Thermostatic Radiator Valves (TRVs) have become a hit in the UK in recent years. All central heating radiators installed since 2002 must be fitted with a TRV, following the amendment to the Building Regulations that was issued that year. The 'Conservation of Fuel and Power in Dwellings' amendment to the Building Regulation calls for installation of TRVs on all newly installed domestic radiators. The market for TRV has subsequently shot up, from 3.7 million TRVs sold in 1995 to around 7.5 million TRVs sold in 2003. At recent property development rates of around 160,000 new housing starts annually, the market is likely to continue its growth.

Partly as a result of the Kyoto convention, the government's view on climate change has been impressive as it has set itself a aggressive target for reducing the CO2 emissions levels dramatically over the coming years. Along with the Kyoto protocol, the government intends to lead the way on a global level in terms of reducing the UK's impact on the environment. Although the Kyoto protocol sets a target of 12.5% reduction in the emissions of certain greenhouse gases (based on 1990 levels), the UK government has gone further and set a target of 20%. There is another UK-only long term target set by the government. This target is setting an even more challenging level of CO2 reduction of 60% by 2050.

The government calls on central heating engineers to install systems that are environmentally friendly to reduce the impact of domestic heating on the nation's carbon emissions. Around a quarter of the UK's carbon emissions can be attributed to domestic energy (approximately 535 million tonnes of CO2), of which around 75% is a result of heating the home and domestic hot water.

TRVs help reduce wasted heat by allowing the user to set the desired temperature in each room individually according to their preferences. This way the user can minimize and virtually eliminate energy wastage by heating unused rooms, or providing more heat than is necessary. TRVs have moved forward recently and are now stylish and very effective. Chrome finish designs are very popular now and their fashionable appearance makes them not only useful (by allowing you to set specific temperature in each room) but also aesthetical and classy.

Recent models have a liquid fill interior which offers high performance compared to the previous wax-filled thermostatic radiator valve models. The liquid provides higher sensitivity for fast reaction to temperature changes. This capacity ensures that heating requirements are adjusted quickly and effectively to meet changes in the heating circumstances.

Although it is required by law, installing a TRV is also beneficial financially. Professionals in the industry estimate that a typical household can reduce their heating bills by up to 17 per cent when installing a TRV. This is an important side benefit that has to be added to the nicer ambient temperature around the house that the TRVs maintain as well as a lower impact on the environment.

Towel warmers have also benefited as a side effect from the phenomenal growth in TRV take up. From a niche market, the heated towel rail market has ballooned into a 33 million industry in the UK, with latest estimates putting the number of units sold this year at around 1 million.