In a multi-unit building, heat generation is typically centralized. It can be provided by a gas boiler, a heat pump, a biomass heating system, or a district heating network.
However, heating needs vary depending on a room’s orientation, insulation, occupancy, and type. A south-facing bedroom, an office used all day, a hallway, or a temporarily vacant unit do not all require the same temperature.
Smart thermostatic heads allow you to set a specific temperature for each radiator. They adjust the hot water flow based on the room temperature and the schedules set in the connected system.
This functionality complements that of central thermostats. A smart thermostat can control the boiler or heat pump, while the thermostatic heads provide more precise regulation for each unit and each room.
This smart control system makes it possible to lower the temperature in unoccupied areas, prevent overheating, and adapt the heating to the building’s actual usage patterns.
Smart thermostatic radiator valves are primarily designed for buildings equipped with hot-water radiators. The system can be powered by a boiler, a heat pump, or a district heating network.
The material of the radiator is not the primary compatibility criterion. A cast iron, steel, or aluminum radiator can be fitted with a smart thermostatic head if its valve body has a suitable connection.
However, a hydraulic thermostatic head cannot be installed on an electric radiator, as it has neither a water circuit nor a valve that allows for flow modulation.
A radiator head also does not directly control underfloor heating. Underfloor heating typically relies on a manifold, actuators, and several room thermostats. In a single-family home, these devices can be connected to the same smart system, but their installation differs from that of hot-water radiators.
In a multi-unit building, the variety of equipment and units therefore requires a detailed assessment before ordering thermostatic heads.
The first step is to identify all the radiators involved. This audit helps determine the number of thermostatic heads needed, the required adapters, any access issues, and the estimated cost of the project.
Each radiator must be associated with a building, a floor, a unit, and a room. The technician also notes the valve brand, the type of valve body, and the shape of the connection.
It is recommended to take a photo of the existing valve head, followed by a photo of the valve body after it has been removed. These images make it easier to identify the valves and help prevent errors when placing an order.
Several points must be checked during the audit: the type of radiator, the compatibility of the valve body, the accessibility of the connected box, the space required for replacing the batteries, and the quality of the remote communication network.
The audit must also identify radiators located behind a curtain, under a shelf, or inside a radiator cover. These configurations can skew temperature readings and disrupt heating modulation.
A manual valve typically has a handle used to open or close the water flow. Its body is not always designed to accommodate a thermostatic head.
In this case, simply removing the handle is not enough. The valve body often needs to be replaced with a thermostatic valve. This procedure directly affects the hot water system and may require partially draining the system.
A thermostatic valve has a removable head and a central piston. The head presses against this piston to gradually open or close the valve and regulate the flow of water through the radiator.
The piston must be able to depress slightly and return on its own to its initial position. A stuck or seized mechanism must be repaired before installing the connected device.
This check is one of the key compatibility steps to be taken before equipping the various units in the building.
The mounting system is the primary criterion for compatibility between the connected thermostatic head and the radiator.
The M30 x 1.5 connection is common, but it is not universal. Some valves use a ring, a clip-on system, or a connection specific to their manufacturer.
Danfoss RA, RAV, or RAVL valves, in particular, may require an adapter. The technician must identify the exact part number of the valve body, measure its diameter, and examine the shape of the mounting system.
Danfoss’s official documentation for identifying a thermostatic head or valve can be consulted during this phase.
An adapter solely provides the mechanical connection between the head and the valve body. It does not alter the system pressure or the hydraulic modulation of the heating system.
Installing connected thermostatic heads does not correct existing defects in the system.
Before installation, the professional must check the pressure, water temperature, available flow rate, and radiator balancing. They must also determine whether the system is single-pipe or two-pipe.
In a poorly balanced system, some radiators may receive too much hot water while others remain underfed. Closing several valves simultaneously can alter the differential pressure and disrupt circulation.
The modulation of the gas boiler or heat pump must be consistent with the operation of the connected radiator valves and thermostats. The circulation pump and flow temperature must be able to adapt to variations in demand from the different units.
A radiator with scale buildup, a seized valve, or a clogged pipe must be addressed before installation. Energy efficiency depends as much on the condition of the piping system as on the connected system itself.
Before rolling out the installation on a large scale, it is recommended to equip a representative pilot zone.
This initial phase may involve several units, rooms, or offices. It allows for testing the various valve bodies, adapters, calibration, and the quality of wireless communications.
The pilot zone also serves to test remote monitoring. The manager must verify that each connected device transmits its information correctly and that a setpoint change is applied to the correct radiator.
When the sensor is placed too close to the radiator or in an enclosed space, the measured temperature may differ from the actual room temperature. A remote sensor can then improve modulation and control.
Finally, this phase allows for measuring the time required to install, identify, and configure each piece of equipment in a residence. This data facilitates pricing calculations and the organization of the entire installation project.
Installation begins by fully opening the old thermostat head. The technician then removes the ring, screw, or clip mechanism that secures it to the valve.
They check the piston’s movement, clean the valve body, and install the necessary adapter. The new smart thermostatic head is then secured without over-tightening.
After the batteries are inserted, the device typically initiates a calibration phase. The motor measures the piston’s stroke to identify the valve’s open and closed positions.
Each head must then be linked to the correct unit in the smart control platform. A clear inventory list can include the building, floor, unit, room, and radiator number.
This organization prevents settings from being applied to the wrong device. It also facilitates maintenance, battery checks, and remote temperature monitoring.
Once the thermostatic heads are installed, setpoints must be defined based on the actual use of the premises.
A residential building, a school, a hotel, and an office building do not follow the same daily rhythms. Schedules must therefore take into account occupancy times, closure periods, and the needs of each unit.
A “Comfort” setpoint can be applied during hours of use. An “Eco” setpoint reduces the temperature when the room is empty. The “Frost Protection” mode protects the system during a prolonged absence.
The central thermostat, room thermostats, and smart radiator valves must work in tandem. The central thermostat controls heat output, while each valve locally adjusts the radiator flow rate.
This smart control system prevents a single temperature from serving as the reference for the entire building. It improves heating modulation and allows for a more precise response to occupants’ needs.
The FLOW PRO smart thermostatic radiator valve is designed for multi-unit residential buildings, hotels, schools, hospitals, and commercial buildings.
It combines local control, built-in schedules, NFC configuration, and LoRaWAN communication. The facility manager can monitor the equipment remotely and integrate the heating system into a building management system.
FLOW PRO runs on batteries and does not require a power cable to be run to the radiator. Its schedules remain stored in the thermostat to maintain heating control when communication is temporarily unavailable.
The connected system allows for different operating modes and enables intelligent temperature modulation based on the usage patterns of each residence.
The FLOW CORE thermostatic head enables the gradual modernization of hot-water radiators with compatible valve bodies.
It combines local control, NFC configuration, built-in schedules, and centralized monitoring via LoRaWAN. This allows operators to adjust the heating remotely, either by unit or by room.
FLOW CORE operates on replaceable lithium batteries. Its battery life depends on the frequency of communications, the number of motor cycles, and operating conditions.
The solution is designed to improve temperature control, reduce energy consumption, and simplify energy management in multi-unit buildings.
The price depends on the number of radiators, the number of units, the variety of valves, and the preparatory work required.
Installation on an M30 x 1.5 valve in good condition is generally simpler than a project requiring the replacement of several manual valves.
The budget must include thermostatic heads, adapters, batteries, communication gateways, installation, configuration, and any integration with the building management system (BMS).
The cost of the audit, the pilot zone, and staff training must also be factored in. The price of the connected device represents only a portion of the total cost over its lifespan.
The durability of the housing, the quality of modulation, battery life, and ease of maintenance directly influence the project’s profitability.
After installation, the facility manager must compare energy consumption with previous periods, taking into account weather conditions, occupancy, and any work performed.
Smart control allows for reducing heating in unoccupied spaces and limiting overheating. An empty room, an unoccupied apartment, or a hallway can be set to a lower temperature than an office in use all day.
This adjustment can help achieve energy savings and reduce energy bills. However, results depend on insulation, system balancing, the generator’s performance, and the quality of the schedules.
ADEME recommends regulating and scheduling heating to ensure the right temperature in the right place at the right time.
The project acceptance process must include a check of the mounting, calibration, measured temperature, and communication of each thermostat head.
The facility manager must also verify that the setpoints correspond to the intended use of each room and that data is being transmitted correctly to the connected platform.
Maintenance can then be based on the information transmitted remotely. A loss of communication, low battery levels, or an abnormal temperature can be detected without manually checking each radiator.
Monitoring should focus on energy consumption, occupant comfort, system modulation, and changes in utility bills. These indicators allow for the gradual adjustment of thermostats, setpoints, and schedules for each unit.