A pressure-reducing valve acts as a buffer
A pressure-Reducing Valve acts as a buffer between the high water pressure supply and the system or appliance. The mains water pressure is reduced to the safe required level during flow or non flow conditions.
Also called water pressure reducing valves they are compact, inexpensive regulators that perform two functions: (1) they automatically reduce the high incoming water pressure from the water mains to provide a lower, more functional pressure for distribution in the home; (2) they "regulate" by maintaining a set pressure in the home usually 50 Ibs. thereby insuring that the home piping and appliances operate under a safe, more moderate, but satisfactory pressure.
What is water pressure?
When a fixture a tap, shower etc in a home is opened and water flows from it, it is because the water is "pushed." This "push" is pressure. The speed at which water flows from the opened outlet depends on the amount of "push" or pressure which exists at that time in the system. In short, the higher the pressure, the stronger the "push" behind the water.
What is wrong with high water pressure?
High water pressure, which is generally considered anything above 60 Ibs., has some advantage, such as in firefighting systems. However, in the home plumbing system, it can be damaging because water, with a strong "push" behind it, can erode or wear away many materials and cause leaking water heaters, banging water pipes, dripping taps, dishwasher and washing machine noise and breakdown, and leaking water pipes.
Therefore, water flowing at a rate in excess of that necessary to satisfy normal fixture or appliance demands becomes damaging, wasteful and reduces the life expectancy of equipment in the system. But, probably most important to the average homeowner is that it can add to the cost of water, energy and waste water bills.
