In HVAC, as in life, it's often the little things which make the most difference.

In the systems which heat and cool our homes, valves are these little things.

The opening and closing of valves help redirect water in a hydronic boiler system or domestic hot water heater to ensure efficient operation and optimum safety.

Thermostatic Mixing Valves
Take, for example, the thermostatic mixing valve. The thermostatic mixing valve is responsible for introducing cold water into hot water (or vice versa) to keep temperature levels even. This type of valve is integral to the success of many domestic hot water heaters.

To prevent the stagnant water stored in a hot water tank from becoming a haven for bacteria such as Legionella, these appliances heat the water to 140 degrees Fahrenheit, beyond what is considered safe temperatures for humans.

When that water is then needed to fill a bathtub, it first travels through a thermostatic mixing valve which introduces a measure of cold water to prevent against scalding and burns. The thermostatic valve also prevents against spikes and dips in temperature.

The Danfoss thermostatic mixing valve offers a compact size and variability to fit any domestic hot water system. When hot water temperature rises 18 degrees Fahrenheit above the set temperature point, the Danfoss 30MR thermostatic mixing valve will reduce hot water flow to 0.5 gallons per minute to ensure safety. Additionally, if temperatures spike by 36 degrees Fahrenheit, the 30MR will shut off hot water completely.

The Caleffi thermostatic mixing valve offers much the same variety of protections. The MixingCal 3-way mixing valve, for example, is a T-shape valve with inlets for both hot and cold water. Hot and cold water enter at the top of the T and, once mixed, flows out the bottom. The Caleffi MixingCal works at temperatures up to 180 degrees Fahrenheit and at pressures up to 150 psi.

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Shut-Off Valves
The shut-off valve is another of the key components which ensure the smooth operation of a hydronic appliance. These valves can act as fail-safes in case of critical appliance failure.

Such an emergency shut-off valve, once tripped, quickly halts the flow of water and emits an electrical signal which indicates a failure in the system. Once the failure is addressed, the valve can then be manually opened and the system restored.

Other shut-off valves are matters of aesthetics and convenience. The Runtal angle shut-off valve, for example, allows a homeowner to isolate a single radiator without affecting the overall boiler system.

The advantages to such a shut-off valve are many. If there is a wall-mounted radiator, such as the type which often doubles as a towel/clothes hanger, connecting it to the boiler system via an angled shut off valve provides a clean, finished aesthetic and allows greater control over function.

If a radiator must be removed for any reason, the homeowner can simply engage the shut off-valve and disconnect, rather than shutting down the entire home's system.

For floor mounted radiators, a Runtal straight shut-off valve provides the same service. Because these valves are often coupled to modern designer radiators, Runtal makes them available in a polished chrome finish. The use of polished chrome makes sure the shut-off valve is both functional as well as part of the surrounding room décor.

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Feed Valves
Another of the valves vital to the operation of a hydronic system is the family known as feed valves. As their name suggests, feed valves monitor and maintain the amount of water and air within a hydronic boiler, feeding in fresh water as necessary. Feed valves are also often referred to as fill valves.

The Caleffi AutoFill valve comes in two configurations: the standard AutoFill and the AutoFill Combo. The standard AutoFill valve is a pre-adjustable filling valve with a visual indicator to show system pressure. The AutoFill can handle inlet pressures of up to 230 psi and temperatures up to 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

An upgrade to the AutoFill Combo also includes a backflow preventer in the AutoFill feed valve. This way, the system remains protected from back pressure and water hammer should the AutoFill engage. Both models of the Caleffi AutoFill feed valve come standard with a manual shut-off feature.

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Taco Reducing Valve
The Taco reducing valve boasts an ingenious cartridge design. All mechanisms which allow the valve to reduce pressure in a hydronic system are contained in a removable cartridge. Should the Taco reducing valve need service, instead of the hassle involved in removing the entire valve, only the cartridge need be taken out. The unit also features a pressure-balanced diaphragm which ensures stability of outbound pressure even against rapid fluctuations in inlet pressure.



View & Shop the Taco Fast Fill Reducing Valve

Once you understand the purpose of these valves, you can clearly see why properly functioning valves are necessary in any hydronic system. To maintain safe temperatures and pressures, as well as achieving homeostasis and increasing overall efficiency, valves are the components which must not be overlooked. If you'd like help identifying the valves that can upgrade the performance of your hydronic system, give us a call or drop us a line.