, as the one radiator where we have fitted it, the radiator is against an outside wall, so until the heating is running, and thermals are circulating the air, it shows under the real room temperature, and can fire boiler when not required. At the moment, living room wall thermostat shows 22ºC, and bedroom TRV shows 17.5ºC so have set it far too low, until the time when we need the heating on. The non-linked TRV heads it does not matter if they open as cooled by the wall, as boiler not running so will not heat the room.Don't like the Energenie as can't manually control it, has to be set with PC or Phone, the others will not work with PC, only phone or tablet, unless running an emulator. But I hate to think what my heating would cost without them, as rooms only heated when required to temperature required, no heating bedrooms during the day, or living room when we are in bed.
Can those be left on permanently? - All I really need to do is to be able to turn the radiators on and off.
Yes, but not guaranteed to work as old valves can stick on or off .
As suggested they can yes, just make sure the pin can move up and down first. Should only move a few mm.
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As said, mechanical heads can allow the TRV to stick, the electronic heads normally have an exercise function built in, so they will not stick.
The main idea of the old TRV was so when there is alternative heating, rooms will not overheat. I had them in bedrooms only in the last house, to alleviate the problem of doors being left open or closed, if left open heat from downstairs made the rooms too hot, with radiator on as well.
In mother's house, the TRV turned off the radiator when the sun through the bay window heated the room.
Be it cooking, sun, doors open or closed, or an open fire, many homes simply adjusting the flow in each radiator a fixed amount rarely works, never lived in a house with all under floor heating, that may work as water not that hot, but this house I do rely on the TRV heads to heat rooms as and when required, to just warm enough, which reduces my oil bill.
In homes with gas, the modern modulating boiler relies on the TRV to be able to gradually modulate and gain the latent heat from the flue gases. Using on/off controls can work out expensive.
The main idea of the old TRV was so when there is alternative heating, rooms will not overheat. I had them in bedrooms only in the last house, to alleviate the problem of doors being left open or closed, if left open heat from downstairs made the rooms too hot, with radiator on as well.
In mother's house, the TRV turned off the radiator when the sun through the bay window heated the room.
Be it cooking, sun, doors open or closed, or an open fire, many homes simply adjusting the flow in each radiator a fixed amount rarely works, never lived in a house with all under floor heating, that may work as water not that hot, but this house I do rely on the TRV heads to heat rooms as and when required, to just warm enough, which reduces my oil bill.
In homes with gas, the modern modulating boiler relies on the TRV to be able to gradually modulate and gain the latent heat from the flue gases. Using on/off controls can work out expensive.
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