Cast Iron Radiator Question - TRV on return side?

[Nasty Ash Beech]

I am looking into getting some TRVs for some CI rads that are early in the run.

My rads have hot entering on the top right and return on the bottom left that has a manual control valve. Pic attached.

I have read that TRVs should be on the hot side, is this the case?

Should I get the manual valves replaced with TRVs or get the TRVs put on the hot side?

 

[Bad LP]

That thing is uugge!! What brand is it? Looks very close to the units I just refinished.

 

[salecker]

My TRV's are on the hot side,plumbed hot in top cold out bottom.
They work great,set and forget.

 

[Nasty Ash Beech]

That thing is uugge!! What brand is it? Looks very close to the units I just refinished.

Yes it is a beast, and there is another one just like it on the other side of the living room... as well as a wood insert haha which is why I'd like to get TRVs put on these. The brand is Corto.

 

[Bad LP]

Mine are American Radiator. Just had them media blasted and primed. Then I primed them again and have them painted in a copper metallic.

My buddy said I should have had them powder coated. LOL

 

[Medic21]

I am looking into getting some TRVs for some CI rads that are early in the run. My rads have hot entering on the top right and return on the bottom left that has a manual control valve. Pic attached. I have read that TRVs should be on the hot side, is this the case? Should I get the manual valves replaced with TRVs or get the TRVs put on the hot side? View attachment 280848

 

[clancey]

I wanted old radiators like that but the old ones were a lot of money..I have hot water heat along my bottom trim more modern and it looks like electric heat but its hot water heat..I have one in each room..As a kid I remember those old things and they put heat that felt so fine coming out--brought me back many years..thanks..Hope you can fix it...clancey

 

[salecker]

I have all cast iron rads in my house.
Not sure who made them,they were found in a pile in the bush behind an abandoned Highway lodge.
I flushed them with an acid solution,rinsed,filled with water,then pressure tested to 80PSI
Had zero issues.At -40C they are like having a wood stove in each room.

 

[Nasty Ash Beech]

Yea I love the heat from CI rads. There are 19 of them in my house, most are half the size of the one in the pic. I wish there were more zones but overall its a good working setup. TRVs seem like the answer from what I'm hearing/reading. Set it and forget it.

 

[Bad LP]

^^^ You guys running steam or water? ^^^

I'll be using boiler water.

 

[Nasty Ash Beech]

^^^ You guys running steam or water? ^^^

I'll be using boiler water.

Water. Pretty sure it was steam here back in the day

 

[salecker]

Water,actually glycol for the underground lines.
If anything happens to the heat,at least the heating system will be ready for a new source.