An important element of the heating system, which allows you to maintain the temperature at the required level, is a thermostat. It helps to achieve significant energy savings. In order for the device to work correctly, it must be installed and configured correctly. Almost everyone can handle this task. How to install and configure a thermostat on a heating battery will be discussed later.
What is a thermostat?
How does a thermostat work on a radiator? This device controls the heating of the radiator in each room. One device is installed for each room separately. Some people may feel that the room is too cold or, conversely, too hot. The thermostat allows you to create and maintain comfortable conditions.
This is a small device that regulates the flow rate of heatedsystem fluids. If you need to lower the temperature, less hot water enters the battery, and vice versa. This appliance cannot heat water, but it controls the heated flow.
The thermostat device is relatively simple. It includes a valve and a thermal head. The first of these elements has a brass body. Inside it there is a through hole, as well as a saddle and a locking mechanism. The latter has the shape of a cone. During operation of the thermostat, the locking mechanism is set in motion. It can go up and down. This is how the heated flow is regulated.
Considering how the thermostat works on the battery, it should be noted that there is another important detail. This is a thermal head. It is she who sets the locking mechanism in motion. The thermal head consists of a bellows (hermetically sealed cylinder) and a thermal agent contained in it. It can be gas or liquid. The faster the thermal agent reacts to changing environmental conditions, the better the control system works.
It is worth noting that a ball valve or cone valve can also restrict the flow of coolant. However, their operation is associated with some inconveniences. The ball valve is designed to operate in two modes only. It can open or close the flow of water, but cannot be operated in intermediate positions.
If a cone valve is used, the adjustment will need to be done (as with a ball valve) manually. This is inconvenient, therefore, to maintain the optimum temperature in the room, it is necessary to use a thermostat.
Working principle
Before installation, you need to consider the principle of operation of the thermostat on the radiator. This device during normal operation of the system operates with an error of 1ºС. This can be achieved thanks to the coordinated work of all mechanisms.
There is liquid or special gas inside the thermostat. As the room temperature rises, the heat agent in the bellows expands. At the same time, the dimensions of the cylinder also increase. This part begins to put pressure on the piston, which drives the locking mechanism. It descends, blocking the flow of water.
Since the coolant no longer enters the radiator, it cools down quickly. This leads to a decrease in the air temperature in the room. During this process, the substance in the bellows also returns to its previous state. The cylinder stops pressing on the cone. This allows hot water to return to the radiator. The cycle repeats.
Before you learn how to install a thermostat on a radiator, you should consider a few more nuances. The radiator warms up unevenly. In some places it can even be cold. However, this should not be feared. If you remove the thermostat from the battery, it will become completely hot again. But it can be too hot in the room because of this. If cold spots remain after removing the thermal head, it means that the radiator is clogged, it needs to be cleaned or air removed.
Temperature controllers can be installed on all radiators. The exception is cast iron varieties. They warm up and cool down slowly. Therefore, the use of a thermostat in this case would be inappropriate.
Varieties
When choosing a thermostat for a heating battery, it should be noted that they can be of three types. The locking mechanism is almost always the same. The principle of operation of the upper part of the system, the thermal head, is different. They can be:
- manual;
- mechanical;
- electronic.
The most demanded system today is a mechanical thermal head. The user sets the heating level in degrees. The thermostat itself adjusts the level of hot water supply to the radiator. It is a convenient and relatively inexpensive system.
The cheapest variety are manual thermal heads. Here the user independently limits the flow of water entering the radiator. This is somewhat inconvenient, it allows you to set the heating level only approximately. But such a system is cheaper than others.
The most expensive are electronic thermal heads. They have a digital display and have many additional features. In such devices, the presence of a program is provided. You can set the time at which the system will perform heating. If the owners are not at home at a certain time, you can make the heating minimal. Before they arrive, the thermal head will heat the radiators. Such a system allows you to save money on paying for energy resources as much as possible.
How to adjust the thermostat on an electronic type heating battery is described in detail in the manufacturer's instructions.
In addition, the thermostat may provide for the presence of nonbuilt-in, and remote sensor. This allows the system to more accurately respond to the level of heating in the room. The radiator thermostat with an external sensor measures the temperature directly in the room, and not near the radiator. This helps fine-tune the system. Installing a remote sensor is also advisable if the battery is covered by a curtain or screen.
Other important qualities of a thermostat
The choice of a thermostat for a heating battery, the adjustment of which is carried out depending on the type and functional features of the system, depends on several more parameters.
Today, thermal heads are on sale, in the bellows of which there may be a special liquid or gas. To answer which filler is better, you should consider the reviews of experts. They claim that the gas reacts faster to changes in ambient temperature. Therefore, more expensive products from well-known manufacturers have such a filler in the bellows.
Fluid thermostats also respond quite quickly to changes in the environment. But they are still inferior to thermal heads with gas in the bellows. The advantage of liquid designs is their reasonable cost. This is due to a simpler manufacturing technology. The vast majority of mid-range battery thermostats come with liquid in the bellows.
It is worth considering another important factor influencing the choice of a thermostat for a heating battery. There are two for saletypes of thermocouples. They can be installed on both one- and two-pipe heating systems. In order not to be mistaken, you should pay attention to the marking.
If the thermostat has the letters RTD-G, these thermostatic heads are used for a one-pipe heating system. The liquid in it has a natural principle of circulation. For two-pipe systems, thermal heads are made with the RTD-N marking. Here, water is supplied using a circulation pump.
Select installation location
There are a number of recommendations on how to install the thermostat on the radiator adjustment. First you need to choose the right device that will meet all operating conditions. Next, you need to correctly determine the place for installation. Do not install the thermostat on the radiator in a place where direct sunlight will fall on the device.
Also, the accuracy of measurements is reduced if there are devices that emit heat near the thermostat (except for the heating radiator itself). It is unacceptable for the thermostat to be covered with curtains or curtains. Normal air circulation should be maintained around it.
If it is not possible to install thermostats on all radiators in the apartment, you need to choose a few of them, where the use of such devices would be most appropriate.
If this is a multi-storey private house, it is recommended to install thermostats first on the top floor. This is due to the effect of convection. Warm air rises. Therefore, it is often necessary to lower the temperature on the second and third floors.
If the batteries are installed in a one-story house or apartment, you need to mount thermostats on those radiators that are located near the boiler.
If it is not possible not to cover the thermal head with curtains, you should choose models with a remote sensor.
Installation recommendations
How to install a thermostat on a battery? First of all, you should carefully study the manufacturer's instructions. Only after that you can start working. It is worth starting the installation from those rooms where people spend a lot of time. Here, it is required to regulate the microclimate indicators in the first place.
Experienced experts note that the thermostat should be installed as close as possible to the radiator. There is a vertical pipe here. This is where the device crashes into. The thermostat must be installed at the radiator inlet, because it limits the inlet flow.
If the system is currently in use, it will need to be drained of water. Therefore, it is more expedient to carry out the installation when the heating season has not yet arrived. This will make the job much easier.
The choice of valves must be made in accordance with the diameter of the pipes. It can be ½ or ¾ inch. Do not save on related materials. Seals must be of high quality. Otherwise, a leak will soon appear. It will take a lot of effort and time to eliminate it.
Also, experts say that forsimple maintenance of the radiator system in front of the thermostat, cut-off valves must be inserted into the system. If necessary, it will be possible to cut off the flow of water completely, repair or replace any element of the system.
Installation algorithm
To install the thermostat on the radiator, you will need to perform several sequential steps. First, water is drained from the system. If there are shut-off valves, only one radiator can be removed. Next, determine the place for installing the thermostat.
If there are no shut-off valves, after draining the water from the entire system, you will need to cut the pipe. For a one-pipe system, you will need to connect an additional jumper, which is called a bypass. The valve will need to be installed on the top pipe. Shut-off valves are also installed on the upper and lower supply lines. They will definitely come in handy in the future. These can be ordinary ball valves with two positions.
If the system is two-pipe, shut-off valves are installed at the outlet and inlet of the battery.
The ends of each pipe will need to be threaded. The body of the device is installed in the prepared place for installing the thermostat. With the help of locknuts, it is qualitatively fixed on the pipe. This procedure is carried out on both sides, while using the created thread.
Tow, treated with laundry soap, is wound on the joints. You can also use a special fum tape. Both options provide a strong connection. Wind them against the thread.
You will need to installthermostat. It must be in a horizontal position.
If the temperature controller has a remote sensor, even before installation, you need to choose a suitable place for installation for it. Usually it is fixed on the wall, like a conventional switch. Only after that it is possible to carry out installation according to the described technology.
How to install the thermal head
Before considering the procedure for adjusting the thermostat on the radiator, you need to pay attention to a few nuances. To install the thermal head, you need to find an arrow on the case. It is guided by it during the installation. The arrow indicates in which direction the coolant is moving.
The fixed part of the system is installed first. A rotating nozzle will subsequently be installed on it.
The valve must be attached to the supply pipe with the help of an "American". This is a special coupling with a union nut. This will make it easier to remove the device if needed. The valve must be installed horizontally and nothing else. Otherwise, the system will not work correctly.
Before installation, you need to remove the protective cap. Next, it will be possible to mount the bellows element. It is fastened with a nut, which will need to be tightened with a spanner wrench. If the head has a latch, fixing is easier. To do this, turn the structure to the maximum opening position, and then press until it clicks.
After that, you need to assemble the entire system and check it for leaks. If they are not, you can operate the system.
Settings
How to adjust the thermostat on the battery? When all installation steps are completed, you need to configure the device. First you need to close the windows, doors in the room. Drafts should be excluded.
The thermostat is placed in the center of the room. It should be at half the height of the room. Next, open the valve of the device mounted in the system. It is turned all the way to the left. Next, you need to set the maximum value of the water temperature.
As soon as the room warms up to 7 ºС, the Faucet on the appliance will need to be closed. To do this, turn it all the way to the right. Next, you need to track changes on the thermometer. When the temperature reaches the required limit, the valve begins to turn smoothly to the left. This must be done until a clear sound of water inside the device is heard.
At this mark, you will need to fix the crane. A marking (notch or line) is created on the device. This will allow you to properly adjust the device during further operation.
Features of the electronic system
How to adjust the thermostat on the radiator if it is an electronic system? To do this, follow the manufacturer's instructions. In this case, the settings are even easier. The program is set using the buttons. The required temperature is set for every hour during the day.
The program will be repeated every day. Some manufacturers have the ability to set the program for weekends and weekdays or for every day of the weekseparately. This is very convenient, since energy is only consumed when the owners of the house need it.
