Whether you are a homeowner or staying in a rented accommodation, you have to bear the cost of utility bills. Higher utility bills add to the monthly expenses, so it is important to identify the reason. If the reason is a faulty plumbing system due to issues with the water pressure, address the problem at the earliest. The best way to resolve the issue is to install a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV) to save on water bills. How it works and helps reduce water bills is discussed later in this blog. PRV ensures that the water pressure is within the safe limit and no wastage occurs.
What is a Pressure Reducing Valve (PRV)?
PRVs are compact and affordable valves that reduce the water pressure coming from the city mains to the home to ensure a balanced water pressure. PRVs also help in setting a pressure to 50 lbs, ensuring a safe operation of appliances and piping systems.
How Does PRV Help Reduce the Water Bill?
Balanced water pressure is what a household needs to save on water bills. This is because high water pressure can result in leaking water heaters, dripping faucets, and seeping pipes. These spillovers and water wastage can be easily reduced and controlled by reducing the water pressure with the help of PRV. According to Watts Australia, if water pressure is reduced by half, 33% of water can be saved, reducing the water bills.
Another important point to note is that higher water consumption affects other utility bills like electricity and gas. If more water is used, it means more water is pumped, resulting in higher electricity bills. In any household, the average pressure should be between 45 and 60 psi, but many households have pressure up to 100 psi. Hence, the best solution is to install a pressure-reducing valve.
Where Are PRVs Commonly Used?
PRVs are installed in residential, commercial as well and industrial buildings to control the water pressure flowing to the buildings. It helps in moderating the flow of water supply and helps reduce wastage, which further helps save the water bills. It’s not mandatory to install a pressure-reducing valve, but it’s recommended as it will lower the utility bills and help conserve water.
Signs of High Water Pressure
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A loud noise was heard from the pipe while running water. This is referred to as “water hammer.”
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Leaky fixtures despite turning them off
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Continuous running toilets
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Frequent repair of the appliances and fixtures, or a short lifespan of the appliances
Damages Caused by High Pressure
Water pressure exceeding 60 psi can cause major issues over the years, affecting the plumbing system and the functioning of appliances. Here is the detailed information regarding the probable damages:
Wear and Tear of Pipes.
High water pressure can damage the pipes at the joints and fittings. It can cause cracks, leaks, and ruptures in the pipes, which may cause water damage extending to hidden areas such as under the floor or behind the walls.
Reduces the Lifespan of Fixtures
Most of the faucets, showerheads, and other fixtures are designed to handle a particular range of water pressure. High water pressure reduces their durability and causes leaky faucets and running toilets, which lead to wastage of water and reduced lifespan of fixtures.
Higher Utility Bills
Excess water pressure means more water wastage from leaky faucets and other fixtures, which leads to higher water bills.
Premature Failure of Appliances
Other household appliances, such as dishwashers, washing machines, and water heaters, also get damaged due to high water pressure. The higher water pressure affects the valve, seals, and internal components of the appliances, which can result in premature failure.
Damages Caused by Low Pressure
Unbalanced water pressure, whether it’s high or low, can extensively damage the appliances and add to the water Damages Caused by Low Pressureills. Here is the list of the issues arising out of low pressure:
Low Water Flow
Low water pressure makes the daily chores time-consuming because low pressure means weak water flow, which means faucets can take more time to complete the daily task.
Fluctuation in Water Temperature
Low water pressure can cause inconsistent water temperature, felt when using hot water appliances such as water heaters. Quite often, fluctuation in temperature causes discomfort while using these appliances.
Ineffective Performance of Appliances
Appliances such as washing machines and dishwashers don’t perform well under low water pressure. The machine struggles to get sufficient water, which puts more pressure on the machine. Even the washing cycle remains incomplete.
Conclusion
PRV undoubtedly helps in lowering the water bill. Pressure-reducing valve (PRV) controls the water pressure, which means the plumbing system works efficiently without damaging the pipes. PRV also ensures just enough water pressure at home, which reduces water wastage. As a result, the water bill also gets reduced.