How does a TRV work? - Thermostatic Radiator Valves.

Thermostatic radiator valves (also called TRVs)
allow you to control the temperature of each room independently.
They are fitted to each individual radiator and are a very energy efficient way
of controlling a central heating system (sometimes called space heating).
The TRV must have a free flow of air around it. Try to avoid covering it with curtains.

Without TRVs, all the radiators in the property will try to raise all of the rooms
to the temperature which has been set by the main room thermostat.
The room thermostat (sometimes called a roomstat) is usually found in the hall.
Without TRVs we can still turn off an individual radiator completely at the valve
but this will leave the room with no heating. 

With TRVs, each radiator can be set to control the temperature of the room.
This allows some rooms of the house to be warmer than others, or unheated if you wish.
It is easy to change the temperature setting of the TRV by rotating the top of the valve.

Turning the TRV up will make the room heat up to a higher temperature but it will
not make the room heat up more quickly. The rate at which the room heats up depends
on the boiler, radiator size, room size and the amount of insulation in the roof and walls.
Turning the TRV down will maintain the room at a lower temperature
(using less energy and saving you money) but it will not make the room cool down more quickly.
The rate at which the room cools down depends only on the amount of insulation.

To fit a TRV to a radiator, the heating system needs to be drained down
and then refilled with the addition of a corrosion inhibitor.

You should not fit a TRV to the radiator nearest to the room thermostat - see boiler interlock.

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