Tempering Valves on Gas Hot Water Systems play a very important role
A tempering valve mixes your hot and cold water to deliver water out of your hot tap at a constant temperature, reducing the risk of accidental scalding.
Tempering valves have a temperature sensitive element which adjusts the mix depending on the temperature of the incoming water flowing through the valve. The mechanism is a sliding valve that varies the ratio of hot and cold water that is allowed to pass. The valve is designed to maintain a constant outlet temperature.
Plumbers are required to make any adjustments to the valve.
To prevent bacteria growth, particularly legionnaires, hot water should be set at a minimum of 60°C in your hot water unit cylinder, and then regulated for your bathing outlets, through the tempering valve, to between 38°C – 50°C .
It’s so important to make sure that your hot water unit is set to the correct temperature.
A child can be severely scalded in as little as a second, when the water temperature is around 65°C, a temperature not uncommon in some Australian homes.
Our regulations state that the hot water service temperature must not exceed 50°C at outlets that are used for bathing. The recommended temperature setting for very young children is 37°C – 38°C.
Tomlinson Plumbing can assist you with the supply, installation, service and repair of all makes and models of hot water systems.
This is an article from our Hot Water Systems Geelong Series
