Tempering Valves: Uses and Functions

08 May 2017

While it is important to store hot water at a high temperature to prevent bacteria, exposure to this water can cause scalding unless safeguards are installed in homes, medical facilities and other places where people wash their hands, shower or bath regularly. One method of preventing this issue that is highly popular is the installation of thermostatic or tempering valves to tightly control the water temperature to keep it below scalding. We explain further details about these valves in the information that follows.

Definition of Tempering Valves and How They Operate

The thermostatic valve combines cold and hot water in the proper proportions to keep the supply of hot water at a steady temperature. Since this type of valve contains an element that controls the temperature of the incoming water, it is easy to set the water temp at a comfortable, safe level. The mechanics of the valve mixes cold and hot as they enter the valve and then transfers it to the bathtub, sink or shower at the desirable temperature. A plumbing professional sets the temperature adjustment when he or she installs the unit. The flow capacity of this style of valve varies but can range from two to six gallons a minute, but check with the manufacturer or installer to learn the specific flow rate for your model. Maximum temperature setting to prevent scalding is 38-degrees C unless a plumber overrides the system, but in either case it will not exceed 50-degrees C.

Uses for Tempering Valves

Recommended uses for these valves include installation in such places as:

  • Homes
  • Hotels and motels
  • Retirement facilities
  • Nursing homes
  • Hospitals
  • Healthcare facilities
  • Other places where washing hands, bathing or showering take place

The Main Advantages of Installing a Tempering Valve

  • Easy to use
  • Maintains a safe water temperature to prevent scalding
  • Self-regulating within two-degrees C plus or minus of the desirable temperature
  • Certain models install on the outer part of the wall with no need for plumbing alterations
  • A cost-effective investment since a tempering valve reduces the usage of hot water

For additional information about tempering valves and their uses and functions, contact Mixer Mate. Our products turn a hard-to-control tap into ones that you can operate with a single-lever mixer tap. No wall removal is necessary and we can even attach our units to a Mattsson thermostatic shower when temperature control is your goal. We guarantee that all of our parts, workmanship and service will be high quality with each project that we perform for you.

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