Radiator sizing

[Murdoch]

Ok, I am not a plumber and do not touch anything involving water (unless its a kettle) or gas.

We are having a bathroom refitted and want a nice new shiny chrome radiator. The room is about 2.4 x 1.4 x 2.4 metres high. Lots of the better looking radiators appear to have very high BTU's - is it sensible to add a thermostatic value?

Apologies if this sounds stupid, I work with cables!

 

[lame plumber]

its mandatory under building regs

 

[Murdoch]

its mandatory under building regs

So is abiding with Part P but many ignore it!

Thanks, will check with the bathroom man/plumber and see what he says.

 

[mountainman]

A TRV is cheaper to install and not use than retrofitting one because you wish you had.

 

[lame plumber]

if your current rad doesnt have a trv then you may need an autobypass if you fit a trv

 

[Murdoch]

if your current rad doesnt have a trv then you may need an autobypass if you fit a trv

Current rad is in the skip!

 

[dontknowitall]

A couple of chrome lock shields are fine (the other end to the trv!) It's not wholly within the regs but many feel a trv in the bathroom is a total waste of money and two lock shields look so much neater!! Also, when the heating's on the bathroom is lovely and warm.

They can, of course, be turned down with a spanner but I've never been asked to do this!!

(It aint just me who does this is it? :smile: )

 

[happyflyer]

Murdoch,

Just be aware that the modern nice shinny towel rail don't give off much heat, so if you want the same heat as the rad in the skip beware you might not get it, I take it the existing radiator was simply on the same system as the rest of the rads in the house, then put a TRV on the new rail, and then when the building inspector calls (who by the way you never told him what your are doing did you) you can tell him where to go with his part P, as if he would called round if you told him what you are doing, anyway your a sparks you know the score.

 

[Paulus]

A couple of chrome lock shields are fine (the other end to the trv!) It's not wholly within the regs but many feel a trv in the bathroom is a total waste of money and two lock shields look so much neater!! Also, when the heating's on the bathroom is lovely and warm.

They can, of course, be turned down with a spanner but I've never been asked to do this!!

(It aint just me who does this is it? :smile: )

I always recommend a TRV but customers rarely want one. At the end of the day nice shiny towel warmers are more of an ornament than anything else and look better with matching chrome lockshields. :wink_smile:

 

[Nostrum]

Great having a Trv until the towel you've hung on Your new towel rail drapes over it, rad goes cold, towel stays wet and room stays cold.
I never put them on towel rails.

 

[dontknowitall]

Glad it's not just me who thinks some things are over regulated! :smile:

 

[leelister6]

Don't think I've ever fitted a TRV on a bathroom rad. They look naff and as has been mentioned, they rarely work correctly when covered with a towel

 

[SimonG]

I never fit one on the bathroom rad or towel rail. You want your towels warm and dry coming out the shower, not cold and damp.

 

[Howsie]

Forget a trv on a towel rail. Is it on the primary circuit?

 

[Roger Welton]

IMHO towel rail isn't a space heater but for warming towels, trv on bathroom rad but not on towel rail.

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

Glad it's not just me who thinks some things are over regulated! :smile:

I'm with you too.
Who would ever want a cold bathroom? Who are these people who want to turn off or turn down the rad in the bathroom?
Personally I think Universal TRVs thrust upon us by law was the result of some TRV-manufacturer conspiracy.

 

[Mrs Tara Plumbi]

I would not have a chrome towel rail (in the future) they are high maintenance to keep them clean and shiny.
I quite like the white towel rail we have in our utility room - still too much dusting required.
I'm not sure what the perfect solution is.
Probably to employ a cleaner!

 

[AlexGas]

I think it's neat.