Do we NEED a pressure reducing valve?

[SlowMoFlow]

We have had problems with poor flow rates in newly-installed taps. Pressure was measured at 2.3 Bar at the kitchen tap.

The plumber has removed the Pressure Reducing Valve (rated at 2.1 Bar) which was fitted just after the main stopcock where the mains supply comes into the building. This has improved flow rates, but I'm concerned that now the building's plumbing is at full mains pressure, it might be putting too much stress on things like the boiler. We have a non-combi boiler and a hot water tank. No cold water tank in the building.

Should I be worried about this? Presumably the 2.1 Bar pressure reducing valve was installed for a reason.

 

[Keefy]

Have you pointed your concerns out to your plumber? As you offer very limited information in your post it would be handy to know what your plumber said about it.

Was the PRV installed at the same time you had your boiler or another appliance fitted? If so, there may well be a good reason for it having been there.

 

[SlowMoFlow]

Hi Keefy, yes the PRV was installed at the same time as the boiler etc. was fitted. I'm going to go back to them and see if they can tell me why it's there. Thanks for your help.

 

[dancinplumba]

As it's a non combi boiler, there will be no mains going to boiler

 

[anz]

Sounds like you've got an unvented cylinder in which case it's needed.

 

[lame plumber]

Sounds like you've got an unvented cylinder in which case it's needed.

you dont find many unvented cyl prvs fitted where the mains comes into the building, so the above comment probably doesnt apply as an unvented cyl will have its own prv as pary of the combination valve in the pipework on the cyl.

 

[Roger Welton]

Not many but they are out there.

 

[SlowMoFlow]

Okey doke - thanks all!

 

[Avatar]

I have seen 3.5 - 4 bar pressure into a combi and the main effect was that it simply couldn't heat the water up quick enough!

 

[dancinplumba]

I have seen 3.5 - 4 bar pressure into a combi and the main effect was that it simply couldn't heat the water up quick enough!

That's down to flow not pressure

 

[SimonG]

you dont find many unvented cyl prvs fitted where the mains comes into the building, so the above comment probably doesnt apply as an unvented cyl will have its own prv as pary of the combination valve in the pipework on the cyl.

I sometimes fit a prv by the stop tap when it's impossible to create a balanced cold without ripping the house to bits.