Temperature guage on manifold?

[Mr Blobby]

Our manifolds have no gauges. 

Which is a bit disappointing as I would be rather interested to see flow and return temps at the manifold.  I can't see any reason not to have temperature guages at the manifolds, am I missing something here?

 

In short, is it a good thing to install some guages at the manifold?  I would have thought it would be useful for commissioning, if nothing else.

[JohnMo]

You can easily add them, I just read the flow and return temps of the heat pump and or performance monitoring.

[Nickfromwales]

On 24/06/2026 at 15:53, Mr Blobby said:

Our manifolds have no gauges. 

Which is a bit disappointing as I would be rather interested to see flow and return temps at the manifold.  I can't see any reason not to have temperature guages at the manifolds, am I missing something here?

 

In short, is it a good thing to install some guages at the manifold?  I would have thought it would be useful for commissioning, if nothing else.

Post a pic to see if the manifold has 1/4” pickets to take some friction fit ones which just push in. 
 

Or get some of these:

 

https://www.bes.co.uk/clip-on-pipe-thermometer-63mm-22147/

 

 

[Conor]

I got stick on fish tank / brewing thermometers. Not the most precise but gives you a good idea of what's going on.

[Super_Paulie]

my manifold has something similar to these and i found/find them useful if not vital for the setup. But obviously to retrofit would be a draindown so maybe a clip on would be better.

https://www.theunderfloorheatingcompany.co.uk/product/1-isolation-valve-set-with-temperature-gauge/?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=22542092802&gbraid=0AAAAAD1Ow65gAx_VRbI9JILR8ijckwR5x&gclid=Cj0KCQjwr4jSBhCSARIsAOX1E-L8qu9NDV9_uDuhPT8w_ldVaAL7Rx7GMn_L-Z1GmznWEmXsUsFOWAoaAm9OEALw_wcB

 

[JohnMo]

16 hours ago, Nickfromwales said:

Or get some of these:

 

https://www.bes.co.uk/clip-on-pipe-thermometer-63mm-22147/

 

I bought a couple of these, the accuracy is pretty pants, was running around 4 degs dT. My return was reading higher than the flow, so consigned to the useless parts bin.

[Nickfromwales]

10 hours ago, JohnMo said:

I bought a couple of these, the accuracy is pretty pants, was running around 4 degs dT. My return was reading higher than the flow, so consigned to the useless parts bin.

Amazon do some cheap digital ones, but then you are replacing the batteries periodically.

 

The stock ones that come with the manifolds are pretty accurate, but not like an IR thermometer etc; #manageyourexpectations

[dpmiller]

you can generally calibrate cheapo dial thermometers easily enough to match them at your chosen temp. On some the dial can be rotated, you can pull the bezel, pull the needle and reposition on others, or you might even be lucky and find a wee setting screw...

[SimonD]

On 24/06/2026 at 15:53, Mr Blobby said:

I can't see any reason not to have temperature guages at the manifolds, am I missing something here?

It depends on whether you're looking to rely on them or not. The problem with temp gauges at the manifold is that the return one will show a combined return temp from all loops so you don't know if your individual loops are running at the correct dT. The flow one is okay, but personally I have a mixture of clip on k-type used with a digital thermometer and some bluetooth ones that provide datalogging back to a specific app - at least for commissioning and maintenance use - so each loop can be properly balanced.

[Mr Blobby]

3 minutes ago, SimonD said:

temp gauges at the manifold is that the return one will show a combined return temp from all loops so you don't know if your individual loops are running at the correct dT

My thoughts exactly

 

1 minute ago, SimonD said:

I have a mixture of clip on k-type used with a digital thermometer and some bluetooth ones that provide datalogging back to a specific app

 

Interesting.  Do you leave these permanently in place, or just for commissioning?  Do they clip on the UFH pipes below the manifold?  Are they accurate enough, and do you have any links to products please.