How to install Thermostatic Radiator Valves to a Radiator

This guide will explain how to update your old radiator valves with thermostatic radiator valves (TRV’s). In doing so, you’ll enhance the efficiency of your heating system, and ensure you don’t have a radiator leaking water. Follow the simple steps listed below for helpful instructions on how to install TRV’s to a radiator.

Prior to purchasing TRV’s you’ll have to decide on your preferred style – straight or angled. You’ll also have to think about what size pipework they will be going onto such as 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches or 0.6 inches. It is also important that just a single radiator in the house doesn’t have a TRV fitted, to create a bypass if all the TRV’s knock off. The same principles apply to installing TRVs to towel warmers too, but there’s more on that in our Buyer’s Guide to Towel Warmers. Before you begin, you’ll have to drain down the heating system so there is no possibility of a leaking radiator.

Required Tools

Adjustable wrench
PTFE tape
Pliers
Junior hacksaw

How to install Thermostatic Radiator Valves

Step 1

To start with, remove the old radiator valve and tail via your pliers and adjustable wrench.

Step 2

Cut a line through the olive using your hacksaw, being careful not to catch the copper pipe.

Step 3

Split the olive using your flat headed screwdriver, then remove it.

Step 4

When this has been done, wrap your PTFE tape around the radiator valve 17 times in a clockwise direction.

Step 5

Place the valve on the tail and, using your adjustable wrench, knock it on to make sure it is fully pushed into the valve.

From there, hold the valve with the pliers, and use your adjustable wrench to nip up the tail nut.

Once the thermostatic radiator valves have been fitted, you just need to fill your system back up, and you’re done!