TRV vs Manual Radiator Valve: Which Do You Need?
Both valve types control your radiators, but in very different ways. Choosing the right one for each room makes your heating more comfortable and efficient.
Manual radiator valves
A manual valve is a simple on/off and flow-control valve. You turn the wheelhead by hand to open or close the radiator, and it stays exactly where you set it until you change it. Manual valves are inexpensive, robust and available as angled or straight bodies in chrome or white.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
A TRV automatically maintains a set room temperature, opening and closing on its own as the room warms and cools. This makes them more convenient and more energy-efficient than manual valves in most rooms.
Which should you fit?
As a rule of thumb: fit TRVs in bedrooms, living rooms and hallways for automatic, energy-saving control. Use a manual valve (or leave the TRV fully open) in the room that has your main room thermostat, so the two controls don't fight each other. Bathrooms are sometimes fitted with manual valves so the towel rail can stay warm.
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