High Flow rate pressure reducer valve

[fin301]

Hi,

I have my presure reducer valve in my kitchen set to 3.5 bar and from that I am geting a flow rate of around 12l per min. I have read on the internet that I should be getting a far higher flow rate from 3.5 bar of presure.

Can you let me know what you think? Do you think the presure reducer valve could be slowing the flow way down?

Can you get high flow presure reducer valves and if so what would you recoend for a 22mm mains inlet?

The valve I have just now is around 7 years old. Not sure if this is posible but it would be good to have less presure with a litte more flow.

Thanks for an advice given.

 

[oz-plumber]

Does the existing valve have a filter or line strainer incorporated in the valve or is there another valve / fitting near by.
It could be as simple as a blocked filter.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

What does the pressure reducing valve supply?

 

[fin301]

The valve does have a small filter which I gave a clean. There are no other valves near it and the valve is before my outside tape and supplies the full house.

 

[steadyon]

Do you know what the pressure and flow rate are before the PRV - If the pressure is less than 3.5 bar the PRV will have (virtually) no effect.

In your original post you said the PRV was set to 3.5 bar. Is it adjustable? If so, try increasing the pressure it allows through and see if the flow rate changes. If there is no change then either the valve is faulty or your mains pressure is below 3.5 bar.

 

[fin301]

Do you know what the pressure and flow rate are before the PRV - If the pressure is less than 3.5 bar the PRV will have (virtually) no effect.

In your original post you said the PRV was set to 3.5 bar. Is it adjustable? If so, try increasing the pressure it allows through and see if the flow rate changes. If there is no change then either the valve is faulty or your mains pressure is below 3.5 bar.

The valve is adjustable and I can adjust the pressure up to a max of 4 bar on the valve gadge. I take it this would mean I am getting 4 bar before the valve. The flow rate does increase if I adjust the valve to 4 bar.

i didn't really want to run the house at 4 bar as not sure if everything in the house can take it. I am not sure what the flow rate is before the valve. I was hoping that there were valves out there that would hold the pressure at 3 bar but let a better flow rate than 14l per min through.

thanks for the replies so far

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

If the pressure reducing valve is part of an unvented hot water system then you need to stop and get a G3 registered plumber in.

 

[fin301]

The house has a Boilermate A class Vented system

 

[townfanjon]

You can adjust your PRV to whatever , if it's coming through a small bore or kinked pipe It won't make much difference.
High pressure does nt necessary mean high flow

 

[Danv44444]

Pressure and flow are totally separate things. Just because the pressure is good doesn't mean the flow will be.

 

[fin301]

Yeah I know flow and pressure are different things. I was just wondering if it may be worth trying to upgrade the valve for a high flow one to see if that helped.

 

[Ch4 plumbing]

The house has a Boilermate A class Vented system

Okay fin301, just checking mate.

Sometimes the spring in the PRV gives out and restricts the flow right down, if it's within your capabilities isolate the main, remove the PRV and connect a hose or rigid pipe to prove your main is working correctly.

 

[fin301]

Okay fin301, just checking mate.

Sometimes the spring in the PRV gives out and restricts the flow right down, if it's within your capabilities isolate the main, remove the PRV and connect a hose or rigid pipe to prove your main is working correctly.

Thanks I will try that out to see how the flow is before the PRV. If the PRV does show to have a fault can you recommend a PRV that's best for flow rate? Thanks