A perfect balance is necessary for the room heating or cooling system for the appropriate temperature. Only a set of balancing valves can do it for you by regulating the system’s water flow. This article will help you learn about the balancing valve’s purpose and use properly.

What Is A Balancing Valve?

The Balancing Valve is a mechanical device or valve… that controls the fluid flow to maintain a balance in the circulation. In other words, it is a valve that uses the hydraulic method to regulate the water flow of a heating or cooling system… to maintain a balance. It is a best-suit valve for the hydronic components.

Balancing Valve Types

You will see two main types of balancing valves available and those are static and dynamic. These two types of valves also come with different shapes and functions.

The static balancing valves (manual) act as a constant resistance. This valve requires an accurate calculation and adjustment. However, if there are several of them in a system, changing one could change the flow of all others. But dynamic balancing (automated) valves do not work in this way. They work as individuals and do not affect each other. 

Elements of a Balancing Valve

Most of the balancing valves have almost the same parts. The difference is in the alignment and type, depending on the manufacturer. Here are the components summary:

First of all, you will notice a handle or adjustable knob. It has gone inside the valve body. The knob also has a spring and steam with a gasket at its bottom. This part will help you to adjust and set the flow pressure rate. It works as a hydraulic that controls the water flow pressure. In addition, some knob has a micrometer or an indicator that is readable from a distance.

Secondly, there are two measurement ports or pressure read-out ports. These two are marked with two different colors, red and blue. The red one denotes the high-pressure side, and the blue one indicates low-pressure. You can measure the water-flowing pressure from these ports with a pressure measuring tool. 

The rest of the below part is the main body of the valve. The main body has an inlet and an outlet. Also, there is a flow indicator arrow mark on the body. Note that installing the valve according to this arrow direction is mandatory.

Working Procedure

The role of a balancing valve is to maintain the balance in a heating or cooling system by controlling the water flow pressure. Let’s see how.

The inlet in the valve body receives water from the water circulation pipe. And the outlet releases the water to another pipe that goes into your rooms. Meanwhile, the valve balances the water pressure when the water passes through it.

You have to adjust the knob to your preferred position to make the valve work for you. After setting up, the knob will let the water flow according to your preference. If the pressure is too high for the system, it will limit the flow to make the balance.

How to Make the Balance

Adjusting the valve knob is simple, but you must set it to the perfect point. The multi-turn knob will allow you to rotate it clockwise and counterclockwise. The clockwise turn will make the steam go down and shorten the flowing path. And the reverse is true for the counterclockwise turn. 

Most importantly, select the point at which your system will work fine. You can discuss it with your designer or ask the experts for a proper guideline. After that, you can adjust all the balancing valves in your system as follows:

• 1. Connect a pressure measurement tool to the read-out ports of the valve. Make sure to match the colors while connecting.

• 2. Determine your desired flow rate through the valve.

• 3. Adjust the knob to achieve the proper rate of flow.

• 4. Repeat these steps for all the balancing valves of your system until you get the perfect reading.

Purpose and Uses of Balancing Valves

A hydronic system will be balanced when the flow in the total system will run, maintaining the specific flow rate set out in the system design. Otherwise, the unequal flow rates will affect the system. Therefore, you will not get the desired results in all your rooms. In this circumstance, balancing valves is the best choice. They will maintain the same flow in all terminals to give you an accurate result.

The balancing valves have a broad range of uses, especially in HVAC systems. They also work great in chilled beams, heat exchangers, fan coils, radiators, server cooling systems, radiant panels, water return lines… and many other systems. 

Selection Criteria

It is not like you will choose any balancing valves that will work fine in your system. You have to select a good one that will fit your needs. Here is how:

Choose the correct type. The static type will be suitable if your system needs basic resistance. Otherwise, choose dynamic ones in case of operational control requirements. Moreover, talk to your system designer or valve supplier for a better solution.

This valve comes in different sizes, so choose the proper size according to the pipe.

Different materials, such as brass, stainless steel, ductile iron, and others, are available. However, brass is the preferred material for balancing valves. 

Consider any other features you want to include, such as warning indicators, automatic shutoffs, etc.

You are wrong if you think it is pretty challenging to find quality valves. We, Plumberstar, can provide you with top-quality brass balancing valves at an affordable price. We have all the types and sizes of this valve available in our factory, including any other brass valves. Check out our product page for details.

To sum up, balancing valves maintain the balance efficiently… to ensure an accurate temperature without costing extra energy and time. Now that you know about them, you can use them to balance your heating and cooling system perfectly.