What is a Tempering Valve?

What is a Tempering Valve and How Does it Work?

A tempering valve acts as a “safety gatekeeper” for your hot water system. Most storage hot water units (Electric, Gas, or Heat Pump) must heat water to at least 60°C to ensure the tank remains sterile. However, 60°C is hot enough to cause severe burns in seconds, especially to children and the elderly.

The valve sits on the pipework outside your hot water unit. It has two inlets (one for hot water from the tank, one for cold water from the mains) and one outlet. Inside, a temperature-sensitive element expands and contracts to mix the cold and hot water to your preset safety level before it reaches your shower or bath.

When is a Tempering Valve Legally Required?

In Queensland, you are legally required to have a licensed plumber install or upgrade a tempering valve in the following situations:

• New Hot Water Installations: Any new system installed in a 2026 home.

• System Replacements: If you are replacing an old electric tank with a new Heat Pump or Gas unit.

• Relocating a Unit: If the hot water system is moved to a different part of the property.

• Renovations: When adding or upgrading a bathroom or laundry.

5 Signs Your Tempering Valve is Failing

Tempering valves ares mechanical parts that eventually wear out due to mineral deposits and thermal stress. If you notice these symptoms, the valve likely needs replacement.

• Inconsistent Temperature: Your shower fluctuates between freezing and scalding without you touching the taps.
• Lukewarm Water: No matter how high you set the tank, the water at the tap never gets hot enough.
• Reduced Hot Water Pressure: The cold water flows fine, but the hot water has slowed to a trickle (often caused by a blocked internal filter)
• Visible Leaks: You see water dripping or “clarification” (white crusty buildup) around the valve itself.
• The Valve is 5+ Years Old: Most manufacturers recommend replacement every 5 to 8 years to ensure continued safety.

Tempering Valve vs. Thermostatic Mixing Valve (TMV)

While they do the same job, they are used in different environments.

• Tempering Valves: The standard for residential homes. They are affordable, accurate to +/-3, and can be installed by any licensed plumber.
• Thermostatic Mixing Valves (TMV): Required for hospitals, childcare centres, and nursing homes. They are highly precise (+/-1C) and feature a “fail-safe” that shuts off the water instantly if the cold supply fails. These require a plumber with a specialised TMV endorsement to service.

Why Choose Fallon Solutions for Your Hot Water Safety?

• Master Plumber: Our team are fully licensed and experts in AS/NZS 3500 compliance.
• 24/7 Support: If you’re valve fails and leaves you with no hot water, our emergency plumbing team is available around the clock.
• Clean-Up and Courtesy: Our uniformed technicians prioritise safety and respect, providing a spotless cleanup or honouring your preference to handle it yourself.
• Full-compliance: We provide the necessary QBCC Form 4 notification for all valve replacements, protecting your home insurance.

We aim to provide you with fast, reliable service with minimal impact to your day. Contact Fallon Solutions on 1300 054 488 or complete our online booking enquiry here.

Your Local SEQLD Plumber

Fallon Solutions has been serving the local SEQLD community for over 60yrs. With expert plumbers located across the region, you can be sure you’re getting a trusted professional:

• Greater Brisbane Plumber
• Gold Coast Plumber
• Sunshine Coast Plumber