What Are Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs)?

TRVs — short for thermostatic radiator valves — are a smart little upgrade that can make a big difference to how your home feels and how much you spend on heating. They let you control the temperature of each radiator individually, so you’re not overheating rooms you’re barely using.

How Do TRVs Work?

Each TRV has a built-in sensor that monitors the room temperature. When the room hits the temperature you’ve set, the valve automatically reduces the flow of hot water into that radiator. If the room cools down again, the valve opens and lets more heat in.

So instead of blasting heat everywhere all the time, your radiators only warm up when they’re actually needed. Simple, but clever.

What Are the Benefits?

Lower energy bills: No more wasting heat in unused rooms.
More comfort: Keep bedrooms cool and living rooms cosy.
Room-by-room control: Great for homes with different heating needs.
Easy to use: Just twist the dial to your preferred setting.

TRVs are especially handy if you’ve got guest rooms, home offices or rooms that get warmer than others — like south-facing ones.

Where Should I Fit TRVs?

TRVs can be added to most standard radiators, and they work best in places like:

Bedrooms
Living rooms
Spare rooms or guest rooms
Home offices

Heads up: Don’t install a TRV on the radiator in the same room as your main thermostat — it can confuse the system and stop the boiler running as it should.

Are TRVs Worth It?

Definitely — especially if:

You’ve got rooms that feel too hot or too cold
You want more control over your heating bills
Your system doesn’t already have smart zoning

While TRVs don’t talk to the boiler directly, they cut down the demand in individual rooms — so your whole system runs more efficiently. Pair them with regular boiler servicing and clean radiators, and you’ll notice the difference.

Manual vs Smart TRVs

Manual TRVs are the twist-to-set type — simple and effective. Smart TRVs, on the other hand, connect to apps like Hive or tado°, letting you control each radiator from your phone. Great if you want full remote control or to heat your home room-by-room based on your schedule.

Need TRVs Fitted or Replaced?

At Jones Heating, we supply and install all types of radiator valves — from basic manual TRVs to smart setups that work with your existing system. Whether it’s one leaky valve or a full upgrade, we’ll get it sorted quickly and properly.

📞 Call us: 01383 660098
🌐 Learn more: Radiator Valve Replacement in Dunfermline

Heating smarter starts with the little things — and TRVs are a great place to begin.