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            <title>
									Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls - Renewable Heating Hub Forums				            </title>
            <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/</link>
            <description>Questions and discussions about renewable heating and heat pumps</description>
            <language>en-GB</language>
            <lastBuildDate>Tue, 06 Oct 2026 15:23:53 +0000</lastBuildDate>
            <generator>wpForo</generator>
            <ttl>60</ttl>
							                    <item>
                        <title>Minimum system volume</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/minimum-system-volume/</link>
                        <pubDate>Sat, 08 Aug 2026 17:42:09 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Does minimum system volume matter in the context of simple, one circuit, full-flow air to water HP designs?  I have a massive hydronic slab as a heat exchanger,.. and my brain thinks the sla...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Does minimum system volume matter in the context of simple, one circuit, full-flow air to water HP designs?  I have a massive hydronic slab as a heat exchanger,.. and my brain thinks the slab will exchange plenty of heat for defrost and this eliminate short cycling concerns.  I don’t see any reason for adding extra volume.  What am I missing?  AI seems to think the volume is needed as the slab can’t exchange heat fast enough. Anyone with experience in this? .. has anyone here tried to run well below the minimum recommended volume? </p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Tony.Stolz</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/minimum-system-volume/</guid>
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				                    <item>
                        <title>Radiator Valves Bore</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/radiator-valves-bore/</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:13:20 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Hi All could do with a little help, we have had a Valiant Heat Pump installed all working ok, no buffer tank. We now are ready to fit a radiator in our newly completed bathroom, we have boug...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi All could do with a little help, we have had a Valiant Heat Pump installed all working ok, no buffer tank. We now are ready to fit a radiator in our newly completed bathroom, we have bought the radiator but need help with the valves as i understand Heat Pumps require maximum flow with little restriction, on looking at most modern 15mm bore valves they actually only have an inlet hole of about 5-6mm if you look into the pipe.</p>
<p>Have asked our original installer and they said any valve is ok just not TRV in Bathroom due to Heat and moisture.</p>
<p>Asked manufacturer of radiator, who makes valves, they say you need a wide bore valve with a Heat Pump but they do not make them. <br />I am confused if Heat Pumps should be used unrestricted what type of valves are people using as the wide bore valve is not common, is it correct to use the standard valves with a 5-6mm inlet.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>BrightSpark</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/radiator-valves-bore/</guid>
                    </item>
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                        <title>Floor standing brackets for K3 rads</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/floor-standing-brackets-for-k3-rads/</link>
                        <pubDate>Mon, 15 Jun 2026 20:48:29 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[My neighbour is a plumber and said I would need to fit dwangs (reinforcements) behind the plasterboard to hang big enough radiators for my retrofit. He was unaware of the floor standing brac...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My neighbour is a plumber and said I would need to fit dwangs (reinforcements) behind the plasterboard to hang big enough radiators for my retrofit. He was unaware of the floor standing brackets from Stelrad.</p>
<p>I originally saw them on cityplumbing at over £60 which I thought would be a pair... but that's each. Stupidly, Wolsley are basically the same shop in the same building with the same stock and we're 1/3 of the price!</p>
<p>https://www.wolseley.co.uk/product/stelrad-k2-k3-freestanding-foot-single---hardware-pack</p>
<p>https://www.stelrad.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Stelrad-K3-Floormount-Instructions.pdf</p>
<p>With some careful measuring to position the height of the wall brackets, the radiators are stood on the floor but still hooked onto and restrained by the wall brackets.</p>
<p>The 700 x 1600 weighs 96kg when empty.</p>
15293
15292]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Singlespeed</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/floor-standing-brackets-for-k3-rads/</guid>
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                        <title>Buffer Tank Dixell Setpoint vs Weather Compensation Flow Temp on Altherma 3M Heat Pump... Will It Ever Trigger?</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/dixell-controller-set-points-with-altherma-3m/</link>
                        <pubDate>Fri, 15 May 2026 11:59:10 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Hello, I am completely new to heat pumps having moved into a house with one I wasn&#039;t involved in the install etc so trying to understand it all.
I&#039;m trying to understand around the buffer t...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hello, I am completely new to heat pumps having moved into a house with one I wasn't involved in the install etc so trying to understand it all.</p>
<p>I'm trying to understand around the buffer tank and the set point on the dixel controller. What should the set point be set to as I understand that it only triggers the circulation pump when it reaches that +2c but if the WD curve is currently 25C and the set point is 30c, it won't ever reach it I thought? Sorry if this is dumb question </p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Lbart68</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/dixell-controller-set-points-with-altherma-3m/</guid>
                    </item>
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                        <title>Brown Oily Residue Blocking Air Vent and Weeping Relief Valve... Anyone Seen This?</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/brown-oily-residue-blocking-air-vent-and-weeping-relief-valve-anyone-seen-this/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 06 May 2026 08:55:33 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[My installation is 4 years old. After about 18 months a brown coloured leak appeared around the press/temp relief valve on the DHW cylinder. It’s still unexplained. In any case, I considered...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My installation is 4 years old. After about 18 months a brown coloured leak appeared around the press/temp relief valve on the DHW cylinder. It’s still unexplained. In any case, I considered the valve would need to be replaced or reseated. In case the leak worsened, I wanted to know how this valve was sealed to the cylinder protruding boss that accommodated the valve – was it a parallel or taper pipe thread? How was it sealed? Or was it a design that incorporated mating faces sealed with an O-ring?</p>
<p>No rational response and notable exasperation that I should ask such questions – presumably because they didn’t know. I was trying to be prepared in case I had to suddenly deal with it.</p>
<p>Last week, I experienced a leaking air vent on top of the buffer cylinder. I asked if they had a part number. The number I was given was a purge/bleed screw, which looked like a small screw with a hole to allow air escape when loosened. I now realise the air vent was added by the installers but it fitted into a ½” boss, not something that would accommodate a bleed/purge screw.</p>
<p>Other instances around guarantee registration (website registration on the card didn’t exist/German address on the card) were met with indifference.</p>
<p>I compare this with very positive help from Worcester Bosch over ten years, including guiding me in sorting plumber’s bodged repairs.</p>
<p>For the brown gunge leak, they suggested limescale. It still beats me why that should emanate from around that valve. Similarly, the leaking air vent was, on examination, due to an accumulation of brown oily gunge blocking its exhaust. Any suggestions as to what it is are most welcome.</p>
14984]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>seoras</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/brown-oily-residue-blocking-air-vent-and-weeping-relief-valve-anyone-seen-this/</guid>
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                        <title>Two heating zones to one zone</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/two-zone-to-one-zone/</link>
                        <pubDate>Tue, 05 May 2026 10:30:40 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Hi
Just a quick one...
I have a two zone system - daft really as we&#039;re in a bungalow &amp; the second zone is just the two bedrooms. I&#039;ve replaced the stupid neomitis thermostat in zone on...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hi</p>
<p>Just a quick one...</p>
<p>I have a two zone system - daft really as we're in a bungalow &amp; the second zone is just the two bedrooms. I've replaced the stupid neomitis thermostat in zone one with an old Hive one - mainly so I can control &amp; monitor things. What's the easiest way to make it just one zone? I have motorised valves for both zones. </p>
<p>I had thought of just connecting the two "demand"s together?</p>
<p>Steve</p>
14982
<p>&nbsp;</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Profzarkov</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/two-zone-to-one-zone/</guid>
                    </item>
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                        <title>Living with a Low Loss Header (Or Measure For Measure, it’s All About the Pump)</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/living-with-a-low-loss-header-or-measure-for-measure-its-all-about-the-pump/</link>
                        <pubDate>Sun, 12 Apr 2026 11:16:40 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[I know, low loss headers (LLHs) aren’t necessarily ‘low loss’ but, if set up carefully, those losses may be minimised.



Our own installation ‘features’ an LLH, I didn’t know that they ...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<!-- wp:paragraph -->
<p>I know, low loss headers (LLHs) aren’t necessarily ‘low loss’ but, if set up carefully, those losses may be minimised.</p>
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<p>Our own installation ‘features’ an LLH, I didn’t know that they intended to fit one until I saw the pipework and had to enquire what the device was. Once I knew what had been fitted, I was determined that it should be adjusted via the secondary pump to run as efficiently as possible.</p>
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<p>The secondary pump (Wilo Pico) has a number of settings including a variable range – and this is the means to run the LLH with as close a balance for the flow as possible. I am using the term low loss header in this article but the same procedure could be used for a 4-port buffer tank as the working principle is the same.</p>
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<p>I should say now that the primary pump in our Daikin heat pump seems to run at three different flow rates but the majority of the time, it settles down to the lowest flow rate of ~7 litres per minute; I decided to optimise the secondary flow to match this.</p>
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<p>Four temperature probes were attached to flow and return ports (these were purchased <a href="https://amzn.to/4thUmdS" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">from a well known South American river company</a> fairly cheaply as a pack of four and, as such are not calibrated and thus ‘vary’ from each other). It is wise to compare the readings from the four probes and make a note of the differences; please see note at the end of the article about calibration.  </p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large is-resized"><img class="wp-image-22067 lazy" style="width: 667px;height: auto" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%20667%201024%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" data-src="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image2-667x1024.jpeg?x38294" alt="" /></figure>
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<p>The probes are attached tightly to the four ports on the LLH and then covered with several layers of  insulating reflective foil ‘wrap’ to give the probes the best chance of sensing the pipe temperatures fairly accurately. I arranged my four sensor displays to mimic the position of the four ports; thus the top left senses flow to LLH, top right senses flow from LLH, lower right senses return from heating to LLH and lower left senses return from LLH to heat pump. The secondary pump (Wilo Pico) is connected to the flow out from the LLH to feed the heating circuit.</p>
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<figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img class="wp-image-22068 lazy" src="data:image/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns%3D%22http%3A%2F%2Fwww.w3.org%2F2000%2Fsvg%22%20viewBox%3D%220%200%201024%20677%22%3E%3C%2Fsvg%3E" data-src="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/image1-1024x677.jpeg?x38294" alt="" /></figure>
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<p>With the heating system running and settled down, note the various readings from the four probes – the aim is to minimise any differences between the flow in to the LLH and the flow out from the LLH to the heating circuit. It is also desirable to minimise the differences between the return into the LLH and the flow out that returns the water to the heat pump. There should be a difference in temperature between these two pairs of ports as the return circuit has dissipated heat in the emitters.</p>
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<p>The aim is to reduce the ‘distortion’ to the minimum; should the secondary pump be running too fast, this will cause excessive mixing of the return with the flow from the heat pump. It may be a delicate balance to match flow from the heat pump, but if running too slow, less heat will be drawn into the secondary pump from the LLH.  This 'balance' requires patience and small increments of change in secondary pump speed and then waiting to see the difference such an adjustment has made. After a few iterations, it will become apparent what effect any change is making.</p>
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<p>My own setup shows a difference of ~0.1- 0.2C (after applying the correction factor) between in and out port pairs on a good day and when the primary flow is ~7 lpm., this is the best I have managed to achieve. This suggests that I have an efficiency loss of ~0.1-0.5% but I am leaving things at this as removing the LLH and re-plumbing the system is a relatively large step to make in our airing cupboard; the expression ‘leave well alone’ comes to mind!</p>
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<h4 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Calibration of Temperature Probes.</strong></h4>
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<p>These ‘cheap’ probes are not calibrated and to be at all meaningful, it is advisable to carry out a basic check to discover the difference between the probes before use. Tying all four probes into a bunch and close together, they should be observed over a number of hours and any differences between them noted.</p>
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<p>I didn’t place mine in water (though this might improve the reading accuracy) as I was not sure if the probes and leads are sealed and thus water proofed. I did place a Govee device on either side of the bunched probes as a sanity check though. I found that two probes were within 0.2 degrees of each other and the same as the Govee readings, the other two were also within 0.2 degrees of each other but the ‘pairs’ were a full degree apart.</p>
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<p>When setting up my displays, I arranged them so I knew that the left hand displays were showing ~1 degree higher than the ones on the right and made the necessary allowance (correction factor) in reading the values. Without spending considerably more for accuracy, I felt this was perhaps an acceptable compromise. Rather than trying to measure an absolute value, this method which shows a comparison, should suffice for the purpose.</p>
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						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Toodles</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/living-with-a-low-loss-header-or-measure-for-measure-its-all-about-the-pump/</guid>
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                        <title>Vaillant Connect and Starlink</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/vaillant-connect-and-starlink/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 17:55:24 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Just gone over to Starlink and finally fast internet and downloads. But the Vaillant Connect no longer does. Anyone had similar? Is there a workaround? Vaillant have requested I do the usual...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Just gone over to Starlink and finally fast internet and downloads. But the Vaillant Connect no longer does. Anyone had similar? Is there a workaround? Vaillant have requested I do the usual - use 2.4Ghz band not 5. Reset this, reset that. Not working. &#x1f641;</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>jwilliam</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/vaillant-connect-and-starlink/</guid>
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                        <title>Swedish retrofit product that guarantees heat pump SCOPs of 10!</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/swedish-retrofit-product-that-guarantees-heat-pump-scops-of-10/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:11:13 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[A new Swedish retrofit product has been announced guaranteeing a heat pump SCOP of 10 for just £199!
The system combines a heat-recovery TRV with an adaptive outdoor sensor using reverse we...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p class="p1"><span class="s1">A new Swedish retrofit product has been announced </span><span class="s2">guaranteeing a heat pump SCOP of 10</span><span class="s1"> for just £199!</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">The system combines a heat-recovery TRV with an adaptive outdoor sensor using </span><span class="s2">reverse weather compensation</span><span class="s1"> to dynamically reduce system demand and recycle internal heat gains.</span></p>
<p class="p1"><span class="s1">Full breakdown here: <a href="https://youtu.be/L_JIcUglbmM">https://youtu.be/L_JIcUglbmM</a></span></p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Mars</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/swedish-retrofit-product-that-guarantees-heat-pump-scops-of-10/</guid>
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                        <title>To re-pipe or not to re-pipe? Moving from oil boiler to air source heat pump.</title>
                        <link>https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/to-re-pipe-or-not-to-re-pipe/</link>
                        <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 17:20:24 +0000</pubDate>
                        <description><![CDATA[Installing ashp in early 2000 homes. We have a 2010 self build which we bought in 2013. Insulation is good but down stairs has a floating floor. We’re going to move from oil to ashp. We’re g...]]></description>
                        <content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Installing ashp in early 2000 homes. We have a 2010 self build which we bought in 2013. Insulation is good but down stairs has a floating floor. We’re going to move from oil to ashp. We’re getting mixed messages about the existing system which is microbore pipes. Some advise ripping it out and re piping. It’s going to be messy. Others say that with modern ashp as long as the radiators are sized right it doesn’t matter. What is the right approach?</p>]]></content:encoded>
						                            <category domain="https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/">Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators &amp; Controls</category>                        <dc:creator>Penval</dc:creator>
                        <guid isPermaLink="true">https://renewableheatinghub.co.uk/forums/thermostats-trvs-pumps-valves/to-re-pipe-or-not-to-re-pipe/</guid>
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