Easy to fit TRVs help to save on energy bills

The Ecocal TRV range from Altecnic has been designed to help homeowners to control room temperatures, improve comfort levels and reduce their heating costs.

An Ecofys-Institute study revealed that replacing a manual radiator valve with a TRV can achieve energy efficiency improvements as high as 13-19%, meaning that it would typically take just two years to gain a return on investment for the average cost of a TRV.

Available in 8, 10 and 15mm versions, the Ecocal TRVs have been manufactured for both retrofit and new installations. For ease of installation they are designed with a serrated sliding tailpiece to avoid the need for any alterations to pipework.

The models have a reversible body for either vertical or horizontal fit and are suitable for use on flow or return pipework, providing the installer with further flexibility. Thanks to their positive off position, they even allow for radiators to be removed without needing to be drained.

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EC motor technology makes the difference

Because older pumps are less efficient, Wilo is encouraging installers who are fixing or upgrading heating systems to not install like-for-like fixed speed pumps, and instead seek higher efficiency models, such as those in its Yonos Pico range.

As an example, Wilo says based on a cost of 34p per kWh for electricity, and the heating being on 24 hours a day, a fixed speed 100W pump could cost 82p to run. In comparison, a modern pump with an electronically commutated (EC) motor works from as low as 4W to a maximum of 40W, meaning a 60% reduction in electricity usage, and bringing running costs down to approximately 33p per day. If the pump operates at a lower speed, these costs can be reduced even further, by as much as 80%.

Andy Thompson, national sales manager for plumbing and heating at Wilo UK, says: “There are many high efficiency heating circulator pumps available on the market now, like those from our Yonos Pico range. These typically offer up to 80% better performance in terms of energy efficiency owing to EC motor technology, and smart features like working only on demand.”

The Yonos Pico line has been designed with a small footprint to fit into tight spaces, with toolfree wiring for simple and fast connection. The range also uses features like pictograms to make the commissioning stage simpler and quicker.

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