how to choose pressure reducing valves
Water distribution systems in most municipalities are spread out over great distances and over various elevations, which force the water purveyor to ensure they provide enough pressure to adequately serve all it's consumers, but this means that some will likely be connected to a supply that is above optimal operating pressure. Typically people are comfortable with water pressures in the 30-60psi range; hence, most areas have incorporated into their local plumbing code a provision requiring a pressure Reducing Valve if the supply pressure is above 80psi.
Optionally, pressure reducing valves may be used for water conservation purposes, as limiting the system pressure will reduce the gallons per minute(GPM) / litres per minute(LPM). Reducing your system pressure by as little as 10-20psi could save 1000's of gallons of water each year.
Choosing a pressure reducing valve
When determining the proper pressure Reducing Valve for your application a number of factors must be considered; such as:
- Size and type of pipe
- Maximum supply pressure(from the municipality)
- Maximum required system pressure
- Water demand in GPM / LPM
When selecting a PRV the pipe size alone is not necessarily the determining factor so if in doubt read the literature on the valve to see if it will meet your needs.
Pressure reducing valve installations
For most residential applications a single pressure Reducing Valve will suffice and is installed after the water meter on the system side. There are several connection types available: solder, threaded, pex and quick connect, but as these devices; like all things mechanical, will eventually require maintenance or replacement, an easily removed connection type is generally preferred.
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