What is a thermostatic valve?
A thermostatic valve controls the output of a radiator by limiting the flow and it does this by sensing
the temperature in the room. All radiators should now be fitted with a Thermostatic valve as it saves energy
and stops un-wanted overheating of an individual room.
What is a lock shield valve?
A lockshield valve is really a contract term that means that the valve can be locked or anti-tamper. It is
now pretty much used for any other valve other than a thermostatic valve. Lock shield valves can sometimes
only be the cap that is not a wheel head and you would need a spanner to adjust the valve. The lockshield
valve was invented to create a flow even when an opposite wheel head was closed down.
What is a manual valve?
A manual valve is any valve that you operate by turning and does not have any thermostatic sensing capability.
These types of valves do often come with a dust cap that does not operate the valve and requires a spanner or
wheel head to operate.
What is a wheel head?
A wheel head is valve that can be turned to adjust the flow into the radiator and turned off to inhibit
the flow. In all radiators you need a flow and a return and a wheel head can go on either, but generally
when used with a thermostatic valve it is fitted on the return.
What is a twin pack?
A twin pack is a thermostatic valve and manual radiator valve. In most cases the manual radiator
valve does not come with a cap that is only a cover and not a wheel head. The Bentley and Wave range of
valves always come complete with a Thermostatic valve and lock shield which is a manual valve with a dust
cap that can be operated by a spanner.
What valves do I need?
In all cases it is best to have a thermostatic valve as this gives you the option to moderate the
temperature of a radiator and controls the heating in a much more individual basis, i.e. per room.
The best valves to use are dependent on the finish that you are trying to achieve and it is often advisable
to choose a valve finish that matches either the radiator or the surrounding fixtures. Today there is a
wide range of styles and finishes and at really affordable prices.
What side does the TRV go on?
The thermostatic valve always needs to go on the flow as it performs best in closing down the radiator
if the room gets too hot. Thermostatic valves have numbers on the head from 0 – 5 or 0 – Max. This indicates
the temperature of the room and an average temperature can be seen on our technical pages.
What valves look best on my radiator?
There are now lots of different styles and finishes of radiator valves and it is always best to look at
price, functionality and its environment first. If it is a general panel convector radiator then it is
best to use a contract valve or Wave Twin pack that can more affordable. The next question is whether you
actually need thermostatic or manual and then what sort of fixtures of fittings do you have in the room and
what finish they are. With regards to column radiators the best looking valves are the Bentley range as they
reflect the opulence and traditional or modern style that you are trying to convey. Valves are often
overlooked and it is a shame to use a basic valve on a designer radiator and you should always enhance the
radiator with a designer valve.
What valve should I use on a column radiator?
Column radiators can be interpreted as modern or traditional and the Bentley and Wave ranges reflect the
different opinions. If you are looking for a modern style then the Wave with its sleek look and various
finishes is an ideal candidate.
What valves should I use on a towel rail?
The best valves to use with a towel are dependent upon where the pipes are coming from. The connections
for a standard ladder towel rail are on the bottom so if the pipes are coming from the floor then straight
valves are advisable. If the pipework is coming from the wall then the corner style valves are recommended
because you get a neater finish. You can use a thermostatic valve and a lockshield to make the rail fully
adjustable with regards to heat output. Towel rails come in white, chrome and colours and BiWorld offers
various finishes to suit.
What valves should I use on a convector radiator?
Convector radiators are always generally white so either a contract thermostatic twin pack or a decorative
Wave Thermostatic twin pack to complement existing fixtures.
What is the best finish of valve to use?
All the valves are the same quality and just differ in looks and style. The best way to decide on a
finish is too look at the surrounding fixtures, for instance chrome light switches or electrical sockets
and reflect this in the valve body or head. The valves that are very popular with column radiators are the
Bentley range and exclusively designed to match the finish of Revive Radiators. In most cases the Raw Metal
Revive radiators are complemented by an Antique Brass finish but Black Nickel is also very popular because
of its opulent look.
What size valve do I need?
All tapings on standard radiators are ½” BSP and all of the BiWorld radiator valves have the same size tail.
What is the best location for a thermostatic valve?
The best location for a thermostatic valve is away from any curtains or obstructing objects. For the best
results the valve needs to have a good air flow across the head in order to sense the room requirements and
close or open accordingly.
How do the pipes tails work?
Our pipe tails are the actual pipe that you need to use for the connection from the radiator valves to the pipework system. These pipe tails are not covers and manufactured in conjunction with our various finished valves to create a uniform appearance between valve and tail. Each tail is manufactured in steel with a PVD plated finish. The connection to the Pipe Tails can be made in either compression or push-fit fittings. They are made from PVD plated steel and good practice is required to ensure a good clean connection. It is recommended to completely prep any flat joint connection correctly.
What is a pressure reducing valve?
A pressure reducing valves allows for an equal pressure to be found in a system or pipe. They are used when you have an incoming water system that has a higher than required pressure, or a pressure that could be detrimental to the units within the system. The main use is with mains water which in some areas can be well over the recommended 3bar.
What is the unvented control set?
The inlet control set or group valve is a pressure reducing valves that allows for the blending of two different water pressures and temperature. Creating a balanced pressure after the valve and protects the unit, namely unvented cylinders from extraordinary pressure.
How does the expansion vessel kit work?
The expansion vessel kit connects directly on to the 3/4”MIX fitting that is on the top of the valve. The kit contains a pressure gauge and filler loop that allows the exact display of the system pressure and an easy way to fill up from the incoming main.
What does the cylinder flange do?
The cylinder flange draws water from the top of the cylinder and reduces the amount of air that forms in the hot water heat up inside the cylinder. It allows for a unique connection into the cylinder and facilitates a smooth draw off of hot water. These are only suited for copper cylinders.
What is an automatic bypass valve?
An automatic bypass valves allows the flow of water to be modified if the system has too higher pressure or velocity. The high velocity of water in a system can impact of the operation of radiator valves, especially thermostatic ones. So an automatic bypass senses the flow, pressure and velocity and diverts some of across to a return pipe. This is often a problem with variable speed pumps, large water volume systems and systems with lots of drops and long distance runs. The size and water volume in a system can create very static parts to the system with is not good for boilers and the general performance of the system. The side effects are noisy pipes, noisy valves and poor performance in radiators.
How do the radiator valve extensions work?
The radiator valve extensions are used instead of the radiator tail that now comes complete with all of our thermostatic and thermostatic twin pack range. They are a great way to extend the length of a radiator without major disruption and easy to install and really well priced.
What is the guarantee on BiWorld Controls products?
All BiWorld products are guaranteed for two years where installation is correct and good practice is followed. Any issues with products will be thoroughly investigated and the best solution sort in order to minimise disruption. Good practice involves automatic bypass valves being fitted to the system be the thermostatic valves always placed on the flow.
Where can I buy BiWorld products?
You can purchase BiWorld products from any of our stockists and good Independent merchants.
What types of Bentley valves are there?
There are three different types of Bentley valves and these are due to operation and style. The first is the Traditional Range that is supplied with a dark wooden style head and is available in Chrome, gold, antique brass, silver nickel, antique copper and black nickel. This a thermostatic valve complete with a heavy matching lockshield valve. Also supplied as a Thermostatic twin pack is the Bentley Gothic valve range with comes in the same finishes but has an ornate style and blackened finish. The third is the Bentley Gothic manual valve which is a old fashioned lever style valve that comes complete with a lockshield and is ideal for cast iron radiators or anything that is requiring a really authentic valve.
What size Allen key is the Bentley range lock shield valves manual shut off valve?
The manual lock shield valve that comes with all the different ranges of Bentley valves can be operated using an 8mm Allen key that can be used to balance the radiator and also turn off the flow through the valve.
How do I completely close the thermostatic radiator valve?
All of BiWorld’s thermostatic radiator valves do not have a permanent shut off and require a decorators cap to completely shut off the valve. This is a plastic thread cap which may require a spacer in some instances in order to physically push the pin to stop and flow through the valve. Decorators caps can be requested through info@biworldcontrols.co.uk but are often supplied with the valve. BiWorld controls recommends that the remaining valves parts are always capped in order not to allow any water to pass.
