I'm no plumber but my guess is it's a tempering valve for the hot water
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I have the same thing at my house and it is a constant hot water control. This Mixes the hot water from your water heater and also the cold water so as the mixed water is not too hot to scold ones self with the water being too hot. The water is hot enough for a shower /bath or the washing up of your dishes ??
It's now a safety thing that is fitted to new homes fitted with instant gas hot water, I don't know what they do for the modern storage or electric water heaters for basic temp control. Older electric units have a temp thermostat and the same would have been for gas storage, newer systems a plumber would have a better idear.
Thanks Guys, that is what I thought it was BUT the water temp is the same in the kitchen as in the ensuit. Time to see what the plumber, who installed it when the house was built 4 years ago, has to say. In my opinion the kitchen and laundry water are not really hot enough, 48 degrees.
It is possible to prise the plastic top off the valve and turn the 3 sided knob with a pair of long nosed pliers or similar - experiment to find your ideal temperature.....that's exactly what the plumber will do plus he'll charge you at least a brick for the service.....of course I'm not suggesting you do this but it's just possible I have.
Don't know where you are. but by law. (In Queensland) they are set at 48/49 MAX.
in case of kids using the hot tap.
That tempering valve and others can reset to what you want.
Mine I set at 53deg.
How.
Nearest hot tap to tank/tampering valve.
Turn on. Hold a thermometer (I used a freezer one) under water flow and turn till it reaches, and holds the temp you want.
Put orange cover back over valve tap and forget.
There should be a key for triangle screw in bag with instructions.
PS.
Once water flowing, unless you have looooong pipe length outside and Southern winters. It will be withing 1-2 deg all over house.
Better builders install 2 tempering valves. One to the bathrooms so as not to be scalded by the hot water and another to the kitchen/laundry, set at a higher temperature.
valiant81 wrote:1.. I have the same thing at my house and it is a constant hot water control. This Mixes the hot water from your water heater and also the cold water so as the mixed water is not too hot to scold ones self with the water being too hot.
2.. It's now a safety thing that is fitted to new homes fitted with instant gas hot water,
3.. I don't know what they do for the modern storage or electric water heaters for basic temp control. Older electric units have a temp thermostat and the same would have been for gas storage,
1.. As Woody said, it is a tempering valve.
2.. I'm not sure of the current situation but I can't see it has changed. Tempering valves were introduced into the Australian building code last century. All hot water supplied to bath rooms has to pass through one of these if you are using a storage hot water system. The kitchen and laundry can be supplied with hot water straight from the storage cylinder.
3.. Storage systems should operate at over 60 degrees celsius to prevent the growth of things like Legionella bacteria. A few years back there were several deaths caused by hospitals operating their hot water systems at too low a temperature.
Fixed temperature instant hot water systems must be operated at the same temperature as the tempering valves. Those with remote temperature controlls can supply hot water to kitchens and laundries at higher temperatures.
Our house was built 4 years ago and mother inlaw's next door last year. She has solar with gas and storage tank. Her temps are set to 60 in the kitchen/laundry and 50 in the ensuite/bathroom.
Our gas instantaneous is running at the 48. Took the orange cap off and can see where it can be adjusted BUT decided to send text to installer as we have a whine in the central heating they installed as well.
Thanks everyone for your thoughts.
Aussie Paul.
p.s. What is this gadget, in the 3rd pic, at the water meter?
Rough guess but looks like a pressure reducing valve or a one way valve that's been "modified/repaired" by someone other than the manufacturer....most probably a one way valve. The stainless steel bolt and nut on the top definitely looks like something I'd bodgy up.
