Pick the right radiator valves and controls in a few clicks
Central heating, electric or dual fuel: tell us how your radiator is heated and connected, and the kit builder shows only the valves, thermostatic heads, elements and controls that fit. Add them to your basket in one go.
Wet, electric or dual fuel
The kit you need depends on how the radiator makes its heat. Choose the type that matches yours in the builder below.
Central heating (wet)
Hot water from a boiler or heat pump flows through the radiator. You need a valve at each end. Add thermostatic or smart heads for room-by-room control.
Electric
The radiator heats itself from the mains, either with a built-in element or a wired-in heater. You need a thermostat or switch rated for its power.
Dual fuel
A towel rail or radiator on your central heating that also takes an electric element, so it can be warm in summer. You need valves, an element and a controller.
Radiator valve and control kit builder
Answer the questions in order. Your kit builds on the right and updates as you go. Prices and stock refresh live from our store.
Radiator valve and control guide
Angled, straight or corner: which valve shape?
The shape is set by where the pipework meets the radiator:
- Angled: the pipe rises from the floor and the radiator has a connection on its side.
- Straight: the pipe comes out of the wall level with a side connection, so it runs straight in.
- Corner: the pipe comes from the wall to a connection on the bottom of the radiator, common on towel rails and vertical designer radiators.
Designer radiators list their valve options on the product page (for example Straight, Angled and Corner), so check there before you order.
Manual valves, TRVs and smart heads compared
| Type | How it works | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Manual valve | Turn it on or off by hand. No temperature control. | Towel rails, rooms you want to isolate, dual fuel rails. |
| Thermostatic (TRV) | A numbered dial senses the room and opens or closes the valve. | Most rooms, with no batteries or apps. |
| Smart head | Battery powered, scheduled by an app or hub, often per room. | Room-by-room schedules and remote control. |
Will my existing valves take a new head?
Most UK valves take a head with an M30 × 1.5 thread. Some, such as Myson valves, use M28 and need an adapter, and older Danfoss RA valves take a different fitting. Remove the old head and measure the threaded collar: about 30 mm is M30. The builder adds the right adapter or points you to a head that includes one.
Where to put TRVs, and when you need a bypass
A TRV only controls the radiator it is fitted to, not the boiler. Keep one room, usually the hall or living room, with a room thermostat and no TRV so the boiler always has a reference point. If most radiators have TRVs, ask your heating engineer whether an automatic bypass valve is needed. The builder offers two as optional extras.
Electric radiator types
- Thermal fluid-filled: a conductive fluid heats evenly and cools slowly, good for continuous heating.
- Dry thermal: metal elements warm up quickly and respond fast, good for on-demand heat.
- Ceramic or clay core: a dense core stores heat and releases it over a longer period.
Look for precise thermostats, programmable timers or smart controls, and check the radiator’s wattage before choosing an external controller.
Radiator valve and control FAQs
Which radiator valve do I need: angled, straight or corner?
Angled valves suit pipework rising from the floor to a side connection. Straight valves suit pipework coming out of the wall level with a side connection. Corner valves suit pipework from the wall to a connection on the bottom of the radiator, as on many towel rails and vertical designer radiators.
What is the difference between a TRV and a lockshield valve?
A TRV has a thermostatic head that senses the room temperature and controls the flow of hot water. A lockshield valve sits on the other end of the radiator. It is set once to balance the flow, and it also lets you isolate the radiator. Most TRV packs include both.
Will a smart radiator thermostat fit my existing valves?
Most smart heads fit the common M30 × 1.5 thread. Older M28 valves need an adapter and Danfoss RA valves need an RA adapter. Smart heads also need their own hub or controller, apart from standalone models such as the Radbot 1.
Do I need a TRV on every radiator?
No. A TRV only controls its own radiator, so keep one room, usually the hall or living room, with a room thermostat and no TRV. If most radiators have TRVs, an automatic bypass valve may be needed, so check with your heating engineer.
What is a dual fuel radiator?
A dual fuel radiator or towel rail is connected to your central heating and also has an electric element, so it can be heated on its own when the heating is off. Close both radiator valves before running the element, and only switch it on when the radiator is full of water.
Which thermostat can control an electric radiator?
Pick one rated for the radiator’s load. Divide the wattage by 230 to get the current in amps. A 16A control handles up to about 3.6 kW. Fixed electrical connections should be made by a qualified electrician.
Can one thermostat control a towel rail and underfloor heating?
Yes. The ThermoSphere Dual Control Thermostat has a 16A channel for underfloor heating and a 5A channel for a towel rail, so it suits a bathroom with both. The 5A channel handles roughly 1.15 kW.
Can I add Drayton Wiser control to an electric radiator?
Yes. The Wiser Electrical Heat Switch is a 16A smart switch for electric radiators and towel rails. It works with a Wiser hub, and the Non-relay Smart Home Hub suits homes with no boiler to control.
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Last reviewed: November 2026. Prices and stock update live from our store. Check each product page for full specifications, and have fixed electrical work carried out by a qualified electrician.