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Learning and Optimisation: Hive Radiator Valves learn and optimise their control when the heating is on. During summer or periods of infrequent heating, this learning process may take longer. The valves will resume learning whenever the heating is active. Once learning is complete, it can take 10-15 minutes for the valve to respond to commands from the app, as it opens the valve in a controlled manner to maximise battery life.
Reading Room Temperature: The radiator valve uses three temperature sensors and algorithms to estimate the room temperature, excluding heat from radiators and pipes. Ensure there is good airflow around the valve by avoiding obstructions like curtains or furniture, which can cause inaccurate readings.
Warm Radiators When Switched Off: If a radiator fitted with a Hive Radiator Valve remains warm even when switched off, it could indicate an issue with the valve body. The valve body controls water flow into the radiator. The Hive Radiator Valve adjusts the pin’s position on the valve body to control this flow. Pressing down on the pin engages it with the rubber diaphragm, forming a tight seal in the inlet pipe. This stops water flow and prevents the radiator from warming, maintaining the desired room temperature.
If you're encountering this issue, please try the following steps.
If the valve fails to seal correctly when other devices in the system request heat, warm water may flow into the radiator, leading to the unintentional heating of a room.
1. Remove the Hive Radiator Valve from your radiator valve body. Further instructions on how to do this can be found here.
2. The Valve
Once the Hive Thermostatic Radiator Valve is removed, the valve body on which it was mounted will be visible.
3. Check to ensure the valve pin moves freely
Utilise a coin to exert gentle downward pressure on the pin. It should glide smoothly without resistance until it contacts the rubber diaphragm within the radiator valve body.
Encountering resistance may indicate that the pin has become slightly sticky. Additionally, signs of oxidation on the valve body, such as the one illustrated below, may also contribute to the problem.
4. Cleaning the pin
If the pin is sticky, begin by wiping it with a soft, dry cloth. Next, apply an appropriate silicone lubricant and use a coin to rotate the pin, aiding the lubricant's penetration into the valve body. The pin should then move with greater ease.
5. Reinstall the Hive Radiator Valve
6. Check the orientation of you Hive Radiator Valve
Navigate to the Settings on the Radiator Valve screen to ensure that the valve is positioned correctly.
TIP Ensuring the correct orientation of your TRV is crucial for accurate ambient temperature estimation in the room.
The Hive Radiator valve will monitor performance continuously, and should it detect any anomalies, such as the radiator heating when it should not, you will receive a notification in the Hive app.