Thermostats for a heating radiator

When heating is turned on in many homes, the temperature rises high enough to cause discomfort. To fix this, you can open a window or install thermostats.

general description

Bimetallic regulators have been in use for over 50 years. They were originally used to reduce heating costs. But they can also be used to lower the air temperature in the room.

Radiator ball valve

Such a device is a simple locking mechanism. Despite the fact that such products are not thermostats, they are worth mentioning. In some cases, this is the only option to lower the temperature of the heating radiator. The ball valve is used if cast iron batteries are installed in the apartment. The tap allows you to shut off the flow of hot water, which will help reduce the temperature.

Unlike ball valves, thermostats work automatically after adjustment. Such products have a mechanism that helps to close the channel. They are convenient and, after setting a certain regime, do not require any action from the apartment owners.

Electronic thermostats

Such products are equipped with a temperature sensor and a processor. Their work is based on the readings of sensors. Thanks to the processor, the regulator can be programmed for a certain operating mode. For example, you can set your device to the lowest temperature when all family members are not at home during the day. You can also adjust the temperature rise at a specific time.

Electronic devices can be powered by batteries or mains. Some modern models can be controlled via the Internet. By using this type of controller, heating costs can be reduced by about 20 percent.

Regulators with thermal head

Regulators of the described type are the most common devices. Inside such devices is a corrugated shell that contains a heat-sensitive compound. When the temperature changes, the walls of this element can stretch and contract.

As the temperature rises, the temperature-sensitive composition expands, as a result of which the bellows presses on the stem, which presses on the cone. After that, the flow of the coolant is shut off.

Bellows can contain both liquid and gas. The first type of products reacts to temperature changes more slowly. Thermoregulators with such devices are less expensive and are purchased by most apartment owners. If you need to install regulators on several radiators installed in large rooms, it is worth purchasing products with a corrugated jacket containing gas.

This is due to the fact that these regulators allow you to quickly change the air temperature. If the device is installed on one radiator, you can also purchase a liquid version, since in such a case, the response speed of the device is less important.

Installing regulators on batteries

The process of installing the Royalthermo thermostat is divided into 2 stages: installation of the valve and installation of the control element of the structure. The valve cuts into the supply line. First, it is necessary to completely shut off the flow of fluid into the radiator. It should be remembered that if the system is one pipe, a bypass must be installed. This will allow the coolant to move freely through the heating system of the entire building. After that, you need to cut out a part of the water supply and install a valve in its place.

Carrying out such work requires specialized tools and experience, so it is better to entrust them to specialists. You can install the control element of the structure with your own hands. It is enough to screw it to the valve or insert it into the grooves.

The first option is more common, since threaded products can be selected from a large number of products from different manufacturers. Some companies produce radiators with a thermal head, to which you can easily select a control element.

During the installation of thermostats, it is worth remembering some points:

1. It is worth choosing bimetallic products with the ability to block the flow of the coolant. This function may be needed when repairing a radiator. You can also install a ball valve in front of the battery for this.
2. During installation, the valve must be installed so that the thermal head is horizontal. When installed vertically, the air rising from the radiator will heat the device. As a result, the device will not work correctly.
3. Also, the thermostat should not be installed behind blackout curtains or decorative panels. This may cause the device to malfunction due to the increased ambient temperature. If the design elements cannot be removed, you should find a structure that has an external temperature sensor.
4. If there are several radiators in the apartment, you should not purchase a thermostat for each of them. It is enough to install the devices on half of them.

Types of thermostats by signal transmission method

All described devices are divided into 3 types:

• devices in which the signal is supplied from the coolant;
• products that receive a signal from the air in the room;
• models in which the signal comes from outdoor air.

All these models differ in the type of thermal head. Products of the first type are manually operated. On the valve head of such devices there is a scale with numbers. By turning it in a certain direction, you can set the desired temperature. When turned to zero, the thermostat closes completely. This position is usually set only when it is necessary to replace the radiator.

Apartment owners often purchase products with a corrugated shell, which contains a substance that reacts to changes in temperature. Thanks to such devices, you do not have to worry about excessive temperature rise, as they automatically lower it. The described products are installed horizontally towards the room.

In some cases, it is better to use bimetallic devices with remote temperature sensors. They are located outdoors and when the air temperature drops, they send a signal to the thermostat. Thanks to the use of such regulators, in case of cold weather, the air in the room will automatically heat up.

Such devices are the most efficient but costly. It should be noted that if there are a large number of radiators in an apartment or house, several types of regulators can be used.

Types of devices by design features

If we divide the described devices according to their design features, then it is worth highlighting such types as direct-action products and models with electric control. Electric ones can send a signal to a valve in the pipes or control the ignition of a heating boiler.

The direct-acting device is a simple tap that shuts off the coolant supply. Such products are rarely used because they do not allow making the temperature in the room comfortable. Such devices should not be installed if there is no jumper on the pipes.

Almost all described devices can be installed both on modern metal radiators and cast-iron batteries. But the installation must be done by a specialist.