What is a dual fuel radiator valve?

Description. The NEW Dual Fuel Radiator Valves are designed for when your pipework is coming out of the wall and you wish to use a dual fuel heating element. This enables for both sides of the radiator valves looking symmetrical opposed to the old 'dog legged look'.

How does dual fuel radiator work?

A dual fuel radiator is a radiator which can swap between being central heating orientated and electric. This means that whenever you choose, the dual fuel radiator can heat up with the rest of your radiator system whilst also being able to work independently of the other radiators in your home.

What does a dual fuel radiator mean?

Dual fuel heating is when a radiator will have an electric element inside. This element can be used when your heating system is turned off, and you want to just have one radiator on.

Can any radiator be dual fuel?

This means that your radiator can be heated either by the central heating system, or electrically via the heating element. This will work for various radiators, so long as the heating element fits safely it can be made into a dual fuel radiator.

Why do some radiators have two valves?

The reason you need two valves generally on all rads is because the system dictates a flow and return. The flow pipework carries the newly heated water from the boiler. The return taking it back at a lower temperature to be reheated by the boiler.

What is Dual Fuel Towel Rail?

Should both valves be open on a radiator?

You should open both of the valves on all of your system's radiator when you are starting the radiator balancing process. You will most likely need to use pliers to open the lockshield valve.

What is the difference between a lockshield and radiator valve?

The Lockshield valve restricts hot water flow to radiators to help balance the entire system as a whole. Other radiator valves can be used to help adjust the temperature of a radiator to help heat or cool a room.

How do I know if my towel rail is dual fuel?

To figure this out, divide your chosen towel rails' output in Watts by 1.81 and keep that number in mind. Then, browse through our dual fuel heating elements and select one that is suitable by rounding up. For example, if your required output is 247W then a 300W heating element will suit you perfectly.

Do all towel radiators need electricity?

Dual Fuel Towel Rails

The way to keep the benefits of a heated towel rail during summer months without wasting electricity when your central heating system is being used is to fit an electric element to the towel rail, as well as have it plumbed in to the central heating circuit.

Are towel radiators gas or electric?

Yet, towel rails are powered directly by electricity and therefore are a great deal more efficient. So much so that they are regarded as being nearly 100% efficient as all the energy consumed by the electric towel radiator is converted into heat and transferred into the surrounding room.

Should heated towel rails be left on?

Heated towel rails are designed to be left on all the time and there are no safety issues to consider if you decide you want to keep them running. A standard heated towel rail will typically come on and off in accordance with the main central heating system.

What is a combination radiator?

EHC Combination Radiators heat the whole room evenly due to their high fin design. This high fin design provides six times of surface area compared to other heaters the same size, while helping warm air to circulate throughout the room by convection which in turn eliminates costly hot spots at ceiling height.

Can you convert any radiator to electric?

Most towel radiators and heated towel rails are originally designed and manufactured to be part of a central heating system. However, most of them can be converted to electric use too. To do so, instead of buying a pair of valves, you will simply need to purchase an electric heating element and a blanking plug.

Which way do you turn a towel radiator?

The most common method for adjusting temperature will be to adjust the knob by turning clockwise to turn off - I.e. cool or anti clockwise to open and up the heat.

Do you need to bleed electric towel rails?

For a well-maintained heating system, annual bleeds are fine. It is also advisable to bleed a heated towel rail after any modifications, repairs or when the towel rail feels colder at the top. If you find you are bleeding your towel rail continually, please contact a professional.

What are the valves on both sides of a radiator?

One valve accounts for the amount of hot water that enters the radiator. The other valve, referred to as the lockshield valve, balances the system by regulating how much heat the radiator gives off. For a more detailed insight, take a look at our Radiator Valve Guide.

Should a lockshield valve be fully open?

Most lockshield valves have a plastic or metal cover. You should remove these and open all of the lockshield valves completely. This requires that you turn them anticlockwise. You should also fully open the TRVs (thermostatic radiator valves).

Do all radiators have a lockshield valve?

Lockshield Valves Explained

A lockshield valve is slightly different from manual and thermostatic valves as it controls how much water can exit a radiator. Every radiator has one, and you need them to make sure all the radiators remain balanced in your central heating system.

Which way do you turn a lockshield valve?

Once the system has cooled down, you will have to open the lockshield valve. To do this, simply turn in an anti-clockwise direction (to the left). You can do so by hand; but if your valves are a bit stiff, use your lockshield valve key, a spanner, or the wheelhead valve cap instead.

Which side of radiator is the lockshield valve?

The lockshield valve, on the side of the radiator opposite the on/off valve, may be adjusted to balance the output of your heating system. The lockshield itself is the plastic cap that covers the valve to ensure that you don't accidentally change the setting once you've adjusted it.

Do I need a lockshield valve?

A lockshield valve helps to balance out that radiator and ensure the whole system is in sync, with all radiators heating at the same rate. It is therefore every bit as important a valve as without the system being balanced, there is often little point adjusting an individual temperature valve.