Why You Should Be Thinking About Radiator Valves, Like, Right Now

Unless you've been living under a rock, or you're not that interested in all things coffee, you may have missed the news Starbucks is launching the Pumpkin Spice Latte (#PSL4LYF) extremely early this year. At the time of writing, the sickly sweet coffee variables are about to be back on the menu, which is surprising seeing as we've only just reached the end of the dog days of summer.

The news did suddenly make me realise something important, though; it's almost autumn! That means, depending on where in the world you are, we're about to get those three magical months of crisp mornings, taking big jackets and scarves back out of the wardrobe, and stomping around sludgy mounds of leaves in big boots.

I love autumn, but I know one thing that doesn't: my home heating. That's why I've now made the connection of all things Autumnal with an annual scoot around the house to check on my radiators. Now is the time to check your radiators are working fine and will happily whirr away when you reset the timer to come on in the morning. Otherwise, you could end up with busted pipes and broken radiators in the colder month.

Let's take a look at why you should be thinking about your radiator valves now that it's almost the time of year for them to get back in action.

Firstly, know how your valves really workAre you the kind of person who will crank the radiator valve open fully when you need the heating on later in the year? I hate to break it to you, but you might be wasting a LOT of energy in the process, which in turn will cause bills to go up. That's money which could be better spent on Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

Many people have a basic misunderstanding of how radiator valves work. It's all too easy to crank the valve open with a little lefty loosey action and walk away to let the radiator do its job. I always tell people to think of their radiator valves like the taps on your kitchen sink. When you need water to fill a glass, do you turn the tap a little bit to let the water stream through easily, or do you turn that tap fully and let the water rush in like it's going out of style, letting most of it flush down the drain?

This is the same way radiators work. The degree to which you have a valve open determines how much water gets in, and how hot a radiator can get.Secondly, know what type of valve you have

On your radiator, do you have valves with a little cap on like a thimble, or do you have valves which are numbered and look like they have a hat on? If it's the little cap, you have a manual valve, and you'll have to play about a little to guess what the optimal opening needs to be to let the right amount of water in. If you have the numbered valve with the hat thing on top, that's a thermostatic valve, and this autumn it is about to become your new best friend.

Ever have it where you have the heating timed to come in when you get in, and you come home to a stuffy and almost sweaty room? The thermostatic valve can change that. Like what I said about the kitchen sink analogy, these valves allow for a greater level of control as the cap has its own little thermometer like magic going on. A small heat sensor inside will push a pin down on where water comes on, depending on how hot you want the room to be. If you've always had these valves set to 5, turn them down to 2 or 3, and you'll be surprised that your rooms will feel pleasant rather than a sauna.

Again, most people don't know this, but when thermostatic valves are up around 4 or 5, you're essentially asking the valve to heat the radiator to a point where the room is around 30°C/ 86°F. If you try your hardest to avoid rooms being this hot in the summer, why would you have valves set this way in the autumn?

Thirdly, get a good deal on valves

No one should be expected to know off the top of their head how much a radiator valve costs. The price of a bottle of milk or Pumpkin Spice Latte (I promise that's the last mention of it) sure, but radiator valves, where do you even start?

May I point you in the direction of the lovely folk at Trade Radiators. They're an online-only radiator store which specialises in all types of radiators, valves and all the other accessories you never knew you wanted on your radiator. They can help you get the right type of valve for your radiators this autumn, especially if you think it would be worth switching from a manual to thermostatic model.

It helps too they have valves in some lovely colours as well, and not just those off-white valves that come as standard.Make your home work for you!

I hope I somehow managed to make the seemingly mundane world of radiator valves sound more exciting. If you're stuck at home with what's going on in the word, and you're finding working there a little tedious, read about the Small Changes You Can Make In Your Home to Improve Your Health.