Having good heating systems is essential to keeping our homes warm during the cold months. It can be difficult to strike the ideal balance between warmth and energy efficiency, though. Setting the temperature of your radiators is an important part of maintaining the heating system in your house. Here’s where contemporary thermostatic devices come into play, providing practical and effective ways to regulate the amount of heat your radiators produce.
The days of guesswork and manually adjusting radiator valves to get the ideal temperature are long gone. Thanks to technological advancements, homeowners can now choose from a wide range of thermostatic devices, all of which are intended to make radiator temperature regulation simpler and more accurate. There is a thermostatic device out there to meet your needs, whether you want to reduce energy expenses, boost comfort, or just simplify your heating system.
The market offers a variety of options to suit varying tastes and budgets, from more advanced smart thermostats to more conventional thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs). For many years, homeowners looking for simple temperature control have favored TRVs. You can manually adjust the temperature that you want for each radiator in your house with these valves, which gives you the freedom to change the amount of heat that is produced in each room.
However, smart thermostatic devices might be the way to go if you’re looking for more sophisticated features and increased convenience. With the help of smartphone apps, you can remotely program and operate these smart devices, giving you the ability to control your home’s heating system from any location with an internet connection. Certain intelligent thermostats employ machine learning algorithms to adjust to your heating preferences and maximize energy efficiency, which could eventually result in financial benefits in the long run.
| Thermostatic Radiator Valve (TRV) | Smart Thermostat |
| A valve that automatically adjusts the flow of hot water into the radiator based on the room temperature. | An advanced device that connects to your heating system and allows you to control the radiator temperature remotely using a smartphone app. |
Controlling the temperature of radiators is crucial for both energy efficiency and comfort in the home. A variety of options are available with modern thermostatic devices to attain the best possible warmth and economy. These gadgets, which range in sophistication from basic radiator valves to sophisticated smart thermostats, enable homeowners to precisely adjust the temperature in accordance with their schedules and preferences. These gadgets improve comfort levels and lower energy waste and utility costs by providing fine control over specific radiators or zones within a home. Comprehending the various varieties and features of these thermostatic devices is essential for making well-informed decisions regarding efficient heating and insulation control in residential settings.
Use of special thermo-heads
A device with a unique compound inside is called a thermostatic head. The three-way valve and thermal heads need to be installed at the same time because without them, the radiator’s temperature cannot be controlled.
A simple and contemporary method of automatically controlling the temperature of heating radiators is the thermostatic head. Installing these devices on the three-way valve is recommended.
When heated, the filler expands quickly, and when cooled, it contracts even faster. The stem of the three-way valve that is mounted beneath the heat head is impacted by the expansion or contraction of this composition.
The device has a regulator that can be used to manually set the coolant temperature that is needed at any given time. After that, the heating is automatically controlled. Nevertheless, the thermostatic head’s new data will need to be manually reset if the room temperature changes.
There are two categories into which all thermostatic heads can be placed: stationary and remote. The first ones are fitted with a radiator pipe-mounted valve. The latter have an additional remote bulb that is designed to respond to variations in temperature. The lightbulb can be positioned at a specific distance from the radiator, but the thermal head itself is mounted near to it. A unique capillary tube connects the thermostatic head to the lightbulb.
A rather short capillary tube connects the remote bulb to the thermal head. The location of the lightbulb installation should ensure the most accurate temperature reading possible.
There aren’t many options for where to put the bulb in thermal heads with remote bulbs because their capillary tubes are typically rather short.
Servo drive+two-way valve
A more effective way to control the room’s temperature is to use two-way valves and servo drives. Though the general idea can also be applied in regular homes, this combination is most frequently utilized in smart home systems.
The following actions are carried out in order to realize the scheme:
- a number of temperature sensors are installed in the house;
- The temperature sensor data is transmitted to the processor;
- a special program processes the data;
- in accordance with the set parameters the heat carrier supply to the radiator is switched on/off.
This system makes it possible to manage not just a single radiator but also a collection of them, such as a section of a room’s heating circuit.
A servo actuator is utilized in this instance, as opposed to a thermal head, which uses a compound poured inside to operate the valve stem. A motor that runs on electricity at very low speeds. It enables the valve to open and close with extreme smoothness. There’s a good chance the system will experience a hazardous hydrostatic shock if the valve opens suddenly. Consequently, the heating system as a whole as well as individual parts may sustain damage.
An ordinary room temperature sensor, a servo drive, and a two-way valve can be used in place of a "smart house" system with numerous temperature sensors if installing one would not be practical. If the room is heated by a radiator that is situated in a niche and is shielded from view by a unique decorative screen, this solution is extremely practical. In this scenario, using a valve or thermostatic head to control the temperature will be inconvenient since you will need to take the screen apart each time.
Using a thermal head to control the temperature could be inconvenient if the radiator situated in a niche is concealed by a screen. A servo drive system will operate more efficiently.
It should be mentioned that installing a thermostatic sensor or thermostatic head in a niche that is covered by a screen is not a good idea because this creates an area that is too hot. Consequently, accurate measurement device readings will be impossible to obtain.
What servo drives are available?
It is common practice to automate plumbing, sewage, and heating systems using servo actuators. These devices come in two varieties:
When the device is energized, the former close and stay open. On the other hand, when the power source is applied, the second are both closed and open. Use only actuators of the closed type for heating systems.
An electric motor running at a low speed serves as a servo actuator for heating radiators. The device is depicted in the diagram: 1 – Auxiliary contact; 2 – Spring; 3 – Bellows; 4 – LEDs; 5 – Sixth cable connector.
The coupling nut on thermostatic heads and actuators has the same threads. As a result, they can also be installed with two or three stroke valves and traditional radiator valves. Nonetheless, some foreign manufacturers’ valves, like Giacomini’s, have different thread parameters.
How to correctly install the thermostat with servo drive?
Installing regulating devices is done as follows if the room has a single radiator that is situated in a closed niche:
- Select a location and install the room thermostat.
- Install a two-way valve on the radiator supply pipe.
- Screw the actuator to the valve.
- Connect the power supply cable to the actuator.
- Connect the cable from the servo drive to the thermostat.
Next, power the thermostat, activate the heating system, and adjust the thermostat to the desired temperature.
Installing a two-way valve on the return heating pipe is recommended if the room has multiple radiators. Concurrently, a section of the supply pipeline that has valves installed is constructed. These sections, which include the servo actuator, two-way valve, and supply with valves and "return," will be more practical if they are kept in their own niche. The procedure outlined above is used to connect the servo drive to the room thermostat.
It is advised to install a portion of the heating pipe vertically when there are many distinct temperature control zones. This will make it easier to install the valves beneath the actuators. In this instance, a pipe segment with a diameter greater than a standard pipe should be used to create a simplified analog of the distribution manifold. Installing a device to automatically remove accumulated air at the device’s highest point and connecting it via a ball valve is required. If not, the forced circulation heating circuit will be connected using the conventional horizontal two-pipe system. The following is covered in detail in the video:
The installation procedure for this kind of controlled heating system can go something like this, step by step:
- Draw up a project, indicating the individual zones of regulation.
- Install radiators.
- Lead the supply and return pipes to the distribution manifold.
- Connect the supply pipes to the system using ball valves.
- Connect the return pipes to the system using two-way valves.
- Select and prepare a location for the room thermostat.
- Connect the necessary power supply cables to the actuators and thermostats.
- Finish the room.
- Install actuators and thermostat.
- Connect the devices to the power supply.
Controlling the radiator temperature in your house is essential to having a cozy and energy-efficient living area. Modern thermostatic devices have advanced to the point where homeowners have a wide range of options, each with special features and advantages.
The ability of contemporary thermostatic devices to precisely control each radiator’s temperature is one of its main advantages. This enables homeowners to customize the heating in every room to meet their unique requirements, guaranteeing maximum comfort and reducing energy waste.
Modern thermostats also have the benefit of an easy-to-use interface and programmable features. With the help of these devices’ user-friendly controls and scheduling capabilities, homeowners can automate their heating system and save money on energy use when rooms are unoccupied.
Moreover, energy efficiency is a major consideration in the design of contemporary thermostatic devices. These gadgets are a wise investment for homeowners because they precisely control radiator temperature, which lowers energy usage and heating costs.
To sum up, contemporary thermostatic devices provide a practical and effective means of controlling the radiator temperature in your house. These devices offer homeowners increased comfort, convenience, and cost savings thanks to their precise control, user-friendly interface, and energy-saving features. Investing in contemporary thermostatic devices is a wise decision, regardless of your goals—improving the energy efficiency of your house or replacing your outdated heating system.
