One of the most critical problems facing our nation is the supply of water and energy. We must reduce our consumption if we cannot increase our supply. We have been proven to be able to conserve significantly without significantly affecting our lifestyles. This is about the water pressure reducing valves that fit in your residential apartment or your office buildings.
Conservation of water and energy are so closely related that they are practically synonymous. A reduction in water use automatically results in a reduction in energy use. The result of this is that our whole philosophy towards water use is changing and we are finally realizing it. We are accustom to having a lot of water and it is time to come back to reality by adjusting to our actual needs and practicing good conservation principles.
This article will educate you on how you can conserve water and energy in a simple manner. The center of the program is the use of water pressure reducing valves (regulators). Which fits at the water meter in homes and other buildings to reduce the main’s pressure to a lower, more functional one (for most purposes 50 psi of water pressure is adequate). The valves are inexpensive and simple to install.
What are Water Pressure Regulators or Pressure Reducing Valves?
This device also called a water pressure reducing valve, is a compact, inexpensive device that serves two purposes:
- They increase the distribution pressure in the home by reducing the city mains pressure.
- They regulate by maintaining a certain pressure in the home, typically 50 psi — and this allows the home appliances and piping to function at a safe, moderately high pressure.
What is Water Pressure?
When a home fixture is opened and water flows from it, the water is being pushed. This pressure is the cause. The flow rate of water from an opened outlet is determined by the level of pressure or “push” in the system at that time. As pressure increases, the “push” behind water increases as well.
What is Wrong with High Water Pressure?
There are some advantages to high water pressure, which is generally as anything above 60 pounds in firefighting systems, for example. A strong “push” behind the water can damage the plumbing system of a house, as well as cause water heaters to leak, banging water pipes, dripping faucets, excessive dishwasher and clothes washer noise, breakdowns, and leaking water pipes. The result is that too much water flowing is damaging, wasteful, and decreases the life expectancy of equipment in the system. Lastly, high water pressure can increase the cost of water, energy, and wastewater for the average homeowner.
Is “Water Hammer” Caused by High Water Pressure?
Certainly. When a fixture is suddenly closed, a water hammer is caused by the shocks of flowing high-speed water in a pipe. As a result of the abrupt stoppage, water bounces back, causing noise, banging pipes, and damage to appliances. The effect is comparable to driving a car at a slow speed into a wall. The impact, however, would be greater if the car was driven faster, and consequently, the rebound or shock would be greater as well. High water pressure can also know as having a water hammer effect. First, walk around a sharp corner and then run around the same corner. We can equate walking around the corner to lower, more functional, controlled water pressure. However, when you run around
Around the corner, momentum causes your body to swing in an uncontrolled arc. The Water tends to move along straight lines. Because it is a moving object. Water tends to resist changing directions. Water hammer shock can therefore be minimizing by reducing the water pressure in a home with many changes in direction in the piping.
Is There a Difference in Water Flow from a Fixture at a Pressure of 100 psi and a pressure of 50 psi?
A reduction in pressure from 100 psi to 50 psi will result in a saving of approximately 1/3 because 13 fewer gallons of water will flow. At 100 psi, there is more “push” behind the water than at 50 psi, and most of this water waste. Using a regulator would result in a 20% savings if the supply pressure is less to 65 psi.
What is the most common application for Water Pressure Regulators?
Residential, commercial, and industrial buildings commonly use water pressure regulators at the meter. Due to its location, it controls water pressure flowing to all appliances and outlets within the building and provides an inexpensive means of providing outlets and appliances with a lower, more functional water pressure.
What savings can I expect if I install a pressure regulator?
Savings would range from $50 to $150 per year, probably much more.
- Because 1/3 less water flows at 50 psi than at 100 psi, you can expect to save up to 1/3 of the water previously consumed. A typical family of four uses 93,000 gallons of water each year, so the savings would be approximately 30,000 gallons. Savings increase as pressure increases. Less water will save at lower pressures. (Your water company can provide you with the rate.)
- Remember, however, that 1/3 of the water utilizing in homes is warm; as a result, 1/3 of the 30,000 gallons of water saved divided by 2 reflects the cold water mixing factor, which would mean savings in heating hot water of up to 5,000 gallons annually. The savings would be $200.00 if a gallon of water costs 4 cents to heat.
- Since most of the 30,000 gallons of water saved will not be going into the wastewater system, you can expect savings on your sewer surcharge bill as well. Please contact your local authority for assessment charges.
- In addition, you would need to calculate the savings generated by not having to repair or replace appliances as often. While this is a nebulous number, based on your own experience over the past few years, you may see a reduction in the frequency of maintenance and an improvement in performance.
Aira Euro Automation is a well-known pressure reducing valve manufacturing company in India. They offer high-quality water pressure reducing valves at a very competitive price for your residential and commercial buildings.
Conclusion
In this blog post, we have answered all of your questions about water pressure and water hammer. If you were looking for the definition of water pressure, or if someone was looking for a way to diagnose a “water hammer” then this blog post is for him. Share it with your colleagues and friends. We hope that you learned something useful, and if you have any questions, feel free to contact us by leaving a comment.
