Best thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)

 

Which are the best TRVs? We compare 32 TRVs of all styles.

We have researched 32 good quality TRV’s available to buy in the UK and presented them here in product groups according to budget and style as follows: Standard TRVs, Premium TRVs, Chrome TRVs and Designer TRVs. Prices shown are based on angled TRVs (prices are given as a guide and may vary according to supplier).

Thermostatic Radiator Valves, or TRVs, are a way of turning the temperature on your radiators up and down. TRVs allow for room temperatures to be individually controlled. As such they are a cost effective way of improving the efficiency of your heating system and lowering fuel bills. Prices for TRVs vary, commonly from £10 to £30, although designer products are £100-£200. 

TRVS by type:

Standard TRVs:

Manufacturer	Drayton	Drayton	Honeywell	Honeywell	Myson	Peglar	Peglar	Danfos
Model	RT212	RT313	Valencia VTL120	VT15EG	2TRV15C	Terrier 11	Bulldog 2	RAS-C2
								​
Price	£12.99	£10.20	£19.54	£15.70	£16.94	£17.83	£11.39	£14.89
Warranty	1 years	2 years	1 year	1 year	2 years	5 years	5 years	1 year
Settings	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	Roman numbers I-VI	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6
Frost Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

Premium TRVs:

Manufacturer	Drayton	Honeywell	Danfoss	Siemens	Peglar	Peglar	Altecnic	Intatec
Model	TRV 4 White and Chrome	Valencia VTL200	RAS D2 White	TRV	B4452/4	Terrier 3	Ecocal	I-Therm
								​
Price	£23.86	£20.77	£23.96	£30.00	£28.44	£17.83	£27.41	£21.60
Warranty	1 years	1 year	1 year	5 years	1 year	5 years	5 years	2 years
Settings	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-5	No 1-6	Roman Numbers I-VI	No 1-6
Frost Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

Chrome TRVs

Manufacturer	Drayton	Honeywell	Myson	Myson	Peglar	Reina	Danfoss	Intatec
Model	TRV 4 Chrome	Valencia VTL20015A-C	2TRV15DEC	Petite	Terrier 11 Chrome	Modal	RAS-D2 Chrome	I Therm
								​
Price	£29.15	£28.98	£37.50	£24.00	£21.00	£24.00	£33.60	£26.40
Warranty	1 year	1 year	2 years	2 years	5 years	1 year	1 year	2 years
Settings	No 1-6	No 1-6	Roman numbers I-VI	Roman numbers I-VI	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6
Frost Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

Designer TRVs:

Manufacturer	Peglar	The Radiator Company	The Radiator Company	The Radiator Company	The Radiator Company	Beehive	Beehive	Beehive
Model	Terrier Decor	Ideal TRV	Chrome Pistol	Ideal White	Ideal Black	Black	White	Chrome
								​
Price	£35.00	£105.56	£138.90	£120.65	£125.40	£198.00	£198.00	£198.00
Warranty	5 years	5 years	5 years	5 years	5 years	1 years	5 year	1 year
Settings	No 1-6	No 1-6	-	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6	No 1-6
Frost Protection	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes

 

TRV basics:

Angled TRVs

Most standard radiators will use an angled TRV irrespective of whether pipework comes up from the floor or out of the wall.

Straight TRVs

Where pipework comes out of the floor and usually only with designer radiators and towel rails.

Corner TRVs

Sometimes a preferred option over Angled TRVs where compatible with the radiator.

8mm/10mm/15mm sizes

Most TRVs will be fitted to 15mm pipe, which is the standard size pipework for a heating system. 8mm and 10mm are used for ‘microbore’ pipe systems.

Top or bottom of the radiator?

If the valve is currently at the top, then it’ll go in the top, otherwise it almost always goes at the bottom. Both with bill angled valves

Lock Shields

Most standard radiators have two outlets. A TRV is fitted on one outlet and a ‘lock shield’ on the other

Installation tips

Arranging installation

Thermostatic radiator valves can be installed by a heating engineer or a plumber, i.e. the fitter does not have to be Gas Safe registered to work on the radiators and radiator valves.

It is however very cost effective to fit new TRVs when a new boiler is installed, since changing the valves can be done whilst the system is drained down. It is also a nice job for the apprentice whilst the lead engineer installs the boiler.

Are they mandatory with a new boiler installation?

For new build properties, it is an energy saving requirement that the new heating system meets a minimum standard of controllability, namely the inclusion of a thermostat, programmer and TRVs.

For existing properties, heating companies are urged to encourage the installation of TRVs, but it is not mandatory. It does however make good sense.