Thursday, September 17, 2009

What is a Solar Water Tempering Valve?

Tempering ValveTempering Valve
AKA: mixing valve

On a sunny day, the water in your collectors can reach scalding temperatures. A tempering valve can save you from a 160°F (70°C) shower. Ouch! The tempering valve goes at the very end of the chain, right after the backup water and before the faucet. If the water coming out of the backup heater is too hot, the tempering valve opens to mix cold water back in and prevent scalding. The temperature of the hot water can be set by the user on most valves. For instance, a popular valve allows a temperature setting between 120°F and 160°F (49°C-71°C).

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