TRV recommendations...

[borderfox100]

I've been told that not all TRV's are worth installing. Can anyone point out which ones they find the best. Links appreciated.

 

[croydoncorgi]

They mostly work like they say on the box. The only real issue is whether they're bi-directional. If not, they've got to be on the Flow end of the rad. There are cheap ones and also more expensive ones, that look nicer and may last longer. What do you actually want to know?

 

[borderfox100]

What do you actually want to know?

Only for someone telling me that some of the cheaper ones are crap, I would have bought the first inexpensive set of TRVs that I saw. I just want to make sure I dont buy the ones that dont last/do what theyre supposed to do.

 

[croydoncorgi]

I use quite a lot of Yorkshire Mistral bi-di TRV kits (you get a matching lockshield in the box too). Never had a failure yet and reasonable price. Fancy features such as remote sensors are also avalable for the same valve base (at a price!). But remember NOT to put a TRV where it will not be at 'room' temperature (eg. inside a rad cover!, behind a curtain, etc.)

 

[scatmanjohn]

My personal favorite:

 

[Agile]

My view is that only the liquid filled ones are worth fitting.

As far as I know all the liquid ones are bidirectional.

The Drayton TRV4 are the ones I find are best looking and since they were redesigned are very reliable.

The least reliable in my experience are the Wickes which usually stick within a very few years.

Generally you get what you pay for!

Tony

 

[mark.carline]

The Drayton TRV4 are the ones I find are best looking and since they were redesigned are very reliable.

Yep the Draytons get my vote. You get what you pay for and also you can get spare parts for the Draytons.

There are three types, white / silver and gold.

 

[Agile]

Getting spare parts is not necessarily the advantage one would expect.

I once ordered some spare bodies throught the local specialist merchant but the price charged was only £1 less than the price complete with sensor head.

Luckily the TRV4s rarely need any spare parts.

Tony

 

[borderfox100]

Cheers Lads. Drayton TRV4's it is then.

 

[ingram]

Just before you do that, and to keep this thread running a bit longer ;
I had Drayton TRVs for years: they were TRV2; I had sensor heads fail, valves jam, seals split.
I replaced a couple with TRV4s some years ago and they have been fine.
However they now cost around 20 squid each so when I decided to replace all the old TRV2s a few weeks ago, I eventually decided on Danfoss RAS-C2. which I bought from Screwfix. I bought the ones that come in sets, with a matching lockshield and paid about < 10 quid each. They are not as smart as the Draytons; larger heads in white plastic, but imho they are quite smart; certainly a lot nicer than others I've seen and a better quality 'feel'. They have a simple 'selector' for flow direction.
They are not chrome, but nickel plated ( I think ). The lockshields have a hexagonal cap which is removed to access the 'Alen' screw adjuster inside, so no ugly ( or otherwise ) plastic cap.
I like them but, weather being what it's been, they haven't been tested much: certainly not for long term reliability; worth you having a look perhaps. Danfoss have a website which gives full specs. of the valves.

Comments from the 'pros' would be of interest............