| In order to ensure an even distribution of hot water to | | | | Open the lock shield valve and the control valve using |
| the radiators in a system you'll need to 'balance the | | | | an adjustable spanner closed small. This is the valve |
| system'. Often the radiators near to the boiler/pump | | | | you use to turn the radiator on and off. |
| would tend to be warmer than the radiators further | | | | Fit the radiator thermometers to the Inlet and Outlet |
| away, balancing the system will even out the flow of | | | | pipes of the radiator which is nearest to the boiler and |
| the hot water. | | | | switch the heating back on. |
| To do this we use the lockshield valve which is | | | | Close the lockshield valve on the first radiator to |
| normally hidden under a push on cover at one end of | | | | almost closed, as the temperature of the systems |
| the radiator. Adjusting these valves will regulate the | | | | comes up, gradually open up the valve until the |
| flow of water to the radiator. By partially closing the | | | | temperature difference between the two radiator |
| valves, flow to the radiators nearest the boiler can be | | | | thermometers is about 12°C (20°F) |
| more limited than to those further away. To reduce | | | | Move the thermometers to the next radiator away |
| the water temperature at the outlet pipe, the lock | | | | from the boiler. Close down the lockshield valve and |
| shield is closed; to increase the temperature the valve | | | | adjust it until the temperature difference increases to |
| is opened up. | | | | about 12°C (the temperature difference will |
| The idea is to get temperature drop across each | | | | probably start at less than 12 degrees as both valves |
| radiator to be about 12 °C (20 °F). The | | | | are fully open). |
| easiest way to measure the temperature drop across | | | | If you repeat this for all of them in order, you should |
| the radiators is to use a set of radiator thermometers. | | | | have a balanced system so that all radiators heat up |
| These clamp-on thermometers have springs which | | | | efficiently. |
| hook around the inlet and outlet pipes of a radiator. | | | | Once the radiators in a system have been balanced, |
| They can be found at any DIY story. | | | | the valves should not need to be adjusted again unless |
| Before you begin make sure the system is turned off | | | | the radiators or the pipes are changed. |
| and let the water cool down. | | | | |