Is Your Hot Water Too Hot? Understanding Tempering Valves and Safety
Hot water systems are generally set to store water at a higher temperature than is safe to come straight out of the tap, which is exactly what a tempering valve is designed to manage. If yours is missing, faulty or set incorrectly, it’s worth understanding what that means for your household.
Why Storage Temperature and Tap Temperature Differ
Water is stored hot, generally around 60°C, to prevent bacteria like legionella from growing inside the tank. A tempering valve blends that stored water with cold water before it reaches your bathroom taps, bringing it down to a safer temperature for everyday use.
The Risk of a Faulty Valve
Without a properly functioning tempering valve, water can reach the tap hot enough to cause a serious scald in seconds, which is a particular risk for young children and older adults.
Australian plumbing standards require a tempering valve on hot water outlets used for bathing in most homes, and they do wear out over time like any other plumbing component.
Checking Yours Is Working
If your hot water has started running noticeably hotter than usual, or you’re not sure whether a tempering valve was ever installed, it’s worth having it checked rather than adjusting the thermostat and hoping for the best.
We can inspect your tempering valve, confirm it’s compliant, and adjust or replace it if needed. Get in touch to arrange a check.