Radiator replacement and TRVs
Warmer rooms, better control, and radiators that suit the space.
Old radiators get tired. They rust at the seams, fill with sludge and leave the bottom half cold. We replace single radiators or whole houses, fit extra radiators in cold rooms and add thermostatic radiator valves so each room heats to the temperature you want. We size each radiator to the room, then give you a fixed quote before we start.
When a radiator needs replacing
Bleeding and a system clean fix a lot of cold radiators. Replacement makes sense when the radiator itself is the problem:
- Rust spots or pinhole leaks, often along the bottom seam
- Cold at the bottom even after a clean (sludge that has set hard)
- The room never gets warm because the radiator is too small for it
- You are redecorating and want a different style or a better position
- You are switching to a heat pump, which usually needs larger radiators
Getting the size right
Radiator output depends on the room size, how many outside walls it has, the windows and how well the house holds heat. We work out the heat each room needs rather than copying the old radiator, because the old one was often guessed in the first place.
Heat pumps run at lower water temperatures than gas boilers, so their radiators need to be bigger to give the same warmth. If you are planning an air source heat pump, tell us now and we will size for it.
Thermostatic radiator valves (TRVs)
A TRV sits on the end of the radiator and shuts it down when the room reaches its set temperature. It means the spare bedroom is not heated like the lounge, and the sunny kitchen does not overheat.
TRVs work alongside a room thermostat, not instead of one. Leave one radiator without a TRV (usually where the room thermostat is) so the system always has somewhere to circulate. Smart TRVs go a step further and let you set times room by room from your phone, which pairs well with a smart thermostat.
Doing it alongside other work
Replacing radiators means draining the system, so it is the ideal time to clean it properly. If the water is black, a power flush before the new radiators go on protects them and your boiler.
Many people replace radiators at the same time as a new boiler. One drain down, one refill, one set of disruption.
What is included
- Room-by-room heat check to size each radiator
- Old radiators removed and taken away
- New radiators fitted with new valves
- Thermostatic radiator valves fitted where they make sense
- System refilled, inhibitor added and radiators balanced
- Fixed quote before any work starts
Radiators and TRVs FAQs
How much does radiator replacement cost?
It depends on the size and style of radiator, whether the pipes need moving, and how many you are changing. Swapping like for like in the same position is the cheapest. We give you a fixed price once we know the rooms and radiators involved.
Can I move a radiator to a different wall?
Yes. It means running new pipe, which can involve lifting floorboards or chasing a wall. Under a window is still a good spot in most rooms, but it is not the only option, especially with modern double glazing.
Are TRVs worth fitting?
For most homes, yes. They stop rooms you are not using from being heated to the same level as the rest of the house. They are cheap to fit when the system is already drained for other work.
How long does it take to replace a radiator?
A straight swap in the same position takes a couple of hours, most of it draining and refilling. A whole house of radiators is usually one to two days.
Do I need bigger radiators for a heat pump?
Often, yes. Heat pumps are most efficient at lower flow temperatures, so some radiators need upsizing to keep rooms warm. An MCS heat loss survey shows exactly which ones.
Get a fixed price for your home
Tell us about the job and we will arrange a free survey.