Thermostatic Radiator Valves, or TRVs, are way of turning the temperature on your radiators up and down. TRVs allow for room temperatures to be individually controlled. As such they are a cost effective way of improving the efficiency of your heating system and lowering fuel bills. Prices for TRVs vary, commonly from £10 to £30, although designer products are £100-£200. We have researched the majority of good quality TRV’s available to buy in the UK and presented them here in product groups according to budget and style.
Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) | A Buyer's Guide
QUICK GUIDE SUMMARY
What are thermostatic radiator valves? We explain how they work and review 32 TRVs
Overview of Thermostatic Radiator Valves
There are three types of TRV:
Angled, Straight and Corner. Angled is the most common.
We have found that the majority of TRVs
fall into one of four prices groups: Standard, Premium, Chrome and Designer
Warranty periods
vary considerably between 1 and 5 years.
Plumbers and heating engineers
can install TRVs. They are not mandatory with a new boiler but highly recommended.
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
Using this Guide: use this guide to find the most suitable TRVs for your budget
TRVs by type
TRVs by budget and warranty period
Get advice on installation
Types of Thermostatic Radiator Valve
Angled TRVs
Most standard radiators will use an angled TRV irrespective of whether pipework comes up from the floor or out of the wall.
Straight TRVs
Where pipework comes out of the floor and usually only with designer radiators and towel rails.
Corner TRVs
Sometimes a preferred option over Angled TRVs where compatible with the radiator.
8mm/10mm/15mm sizes
Most TRVs will be fitted to 15mm pipe, which is the standard size pipework for a heating system. 8mm and 10mm are used for ‘microbore’ pipe systems.
Top or bottom of the radiator?
If the valve is currently at the top, then it’ll go in the top, otherwise it almost always goes at the bottom. Both with bill angled valves
Lock Shields
Most standard radiators have two outlets. A TRV is fitted on one outlet and a ‘lock shield’ on the other
Prices and Warranty Periods
We have grouped TRVs together based on price as follows: Standard TRVs, Premium TRVs, Chrome TRVs and Designer TRVs. Prices shown are based on angled TRVs (prices are given as a guide and may vary according to supplier). Find your budget group and then find your preferred TRV.
Standard TRVs
| Manufacturer | Drayton | Drayton | Honeywell | Honeywell | Myson | Peglar | Peglar | Danfos |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | RT212 | RT313 | Valencia VTL120 | VT15EG | 2TRV15C | Terrier 11 | Bulldog 2 | RAS-C2 |
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| Price | £8.50 | £13.00 | £14.00 | £10.00 | £16.50 | £13.50 | £11.00 | £12.00 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years | 5 years | 5 years | 1 year |
| Settings | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | Roman numbers I-VI | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 |
| Frost Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Premium TRVs
| Manufacturer | Drayton | Honeywell | Danfoss | Siemens | Peglar | Peglar | Aletcnic | Intatec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | TRV 4 White and Chrome | Valencia VTL200 | RAS D2 White | TRV | B4452/4 | Terrier 3 | Ecocal | I-Therm |
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| Price | £22.00 | £16.00 | £30.00 | £30.00 | £28.00 | £15.50 | £26.00 | £18.00 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 1 year | 5 years | 1 year | 5 years | 2 years | 2 years |
| Settings | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-5 | No 1-6 | Roman Numbers I-VI | No 1-6 |
| Frost Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Chrome TRVs
| Manufacturer | Drayton | Honeywell | Myson | Myson | Peglar | Reina | Danfoss | Inatec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | TRV 4 Chrome | Valencia VTL20015A-C | 2TRV15DEC | Petite | Terrier 11 Chrome | Modal | RAS-D2 Chrome | I Therm |
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| Price | £34.00 | £30.00 | £37.50 | £24.00 | £21.00 | £24.00 | £38.00 | £25.00 |
| Warranty | 2 years | 1 year | 2 years | 2 years | 5 years | 1 year | 1 year | 2 years |
| Settings | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | Roman numbers I-VI | Roman numbers I-VI | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 |
| Frost Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Designer TRVs
| Manufacturer | Peglar | The Radiator Company | The Radiator Company | The Radiator Company | The Radiator Company | Beehive | Beehive | Beehive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Model | Terrier Decor | Ideal TRV | Chrome Pistol | Ideal White | Ideal Black | Black | White | Chrome |
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| Price | £35.00 | £9300 | £128.00 | £111.00 | £116.00 | £198.00 | £198.00 | £198.00 |
| Warranty | 5 years | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 year | 1 years | 5 year | 1 year |
| Settings | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | - | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 | No 1-6 |
| Frost Protection | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Installation Tips
Arranging installation
Thermostatic radiator valves can be installed by a heating engineer or a plumber, i.e. the fitter does not have to be Gas Safe registered to work on the radiators and radiator valves.
It is however very cost effective to fit new TRVs when a new boiler is installed, since changing the valves can be done whilst the system is drained down. It is also a nice job for the apprentice whilst the lead engineer installs the boiler.
Are they mandatory with a new boiler installation?
For new build properties, it is an energy saving requirement that the new heating system meets a minimum standard of controllability, namely the inclusion of a thermostat, programmer and TRVs.
For existing properties, heating companies are urged to encourage the installation of TRVs, but it is not mandatory. It does however make good sense.
