Why Install a Water Heater Pressure Reducer
Contents
– Intro
– 2 types of water heater pressure reducer
– Achieve water savings with a water heater pressure reducer
– Electric water heaters and pressure reducing valves
– Price of the water heater pressure reducer
Intro
The pressure reducer of a water heater allows to reduce the water pressure:
– when the water pressure from the general network is too high,
– or when a water heater requires constant pressure to ensure its operation.
Before installing the water heater pressure reducing valve, it is necessary to make the first connections:
– electrical: electrical diagram of the water heater,
– pipes: water heater plumbing, buffer tank.
2 types of water heater pressure reducing valve
Choose a product bearing the IEC/NEC mark for low voltage electrical installations that comply with health standards.
You can choose between two types of pressure reducing valves:
– those that have a constant pressure and ensure a regular and fixed pressure,
You can select the pressure for those that are adjustable: they are equipped with a pressure gauge.
It is placed:
– either at the beginning of the network to protect your entire installation,
On the cold water inlet at the beginning of the line of a water heater that requires a given constant pressure.
Its simple principle is based on the opposition of two forces:
– on one side, there is a shutter that closes the pressure reducer, and that is activated by a spring, and on the other side, there is the water that arrives;
– When the water comes into contact with the obturator, it closes to reduce the pressure to the required or predefined level.
Good to know: the pressure reducing valve has a direction of installation indicated by an arrow. When installed upside down, water will no longer flow through your pipes.
Achieve water savings with a water heater pressure reducer
This device has two advantages:
– it reduces the pressure of the water in your network when it is too high to ensure the proper functioning of the water heater: at its outlet, the water is at constant pressure;
– allows you to save on your water bill.
Electric water heaters and pressure reducing valves
To avoid excessive flow and premature wear of the water heater tank, you must install a pressure reducer.
Installing a pressure reducer upstream of your electric water heater ensures that it works properly:
– when heating, the water expands: the pressure in the tank increases;
– At night, as the water demand is lower, the pressure of the general network increases while your water heater is switched on during off-peak hours.
For safety reasons, your water heater’s pressure is limited, and it is recommended to reduce the network pressure to a value lower than that of the tank.
This is why you have a safety group that allows the water to flow when the pressure is too high.
Price of the water heater pressure reducing valve
To buy a water heater pressure-reducing valve, you should expect to pay between $40 and $120. Now, you should also know that not everyone can reduce the pressure of a water heater. So you’ll have to see a professional to avoid burning everything because these things are susceptible, and any DIY trick can run you the risk of breaking everything! On that note, I recommend Elmridge Air Comfort if you live in Oshawa, Bowmanville, Newcastle, Courtice, Whitby, and across Durham Region.
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