Proper installation of mixing valve on new hot water heater?

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Jamison245

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I just joined this forum, and before anything else would like to say "Thank you" to all who take the time contribute. I have gleaned much valuable information for my DIY plumbing projects.

I recently had a new gas-fired hot water tank installed in my home. This installation included a Residio Braukmann ASX300 Series mixing valve. (May be required now in NH?) After a couple of weeks, I decided to measure the hot water temperature at the kitchen sink, which is the closest fixture to the tank. My digital thermometer measured almost 150° F.

So now I need to try and adjust the mixing valve to get the hot water temperature down to about 120°. I turned the adjustment knob in small steps while continuing to flow water into a container which held the thermometer. I could not affect any real change in the water temperature at the faucet. I begin to look online to see what I can find about this type of mixing valve, thinking that there was something I did not understand. I found the installation instructions for a Honeywell-branded valve that looked exactly the same as what was installed on my tank. In these instructions, and also in pictures found on the web, the part of the mixing valve kit that contains the adjustment knob is always installed on the hot water port of the tank. In my case, it is on the cold water side.

So that is my question. Is this mixing valve installed correctly? At the very least, I have to contact them about the lack of control the hot water output. My understanding is that the adjustment knob on the mixing valve should yield a reasonably quick change in the measured temperature of the hot water.

Thank you!

IMG_6050.jpeg
 

Jamison245

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Thank you! The instructions and the diagrams are pretty clear.

I am going to contact the plumbing company and tell them that the adjustment knob on the mixing valve is not really changing the water temperature at the sink, and that the way it was installed may be the problem.
 

GReynolds929

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100% piped wrong. Thermostatic valve goes on the hot outlet. They're going to have to cut out their Propress fittings to redo it. This is 100% on the installer, you should not be paying them to fix their mistake. It is also a safety issue as 150° degree water will scald near instantly. Do you know how to turn down the thermostat on the water heater until the mixing valve is fixed?
 

Jamison245

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Thanks to both responders. I just wanted to be sure my diagnosis was correct. I have turned the heater thermostat down a bit. Fortunately, it is just my wife and I in the home and we are being careful.

But I’ll be calling the plumbing company right away.
 

Breplum

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Like reading instructions is too hard. AND flex lines, man !!!. will make it so much easier next time. IDIOTS...sorry to use harsh language for those sensitive folks, but gimme a break.
Call them back and get us updated.
 

Master Plumber Mark

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Its all ass backwards and what is the vacuum breaker for on the water heater??
why would you put a vacuum breaker on the water heater instead of a thermal expansion tank?

I think that this fellow does not know his ass from a hole in the ground...

but he knows how to use a propress tool
 

Jamison245

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We have lived in this house for 30 years. I had installed two hot water heaters myself over that period. But this time (at age 71), I thought I would let someone else do it. But even if I pay someone to do something, I like to try to understand the process, and how things are supposed to work, if I can.

So your question about the vacuum breaker made me do some digging. I would not even have known what that component was called! Evidentally, in NH, it is code to install one of these vacuum-relief valves "to prevent atmospheric pressure from possibly collapsing the tank or damaging an internal flue". I didn't know what that thing was for….. so thanks for the question!

And they did install an expansion tank on the cold water line feeding the hot water heater. I hope they got that right at least. It just doesn't show in my picture.

Thanks to all for the feedback, and helping me to understand what a proper installation should look like.
 

Master Plumber Mark

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We have lived in this house for 30 years. I had installed two hot water heaters myself over that period. But this time (at age 71), I thought I would let someone else do it. But even if I pay someone to do something, I like to try to understand the process, and how things are supposed to work, if I can.

So your question about the vacuum breaker made me do some digging. I would not even have known what that component was called! Evidentally, in NH, it is code to install one of these vacuum-relief valves "to prevent atmospheric pressure from possibly collapsing the tank or damaging an internal flue". I didn't know what that thing was for….. so thanks for the question!

And they did install an expansion tank on the cold water line feeding the hot water heater. I hope they got that right at least. It just doesn't show in my picture.

Thanks to all for the feedback, and helping me to understand what a proper installation should look like.


I am in Indiana and the vacuum relief valve is not required here and it basically is one step from useless
we rarely see them on anything..... the odds of a water heater imploding are greater than winning
the power ball lottery.... but that is what the want to make things seem more technical , important
whatever...
I know that most times the dam thing leaks after someone attempts to drain the water heater
and breaks the seal on the thing and it wont re-set properly after a year or two in service...
its just a make work for the plumber kind of thing...

have them come out and do the job correctly

good luck
 

Master Plumber Mark

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I think they make sense if your WH is not on the bottom floor.


Most all water heaters have a small anti siphon hole at the top of the dip tube that prevents a vacuum from happening..
so they really are not needed.. the hole breaks the vacuum and keeps the unit from siphoning itself down more than
a few inches in the tank before it can ever "implode"

we have had to remove a tiny number of them over the years due to the leaking damage they have caused.
due to them limeing up and not re-setting properly... and pissing all over the home.

Many homes here have heaters on the second floor and they are not required....at least in our state.
Its whatever they want,

I know, but what if the dip tube fails???..
what if this and what if that......

.
 
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