The Need for Thermostatic Mixing Valves
It is increasingly common practice to store domestic hot water at temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F), and to circulate or distribute water at a temperature less than 48 °C (118 °F). Water above this temperature can cause scald injuries in a relatively short time. Many countries, states, or municipalities now require that the temperature of all domestic hot water delivered to fixtures in newly built and extensively refurbished dwellings to a maximum of 48 °C (118 °F). Installing thermostatic mixing valves can ensure that water is delivered at the required temperature despite any fluctuations in the temperature of either the hot or cold supply, thereby reducing the risk of scalding accidents. It also reduces hot water consumption from a supply that is maintained at a higher temperature. In Hawaii, if water is stored at 160 °F, and mixed down to 118 °F for domestic use, considering our ground water temperature of 72 °F, that means for every gallon of stored high temperature water (160 °F), we get 1.9 gallons of tempered water (118 °F)!
It is increasingly common practice to store domestic hot water at temperatures above 60 °C (140 °F), and to circulate or distribute water at a temperature less than 48 °C (118 °F). Water above this temperature can cause scald injuries in a relatively short time. Many countries, states, or municipalities now require that the temperature of all domestic hot water delivered to fixtures in newly built and extensively refurbished dwellings to a maximum of 48 °C (118 °F). Installing thermostatic mixing valves can ensure that water is delivered at the required temperature despite any fluctuations in the temperature of either the hot or cold supply, thereby reducing the risk of scalding accidents. It also reduces hot water consumption from a supply that is maintained at a higher temperature. In Hawaii, if water is stored at 160 °F, and mixed down to 118 °F for domestic use, considering our ground water temperature of 72 °F, that means for every gallon of stored high temperature water (160 °F), we get 1.9 gallons of tempered water (118 °F)!
The Basics of Tempering, Ratio and volume calculation
