Auto-Balancing TRVs for ASHP system

Thermostats, Volumisers, Buffer Tanks, TRVs, Pumps, Piping, Valves, Radiators & Controls

Last Post by Derek M 3 years ago

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Dunlorn

(@dunlorn)

Estimable Member Member

Joined: 3 years ago

Posts: 79

Topic starter 22/02/2023 12:59 pm

I had my ASHP installer and a Joule engineer out to fettle a few things on my system this week. One recommendation that came up was to use auto-balancing TRV's around my rads.

I admit I'd never heard of them but, having looked on t'internet, there are claimed efficiency savings of c8% through their use. So, quick question, has anyone any experience of them on an ASHP system and are they as good as the claim?

2 x 12kW Samsung Gen6 ASHP, 5.6kW solar PV ground mounted c/w 10kWh Puredrive battery & Solis inverter.

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Derek M

(@derek-m)

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Joined: 5 years ago

Posts: 4427

22/02/2023 2:30 pm

Posted by: @dunlorn

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I had my ASHP installer and a Joule engineer out to fettle a few things on my system this week. One recommendation that came up was to use auto-balancing TRV's around my rads.

I admit I'd never heard of them but, having looked on t'internet, there are claimed efficiency savings of c8% through their use. So, quick question, has anyone any experience of them on an ASHP system and are they as good as the claim?

I not certain how such a valve would perform with an ASHP.

Reading the details for the Drayton version, it would appear that they were developed for gas and oil boilers, since the claimed improvement in efficiency would appear to be by reducing the RWT.

With a heat pump improved efficiency requires a reduction in the LWT, which I'm not certain such a valve would produce, particularly if the heat pump is operating in WC mode, since the LWT is set by the outside air temperature.

From the installers point of view they would appear to be a much easier 'fit and forget' alternative to correctly balancing the system using the lockshield valves.

The objective of balancing the system, is to try to match the heat energy output from the heat emitters in each room, to the heat loss of that room, whilst maintaining the desired temperature. As the LWT from a heat pump increases and decreases with variations in the outside temperature, the individual room temperatures should remain reasonably constant at the desired level.

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