Hot Water Tempering Valve | Maintenance & Servicing
WHAT IS A HOT WATER TEMPERING VALVE?
A tempering valve is a device that safely mixes the hot water from the hot water system with cold water to ensure constant, safe water is delivered to the tap fixtures in the home such as your shower, bath & vanities. A tempering valve is to prevent scalding, ensuring that the delivery of the taps in the home is tempered water to less than 50 degrees.
Some homes will have every tap tempered, while others are plumbed separately so the kitchen is not tempered.
ARE THERE DIFFERENT KINDS OF TEMPERING VALVES?
Yes, there are different kinds of tempering valves. Choosing the right tempering valve will depend on the type and size of your system. There are different brands of tempering Valves with different coloured caps.
This is a guide only, as some brands will vary -
Black Cap Tempering Valve – Is the recommended tempering valve for large storage hot water systems
Blue Cap Tempering Valve - Recommended for electric water heaters
Orange Cap Tempering Valve – Is a high performance valve, recommended for heat pump systems and solar hot water systems
Green Cap Tempering Valve - Recommended for gas hot water systems
Yellow Cap Tempering Valve - Recommended for electric & gas hot water systems.
Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting will be able to help you select the correct tempering valve for your hot water system.
DO I NEED A TEMPERING VALVE ON MY HOT WATER SYSTEM?
The easy answer is absolutely Yes. Tempering valves are Mandatory in every state of Australia.
The Australian Government makes it very clear that every home, office & commercial complex must comply with the Australian Standards (As3500). This is to ensure that we are all safe & there is minimal risk of burning or scalding.
When your plumber installs a tempering valve, they are to submit a Form 4 to QBCC stating that the job has been completed to the Plumbing Code of Australia by a licensed plumber.
There are financial penalties & possible licence cancellations if a tempering valve is not installed.
The only way to keep you safe from bacteria such as legionnaires which can grow in a hot water system is to keep the temperature greater than 62 degrees, but the delivery of the hot water to your tap must be less than 50 degrees.
The only way to do this, is to install a tempering device that mixes the cold water with the hot water called a tempering valve.
A tempering valve must be installed to:
All new homes
Moving a hot water system to another property.
Renovations to a home, even if the hot water was not replaced.
The only time a tempering valve is not installed to a hot water system, is when the existing hot water system is being repaired (not replacement). The tempering valve regulations have been around for many years, so it is rare to have a hot water system with no tempering valve.
If you are a landlord & have a rental property, it is strongly recommended that your home has a tempering valve installed, even if your hot water tank is old, this will ensure the tenants safety.
Contact Moyle Plumbing & Gasfitting on 07 3807 7327 for more information on tempering valves & their installation.
Proudly plumbing for our local community since 1983.
If you have a hot water emergency, like Hot Water Not Working, call us on our emergency phone number 0447671 095.
Richard Moyle
Richard is the founder of Moyle Plumbing. He has been plumbing for his local community since 1983.
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CAN YOU ADJUST A TEMPERING VALVE?
The answer is Yes.
Adjusting a tempering valve
A tempering valve can be adjusted by setting the desired temperature with the adjuster on the tempering valve. If the hot water arriving at the tempering valve from the hot water system has a higher temperature than set, the valve allows enough cold water to mix with the hot to give the set temperature at the output.
The tempering valve should not be able to be set to deliver hot water higher than 50 degrees.
HOW LONG DOES A TEMPERING VALVE LAST FOR?
A tempering valve should last approximately five (5) years.
We have replaced them earlier & later than this.
A tempering valve has a warranty of 12 months.
WHAT HAPPEN WHEN A TEMPERING VALVE FAILS?
Tempering valves are like any other mechanical item & valves on your hot water system, they are prone to failure.
An indication that your tempering valve is failing is
loss of hot water at your taps
lack of hot water pressure
reduced hot water temperature
Why is it important and compulsory to have a Hot Water Tempering Valve?
Installing a tempering valve reduces the risk of burning. It is an anti scalding valve that mixes the hot water with cold water, so when you turn on the hot tap, the temperature is less than 50 degrees will not scald the user.
Babies, young children & the elderly are more prone to serious scalding by hot water. The higher the hot water temperature from the taps, the more likely the chance for these groups of people to be scalded as their reaction time is more delayed.
You must never turn down the hot water thermostat on your hot water tank as it is important that the hot water system is hot enough so it does not to harbour bacteria. These bacteria are called legionnaires & can cause serious illness & death.
Installing a tempering valve to deliver tempered water to the taps that will not scald is the only available option.
Tempering valves are required for all new buildings, bathrooms including en-suites, renovations, hot water system replacements, re-location of a hot water system and piping installation is carried out.
When your plumber installs a new tempering valve, we are required to submit a form 4 to local government & comply with the Plumbing Code of Australia for hot water system installations.
Contract Moyle Plumbing for more information on Tempering Valves. 0447 671 095
WHERE ARE HOT WATER TEMPERING VALVES LOCATED?
AS/NZS 3500.4—Plumbing and drainage, Part 4—Heated water services, requires that tempering valves shall be ‘readily accessible.’ The standard does not define readily accessible and as a consequence there is inconsistency in the interpretation and application of the most appropriate location for tempering valves.
Typically, the tempering valve would be located on the side of your hot water system. There should be a few different valves in this location.
If you cannot see the temping valve at the side of your hot water system, but you think you have the symptoms of a failing tempering valve failing, then it may be installed elsewhere.
Other places that you may locate a tempering valve installed can be in the ceiling space or under the vanity.
If you have difficulty locating your temping valve, we recommend you contact your plumber for advice.