Radiator covers and Tado thermostats - big problem with access!

Emma465

Several of my thermostats have batteries that need changed (Have only had them a year :-/). I have radiator covers on all of them and it poses a bit of an issue.

This is because there isn’t room to hold the base of the unit in order to detach the main body of the thermostat. Ie. They don’t come out far enough from the cover. This means the radiator covers need to be unscrewed and taken off which is a heavy job which I’m unable to do alone. Is there any adapter that can be used to bring the ‘pipe work’ further out so it can be reached without having to resort to taking the covers off? I might have to go back to the old ones as thus just isn’t practical. Frustrating!

(I can’t attach photos which might explain it better).

Thank you in advance.

Manpoole1972

I'm not a plumber. I'm also not stupid. I had a look into your problem out of curiosity. is there a product on the market which can extend the radiator valve. I'm afraid the answer is no... However there are extension fittings that will enable you to extend the pipework connected to the radiator. this should help you move the valves outside of your radiator covers. as I sit looking at my own radiator valves the extension fittings would convert 5he valve from a vertical to horizontal fitting. I. this instance I would need to change the installation settings for the valve . The extension fittings are not expensive and come in preset lengths. the longest I have found so far is 60mm.

davidlyall

I'm sure a plumber could extend the pipework. The radiator cover is potentially helping to shorten the life of your thermostat batteries as they may more material to transmit through

Never really understood the point of radiator covers. To me, they look worse than radiators!

Emma465

Thanks Manpoole1972 and Davidlyall. You’ve been helpful. If I have a plumber in the house I’ll definitely ask them about extending the pipework.

If I can’t find a solution I’ll probably go back to the traditional thermostats as I don’t think the benefit outweighs the hassle. I’ve got large radiators so I definitely prefer the radiator covers over not having them. Saying that it isn’t on all of them - on some, the pipework comes our further. I just wish I had known this before. I don’t think I will be only person to come across this issue.

Thanks again!