A-Z of DIY & Building Guides How To Fit A Thermostatic Valve

Date Published:

20/05/2009

Contributed By

George Clarke

I always say that getting your heating right is an absolute must in any renovation. A thermostatic valve detects the room temperature and will control the heat level of the radiator to keep the temperature at a constant setting. Most units have an off setting, then a frost setting (for rarely used rooms) and then numbered calibrations. These valves can save you money and reduce your home’s carbon emissions from day one.

Time required:
Allow around an hour per radiator

Cost:
You should be able to find these valves for around £9 each. Look out for bulk buy savings

Skill level:
You need to be confident enough that you can deal with draining down your central heating system - it's a DIY task, but it's best left to experienced DIYers

You'll need:
Two adjustable spanners; PTFE tape; screwdriver; radiator key, bowl and old towels/sheets; radiator spanner; junior hacksaw

Step One:

The first task is to drain your central heating system. It’s better to try to fit all the valves in one go so that you don’t have to drain the system more than once. Put plenty of old towels or sheets around the floor. Hold the body of the old valve with one of the adjustable wrenches and use the other to loosen the nuts that hold the valve onto the copper pipe and to the adaptor that’s fitted into the radiator. You should not be able to remove the valve. Unscrew the adaptor from the radiator. You may need to use a radiator valve, fitted inside the adaptor.