Radiator valve

[Jim]

Just moved into a property and one of the radiators has valve tops on each side which can be turned with the existing caps. How do I tell which is the one for regulating the specific radiator please ? Is it the one on the side where the pipe gets hot first ?
Jim

 

[simond]

It doesn't matter. Whichever is easiest.

 

[Jim]

Thanks for that. I had thought that one was for "balancing" the system but I have obviously got that wrong.
Jim

 

[AlanE]

It is but if radiator has no thermostatic valve then yes one is used for balancing which effectivly coltrols the MAXIMUM water flow through a particular radiator so that all others work correctly. This one should then preferably be left alone.

The other valve then becomes the 'user' or 'customer' valve that can control rad from its maximum output (set by the other valve) down to minimum to off totally.

Follows therefore choose the most difficult valve to access for balancing.

 

[Jim]

Many thanks. Managed to sort it out from the advice given.
Jim