HOT WATER CONNECTION & VALVE KIT
Storage & Heat Pump Hot Water System Valve Kit
A new storage or heat pump hot water system still depends on the surrounding valves, pressure-control components, connection fittings and pipework being suitable for the replacement appliance.
This hot water valve kit provides the core connection components commonly required when installing a compatible storage or heat pump hot water system, including a pressure-limiting valve, non-return isolation valve, expansion control valve, connection set and insulation kit.
A pressure and temperature relief valve can also form part of the installation where it is required and is not already supplied with the new water heater.
When the valve kit is purchased together with the applicable Installed Today installation package, up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed is included under the installation terms.
What you are buying: a connection and valve package for a suitable storage or heat pump hot water installation. The final valve arrangement depends on the selected appliance, incoming water pressure, existing plumbing and which components are already supplied with the new water heater.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
What Comes in the Hot Water Valve Kit?
Pressure-Limiting Valve
A PLV regulates excessive incoming mains pressure where pressure limitation is required for the selected hot water system.
Non-Return Isolation Valve
Provides local water isolation and helps control reverse flow through the cold-water inlet arrangement.
Expansion Control Valve
An ECV provides a controlled discharge point for thermal expansion in installations where an expansion control valve is required.
Connection Set
Provides the applicable fittings used to connect the purchased water heater to the property's suitable existing plumbing.
Insulation Kit
Provides insulation for applicable exposed hot-water pipework around the installation.
TPR Valve Where Required
A pressure and temperature relief valve can be supplied where required and where an appropriate valve is not already supplied with the new water heater.
PRESSURE CONTROL
What Does the Pressure-Limiting Valve Do?
A pressure-limiting valve helps keep the downstream water pressure within the operating requirements of the hot water system where incoming mains pressure is too high.
This can help protect the cylinder, valves and connected plumbing from operating above their intended pressure limits.
The correct valve rating needs to suit the selected water heater and the property's actual incoming pressure.
A PLV is not selected by guesswork. The required pressure setting depends on the appliance specification and plumbing arrangement.
ISOLATION & NON-RETURN
Why Is a Non-Return Isolation Valve Included?
The non-return isolation valve combines two useful functions within the cold-water inlet arrangement.
It provides a local shut-off point so the water heater can be isolated for servicing and helps prevent reverse flow through the inlet connection.
This makes future servicing and replacement more practical than relying on an old, inaccessible or unsuitable isolation arrangement.
EXPANSION CONTROL
What Does the Expansion Control Valve Do?
Stored water expands as it is heated.
Where an expansion control valve is required, the valve provides a controlled discharge point on the cold-water side as pressure increases during the heating cycle.
This can reduce unnecessary discharge through the water heater's pressure and temperature relief valve and forms part of the pressure-management arrangement on applicable installations.
An expansion control valve is not automatically required in every installation. The licensed plumber confirms whether an ECV is required for the property and selected water heater.
PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE RELIEF
Does the Valve Kit Include a TPR Valve?
A pressure and temperature relief valve is an important safety component on a storage water heater.
It provides a relief pathway if pressure or water temperature rises beyond the valve's operating threshold.
Many new storage and heat pump water heaters are supplied by the manufacturer with a model-specific TPR valve. Where that valve is supplied with the heater, the manufacturer's supplied valve should be used as required by the installation instructions.
If a suitable TPR valve is not supplied with the purchased system and one is required as part of the installation, the appropriate valve can be included in the installation scope.
TPR valves must match the water heater. The pressure and energy rating should not be substituted with a generic valve simply because the thread size fits.
CONNECTION SET
What Is the Connection Set For?
The connection set provides the applicable fittings used to connect the new storage or heat pump water heater to the existing suitable plumbing.
It allows the installer to create a neat, serviceable connection arrangement around the replacement system where the purchased components and existing site are compatible.
The connection set does not guarantee that every existing pipe position will line up with every water heater. Additional plumbing can still be required where the replacement cylinder has significantly different connection locations.
PIPE INSULATION
Why Is Pipe Insulation Included?
Insulation around applicable exposed hot-water pipework helps reduce unwanted heat loss between the water heater and downstream plumbing.
It also helps provide a neater finished connection arrangement around the installed water heater.
Pipe insulation can reduce heat loss but does not guarantee a particular energy-bill saving. Actual energy use depends on the complete hot water system, pipe lengths, usage and operating conditions.
VALVE KIT + INSTALLATION
Purchase Installation & Get Up to 2m of Associated Pipework Installed
When this valve kit is purchased with the matching Installed Today installation package, the installation includes up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed for the valve-kit connection.
This allowance is designed to accommodate normal connection work around the replacement water heater, including reasonable differences between the old and new system's water connection positions.
It does not provide unlimited plumbing work. Genuine relocation, long pipe runs, extensive rerouting and major alterations remain additional.
2M PIPEWORK ALLOWANCE
What Does the Included Pipework Cover?
The included allowance applies when the valve kit is purchased together with the applicable installation service.
- Installation of the purchased valve-kit components
- Normal hot and cold connection adjustment
- Reasonable connection differences between replacement systems
- Up to 2m of associated installed pipework
- Neat connection around the replacement water heater
The allowance does not include relocating the water heater to another part of the property or extensively rerouting the home's plumbing.
WHEN TO REPLACE OLD VALVES
Why Install New Valves With a New Water Heater?
Existing hot water valves may have been in service for many years and can become seized, leaking, corroded or unsuitable for a replacement system.
Installing a new valve kit can provide a fresh serviceable connection arrangement around the new appliance rather than depending on ageing components immediately beside the water heater.
A new valve kit may be particularly useful where:
- The existing isolation valve is seized
- The existing valves are leaking
- A pressure-limiting valve is required
- The existing pressure-control arrangement is unsuitable
- An expansion control valve is required
- The new system has different connection positions
- Existing fittings cannot be reliably reused
- The surrounding plumbing needs a cleaner serviceable connection arrangement
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Does This Valve Kit Include a Tempering Valve?
A tempering valve is not listed as one of the standard components in this valve kit unless it is specifically included in the selected valve-kit option.
The completed hot water installation still needs the appropriate temperature-control arrangement for the property and selected water heater.
Where the existing temperature-control device is serviceable and suitable for the new installation, it may be able to remain.
If the existing arrangement cannot provide the required temperature control, an appropriate new temperature-control device must be purchased and installed separately.
NOT EVERY VALVE IS ALWAYS REQUIRED
Does Every Installation Use Every Valve in the Same Way?
No.
The final plumbing arrangement depends on:
- The exact water-heater manufacturer and model
- Incoming mains pressure
- Water-heater pressure rating
- Whether an ECV is required
- Whether the manufacturer supplies the TPR valve
- Existing temperature-control arrangements
- Existing plumbing condition
- Local installation requirements
The licensed plumber confirms which supplied components are required and how they are to be arranged for the actual installation.
HEAT PUMP APPLICATIONS
Can This Valve Kit Be Used With a Heat Pump?
Yes, where the kit components and ratings are suitable for the selected heat pump hot water system.
Heat pumps are storage water heaters and commonly require the same fundamental considerations as electric storage systems, including cold-water isolation, pressure management, relief-valve drainage and temperature control.
The exact valve ratings must still match the heat pump manufacturer's installation requirements.
ELECTRIC STORAGE APPLICATIONS
Can This Valve Kit Be Used With Electric Storage Hot Water?
Yes, where the components are appropriate for the selected electric storage water heater and property.
This makes the kit particularly useful where an ageing electric storage cylinder is being replaced and the surrounding cold-water valves and fittings should also be renewed.
WATER PRESSURE
Why Does Incoming Water Pressure Matter?
Water heaters and their valves have defined operating-pressure limits.
If the incoming mains pressure is higher than the selected water heater permits, a correctly rated pressure-limiting arrangement is required.
The licensed installer assesses the actual site pressure and appliance requirements before confirming the final valve configuration.
Do not choose a PLV solely because another water heater used the same rating. Different hot water systems can specify different pressure limits.
RELIEF DRAINAGE
Do the Relief Valves Need Drain Lines?
Yes. Where a TPR valve or expansion control valve is installed, its discharge requires an appropriate drain arrangement.
The standard valve kit supplies the relevant valve components described on this page, but major drainage extensions or rectification outside the normal installation scope may require additional work.
The installer assesses the existing discharge arrangement before commissioning the replacement system.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
What Is Not Included in the Standard Valve Kit?
Unlimited Pipework
The installation offer provides up to 2m of associated pipework with the purchased valve kit, not unlimited plumbing alteration.
Major Relocation
Moving the water heater to another location and extending services across the property is separate work.
Temperature-Control Device
A tempering valve or other temperature-control device is separate unless specifically included in the selected product.
Major Drainage Changes
Long new relief-valve drains, excavation, concrete work and major drainage rectification are outside the basic valve-kit scope.
Electrical Work
Electrical circuits, GPOs, connection conversions, switchboard work and other electrical services are separate.
Unrelated Plumbing Repairs
Repairs to damaged, leaking or defective plumbing elsewhere on the property are not included.
INSTALLATION
Who Installs the Hot Water Valve Kit?
The valve kit must be fitted as part of the hot water plumbing installation by an appropriately licensed plumbing professional.
When purchased with an eligible Installed Today installation package, the attending installer fits the purchased components that are required for the actual system and installation.
Supply-only customers can purchase the valve kit with the water heater and provide both to their own licensed installer.
BEFORE ORDERING
What Should You Check Before Buying the Valve Kit?
- The replacement is a compatible storage or heat pump water heater
- The valve ratings suit the selected appliance
- The manufacturer-supplied TPR valve has been identified
- Incoming water pressure has been considered
- The condition of existing valves has been checked
- Any required temperature-control device has been considered
- Existing relief-valve drainage is suitable
- The matching installation package has been selected if installation is required
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions About the Hot Water Valve Kit
What Is Included?
The standard kit includes the pressure-limiting valve, non-return isolation valve, expansion control valve, connection set and insulation kit described on this page, together with a suitable TPR valve where required and not already supplied with the new heater.
Does It Include Installation?
No. Installation is selected separately.
What Happens If I Buy the Kit With Installation?
Installed Today fits the applicable purchased valve-kit components and includes up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed under the installation terms.
Does the Kit Include Unlimited Pipework?
No. The included pipework allowance is limited to up to 2 metres of associated connection work.
Does It Include a Pressure-Limiting Valve?
Yes. A PLV forms part of the valve kit.
Why Is a PLV Used?
A PLV controls excessive incoming mains pressure where pressure limitation is required for the selected water heater.
Does It Include a Non-Return Isolation Valve?
Yes. This provides local isolation and non-return functionality within the cold-water inlet arrangement.
Does It Include an Expansion Control Valve?
Yes. The kit includes an expansion control valve for installations where the ECV is required.
Is an ECV Always Required?
No. Whether it is required depends on the installation and applicable plumbing arrangement.
Does the Kit Include a TPR Valve?
A suitable TPR valve can be included where required and where the new water heater does not already include the appropriate manufacturer-supplied valve.
Why Would the TPR Valve Already Be With the Heater?
Many storage and heat pump water heaters are supplied with a TPR valve selected specifically for the tank's pressure and energy rating.
Can Any TPR Valve Be Used?
No. Its pressure, energy rating, connection size and compatibility need to suit the water heater.
Does the Kit Include a Tempering Valve?
Not unless a tempering valve is specifically listed in the selected kit. Temperature-control requirements are assessed separately.
Can My Existing Tempering Valve Be Reused?
Potentially, where it remains serviceable, suitable and correctly arranged for the replacement installation.
Does the Kit Fit Heat Pumps?
Yes, where the supplied valve ratings and components suit the exact heat pump being installed.
Does the Kit Fit Electric Storage Systems?
Yes, where it is compatible with the selected electric storage water heater.
Does the Kit Guarantee No Leaks?
No. New components provide a fresh connection arrangement, but no plumbing product can guarantee that unrelated existing pipework will never leak.
Will the Insulation Lower My Energy Bill?
Insulation can reduce heat loss from applicable exposed pipework, but actual household energy savings depend on the complete system and usage.
What If the New Water Heater Has Different Connection Positions?
The included installation allowance can accommodate normal connection differences. Larger changes or relocation require additional plumbing work.
Can I Buy the Kit Supply Only?
Yes. The valve kit can be purchased for your own licensed installer to fit with the compatible water heater.
Can I Install the Valve Kit Myself?
Regulated hot water plumbing work should be completed by appropriately licensed trades.
FINAL CHECK
Is This Valve Kit Right for Your New Hot Water System?
Choose this valve kit where a new storage or heat pump hot water system requires a fresh pressure-control, isolation and connection arrangement rather than relying on ageing existing valves and fittings.
The kit includes the core components described on this page, while the licensed installer confirms which valves are required and ensures their ratings suit the selected appliance and the property's water pressure.
When purchased with the matching installation package, up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed is included under the package terms.
Additional temperature-control equipment, major drainage work, long pipe runs, relocation, electrical work and unrelated plumbing repairs remain separate where required.
