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

Date Published:

20/05/2009

Step Two:

Fit the new adaptor, cap nut and olive (the metal collar) onto the radiator. Clean the internal threads with a clean cloth and wrap some PTFE tape half a dozen times around the adaptor threads, winding it clockwise. Screw the adaptor into the radiator and tighten.

Step Three:

Remove the old olive and cap nut from the copper pipe and replace with the new set. If the old olive doesn’t slide off, carefully cut part way through the olive and break the pieces apart with a small screwdriver. Don’t let the hacksaw blade touch the pipe. Fit the thermostatic valve.

Step Four:

Tighten the cap nut between the adaptor the valve, holding the body of the valve with one wrench. Finally tighten the cap nut between the pipe and new valve. Refill the central heating system and check for leaks.

Step Five:

Set your living room valve to fully open and your bedrooms to a lower setting. You don’t need to constantly change the settings as you use the rooms. If you have a spare bedroom, put the valve on the frost or minimum setting and keep the door closed so that the adjacent radiators don’t try and compensate for the drop in air temperature.

You should not fit a thermostat in the same room as the room thermostat that controls the overall boiler output.

If you have any doubts, consult your supplier or a professional before starting work.