Although you might not recognize the name for this piece of equipment, if you’ve ever washed your hands or taken a warm bath or warm shower, you’ve used a thermostatic mixing valve before. There’s even a chance there was a Bradley thermostatic mixing valve behind the works and you didn’t even know it.
What Is a Thermostatic Mixing Valve?
Nearly any setting with a water heater has a place for thermostatic mixing valves, and they are common in residences, schools, hospitals, and other places of public accommodation. These are pieces of equipment that help to maintain a constant temperature for flowing water. That is, they allow for mixing of water in order to keep it thermostatic – at one temperature.
These valves are required in order to enable faucets or showers to run water at a relatively precise temperature. They regulate and control the flow of water from both the hot and cold pipes in order to keep the temperature at a consistent level.
Most mechanical thermostatic mixing valves have four main components: the thermostatic element, a piston, a return spring, and a temperature adjuster.
The thermostatic elements are the components that expand and contract in response to the ambient temperature of the water flowing through the valve. The thermostatic element changes in response to shifts in water temperature, which moves another component, the piston, up or down inside the valve.
The piston is the part that actually controls the flow of water. The thermostatic elements keep the piston in the ideal position to allow the proper mix of hot and cold water to flow through the valve, given the desired temperature.
The return spring is a component within the valve the “returns” the piston back to its original position after it has been acted upon by the thermostatic element, and the temperature adjuster enables the adjustment of the desired temperature of the water running through the valve.
How Bradley Thermostatic Mixing Valves Ensure Quality
While all thermostatic mixing valves perform the same basic function of holding the temperature of water running through the valve constant, Bradley thermostatic mixing valves, specifically Bradley Navigator Thermostatic Mixing Valves, set the bar for quality.
The Navigator thermostatic mixing valves feature a single valve design that is simpler than a multi-valve system and easier to set up and install, especially in recirculated systems. The Navigator Thermostatic Mixing Valves are also easier to install; since they have an integral port that allows the recirculation line to attach directly to the valve body, there are fewer connections to make and installation is streamlined.
Navigator Thermostatic Mixing Valves also enable precise temperature control and even offer anti-scald protection, and in addition, they are lead-free, making them safer for use and much better for the environment.
Learn More from the Team at Quality Plumbing Supply
Looking to learn more about the difference Bradley Thermostatic Mixing Valves can make for your organization’s infrastructure? Check out the collection of genuine Bradley parts, including thermostatic mixing valves, online at QualityPlumbingSupply.com. Feel free also to reach out to their customer service team – contact them if you have any questions!
