Managing Temperature In New Radiator

pinkfloydian · 25-11-2025 01:57PM #1

I recently had a heated towel rail (hot water/oil fired central heating) installed in a downstairs toilet.

It is getting too hot to the touch (especially for little ones)

There are 2 valves at the bottom (left and right)

How can i reduce the operational temperature (to the touch)?

Wearb · 25-11-2025 02:32PM

It will be difficult to continuously control the touch temperature from there. It's controlled mostly by the boiler. The trouble is lowering the boiler temperature will in all likelihood give insufficient heat to the rest of the house.

You could fit a thermostatic valve or turn one of the valves off and back on a 1/2 turn. You'll have to experiment with it.

Best bet is Thermostatic valve, but even then the rad will get very hot while heating the room.

Maybe some sort of guard but you most likely will not want that.

zg3409 · 25-11-2025 02:43PM

Go to the boiler and turn down temperature. Put up a photo here if unsure. That sets maximum radiator temperature for all radiators. All radiators in house we will not get as hot so heating may need more time to heat. The upside is heating is typically more efficient. You can always turn it back up again during cold snaps. You could also fully turn off the new radiator during cold snaps to prevent burns.

pinkfloydian · 25-11-2025 02:55PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124017668#Comment_124017668

Here is the settings on the boiler (don't understand them, I'm afraid).

I have 2 Hive thermostats (one in hall and one on landing).

When I boost heat, I select 22° on my phone app

10-10-20 · 25-11-2025 05:16PM

I'd back off the lock-shield valve and only open it a quarter of a turn, then adjust up or down by opening it a smidgen from that. Works for all of my rads.

pinkfloydian · 25-11-2025 05:21PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124018104#Comment_124018104

Thanks 10-10-20, but I've no idea what a lock shield valve is (right or left?)

Both of the valves takes about 6-8 full turns to open/close (I assume clockwise is closing). So, would 2 full rotations = quarter of a turn?

10-10-20 · 25-11-2025 05:32PM

On rads there is typically a valve (typically replaced now with a TRV) and a lock shield. The lock shield is on the hot input and the valve is commonly on the output. Take photos of both and upload them here.

pinkfloydian · 25-11-2025 05:36PM

Here is a photo

10-10-20 · 25-11-2025 05:48PM

Are they both adjustable? I'd guess that the TVR is on the left and the lock shield is on the right. Close the lock shield by turning it clockwise until the radiator is off, then open it back up a quarter turn. Then adjust slightly as required.

The heat output will drop and it will be less effective at heating the room, but it's the trade-off from adjusting the boiler down.

The boiler output temperature appears to be the middle knob, turn it very very slightly anti-clockwise to adjust it down.

Managing Temperature In New Radiator

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