Thermostatic and three-way mixing valves in lead-free brass, 1/2", 3/4" and 1", in sweat, press, FIP and socket.
A mixing valve resolves a conflict built into every water heater. Storing below about 120°F allows Legionella to grow in the tank; delivering above 120°F scalds. The answer is to store hot and mix down at the outlet, which is exactly what these do.
Thermostatic valves hold a set outlet temperature against changes in supply pressure and inlet temperature, using a wax or bimetallic element. They are required at the point of use in many commercial and healthcare applications, and increasingly on residential tanks by code.
Three-way valves in hydronic heating do a related job for a different reason: they blend return water into the supply to protect a cast iron boiler from thermal shock, or to hold a radiant floor at 100°F while the boiler runs at 180°F.
Anything on potable water must be lead-free, which is why the listings separate lead-free brass from plain brass.
Brands include Resideo, Watts and Apollo-Conbraco.
