Pressure Reducing Valve Installation & Repair - "PRV"

Pressure Reducing Valve Installation & Repair

Pressure Reducing Valves - How They Work and Why They are Needed

Water is supplied to buildings at high pressure, which is necessary to overcome the loss of pressure as the water is pushed up to different floors. But this high pressure may not be suitable for domestic plumbing systems. The main purpose of using water pressure reducing valves is to control the difference between system pressure and supply pressure.

How do pressure reducing valves operate?

A pressure reducing valve may either be pilot operated or direct acting. Valves used in larger pipes are often cast from ductile iron, while those used in smaller pipes are usually made from brass. Water coming from the mains is constricted in the body of the valve. The inner chamber of the valve consists of spring loaded disc and diaphragm, which is adjustable. The water now passes though this chamber. Such a structure enables the valve to maintain a constant flow.

The selection of water pressure reducing valves should be based on the range of pressure and flow, rather than the size of the pipe in which it is to be installed. Selection of an appropriate valve is essential to avoid premature failure or noisy operation. It is best to consult an expert for this purpose.

Advantages of pressure reducing valves

Almost half the volume of water flows in a system at 50psi pressure compared to one at 150psi pressure. The excess water flowing through systems at higher pressure is often wasted. More amount of water in the system also means that more energy is required to heat it. Calculations indicate that the use of pressure reducing valves can bring down the cost of domestic water heating by as much as thirty percent. Lower waste water treatment load is also an advantage, not only for your bottom line, but also for the environment. At many places, water meter reading is used as a basis to decide sewer usage fees.

Achieving high water pressure using pumps is necessary to supply water for tall buildings and fire fighting. The water mains pressure is often more than 200psi. Such high pressure can damage domestic fixtures, rupture pipes and even cause injury. A majority of plumbing codes, where pressure in water supply mains exceeds 80psi, require that domestic systems be installed with pressure reducing valves. Commercial establishments as well as homeowners are charged high rates for the consumption of water as well as water waste disposal. Installing pressure reducing valves means water, energy as well as monetary savings.