PHAM NEWS | JULY/AUGUST 2025 HeatingControls 27
Balancing systems to up their effi ciency
System balancing is an easy way to improve system effi ciency and enhance customer comfort levels, but it is often overlooked by heating engineers. Here, Merlin Milner from Drayton explores how new auto-balancing TRVs are making this easier for installers to achieve.
T
oday, heating engineers are being challenged to improve system effi ciency and
reduce the running costs of heating systems, all without compromising on the comfort levels homeowners are used to. However, a boiler upgrade may no longer be the most suitable answer to this challenge. Boilers today are the most
effi cient they have ever been. New boilers in the UK have an ErP effi ciency of at least 92%, in order to comply with Boiler Plus regulations. So, unless heating engineers are replacing an incredibly old boiler with a new modern one, a boiler upgrade is likely going to have little impact when it comes to improving effi ciency and energy savings. So what are the other ways in
which effi ciency gains can be made? One such way is system balancing, which involves adjusting the fl ow of hot water through each radiator in the home to ensure every room receives the right amount of heat. Without it, radiators closest to the boiler tend to receive more hot water and heat up quickly, while those furthest away receive a lower fl ow of hot water.
Unbalanced systems The uneven distribution in an unbalanced heating system can lead to cold spots forming
around the property. As a result of rooms not heating up as they’d like, homeowners are more likely to crank up the temperature on the thermostat to achieve their desired comfort levels, which in turn leads to higher energy use and increased wear on the boiler. For installers, an unbalanced
system can result in inconvenient and avoidable call-backs, and addressing this during commissioning is far easier and more professional than trying to resolve issues after installation.
Merlin Milner Product owner for water-based systems at Drayton
Drayton’s TRV4 Auto- balancing TRV simplifi es
commissioning and reduces call-backs
On balance Traditionally, installers would balance a heating system using lockshield valves, which involved manually measuring the temperature diff erential (delta T) across the fl ow and return of each radiator. This process could take a couple of hours, especially in larger properties, and would require detailed adjustments to achieve the desired diff erential. While eff ective, this method
had its downsides as over time, the balance could be lost due to system changes or TRVs being fully opened or closed. In recent years, TRVs have
played a greater role in making system balancing easier. Whilst this still required the installers
to manually calculate the 20°C delta temperature diff erence between the fl ow and return on each radiator, instead of using the lockshield, some TRVs can
be balanced using a unique balancing key. This would be used to fi x the fl ow rate, and the setting could then be locked to prevent tampering.
Assessing alternatives Today, making the process even easier are auto-balancing TRVs, such as those off ered by Drayton. Once set during the installation process, this technology automatically regulates the fl ow through each radiator based on system demand, maintaining the correct distribution of hot water no matter how other valves are adjusted. This removes the need for manual balancing altogether and ensures consistent performance long after the system is installed.
Reap the benefi ts For time-conscious installers working to tight schedules, auto-balancing TRVs help to simplify the process while easily complying with the Benchmark commissioning checklist too. Whether it’s a boiler upgrade or a full system replacement, many auto-balancing valves, including those from Drayton, are designed with the same dimensions as GB-pattern valve bodies found in UK systems for easy retrofi tting.
Auto-balancing TRVs automatically regulate the fl ow through each radiator based on system demand, maintaining the correct distribution of hot water
By improving the performance of the heating system with this technology, installers can reduce the number of call-backs from customers experiencing issues with cold spots. However, it is not just installers
who benefi t. According to research by Drayton, auto- balancing TRVs have been found to deliver an average energy saving of 8.8%. For homeowners, this translates to enhanced effi ciency and lower energy bills, along with well-maintained comfort levels.
Big results Switching from regular TRVs to auto-balancing TRVs is an easy change that heating engineers can make to help improve the quality of their installations. Requiring much less work than traditional system balancing methods, this technology enables installers to deliver warmer, more energy-effi cient homes, while also strengthening customer trust. ◼
phamnews.co.uk/725/48
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