Inside the valve, a control element, such as a diaphragm or a thermostatic element, responds to the incoming water’s temperature and pressure.

Ideally, mixing valves should be installed close to the point of use to minimise the length of mixed water in the pipes, reducing bacterial growth risk and ensuring rapid temperature response.

Digitalmixing valves

In this blog, we’ll explore the requirements and intricacies of mixing valves, including the differences between tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs).

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Thermostaticmixingvalve how it works

Yes, most mixing valves allow for post-installation temperature adjustments to suit user preferences or comply with updated safety standards.

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The set temperature should balance safety to prevent scalding (typically around 40°C or 105°F) and effectiveness in controlling bacteria while adhering to any specific building or health and safety regulations.

They blend hot and cold water to a safe temperature and maintain this temperature even when the incoming water temperatures fluctuate.

A TMV uses a thermostatic element to sense the outlet temperature and adjusts the mix automatically, providing an additional layer of safety.

The strategic placement of heat pumps and careful sizing of pipework were crucial in maintaining minimal pressure drops over an 18-metre distance."

This mechanism ensures a consistent output temperature, safeguarding against sudden fluctuations that could lead to scalding.

If the cold water supply to a TMV fails, the valve will shut off the flow of hot water as a fail-safe measure to prevent scalding.

To resolve this, mixing valves are used to reduce this hot water to a safer, warm temperature by blending it with cold water.

ThermostaticMixingValve 22mm

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They are mandated in various building codes, especially in settings where there is a risk of scalding, such as in hospitals, schools, and elderly care facilities.

In many regions, building codes mandate the installation of mixing valves in certain settings, such as residential homes and healthcare facilities, for safety reasons.

This ensures the water at the point of use is at a comfortable and safe temperature, balancing the need for Legionella control with the prevention of scalding.

TMVs are typically used in more demanding environments, like healthcare facilities, where maintaining a constant temperature is crucial.

This placement minimises the dead leg of mixed water, reducing the risk of bacterial growth and ensuring quick response to temperature changes.

ThermostaticMixingValve Amazon

CASE STUDIES Award-Winning Heating Design "Using h2x was pivotal, allowing for precise heat loss calculations, pipe sizing and flow rates for each room. This level of detail ensured that the heating load accurately matched each space's requirements, minimising energy waste and maximising comfort. The strategic placement of heat pumps and careful sizing of pipework were crucial in maintaining minimal pressure drops over an 18-metre distance." Read the full case study

Yes, by allowing water to be stored and circulated at high temperatures, inhibiting Legionella growth, and then reducing it to a safe temperature, mixing valves indirectly help reduce the risk of Legionnaires’ disease.

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Thermostaticmixingvalve temperature setting

It’s a specialised type of valve designed to precisely control water temperature, ensuring safety and comfort in plumbing systems.

"I would estimate over the length of this project, I have spent 50% less time designing than I would on our previous software.

"The software offers precision through detailed result outputs and advanced options for efficient pipe sizing, allowing heating engineers to optimise based on parameters like maximum velocity and pressure drop."

ThermostaticMixingValve 15mm

Step into the realm of plumbing valves and find out everything you need to know about mixing valves, which includes uncovering the distinctions between tempering valves and thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs).

The valve dynamically compensates for changes in water pressure and temperature, maintaining a stable and comfortable water temperature for the user, regardless of variations in the plumbing system.

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Water in plumbing systems is heated to high temperatures, often above 60°C (140°F), primarily to control the growth of Legionella bacteria, which thrive in warm but not hot environments.

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In conclusion, understanding the differences and appropriate applications of mixing valves, tempering valves, and TMVs is essential for any plumbing engineer.

This high temperature effectively inhibits the bacteria, reducing the risk of Legionnaires’ disease. However, such high temperatures pose a scalding risk to users.

This level of detail ensured that the heating load accurately matched each space's requirements, minimising energy waste and maximising comfort.

Mixing valves blend hot and cold water to deliver it at a safe and consistent temperature, helping prevent scalding while ensuring comfort.

ThermostaticMixingValve tap

Understanding these valves, which are essential components in modern plumbing systems, is crucial for ensuring safety, efficiency, and compliance with regulatory standards.

ThermostaticMixingvalve how to adjust

TMVs also have a fail-safe mechanism that shuts off the water flow if the cold water supply fails, preventing dangerously hot water from being delivered.

The user-friendly interface by h2x aids engineers in creating top-notch designs and improving productivity, ensuring compliance with industry standards.

This valve is particularly useful in preventing extreme temperature variations, making it an ideal choice for environments requiring precise temperature control.

The software automates flow rate, velocity, pressure, pump duty, plant size, and recirculation system calculations, freeing you from tedious math.

CASE STUDIES Salon Republic, USA "The quality of the designs saw significant improvement with the adoption of h2x." "The software offers precision through detailed result outputs and advanced options for efficient pipe sizing, allowing heating engineers to optimise based on parameters like maximum velocity and pressure drop." Read the full case study

The maintenance frequency depends on water quality and usage and typically includes regular checks for scale buildup and operational testing.

A TMV includes a thermostatic element that automatically adjusts the mix of water in response to temperature changes, maintaining a stable output and providing a fail-safe against scalding.