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, cold-water expansion valve, connection set and insulation kit.
A suitable 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.
Quick answer: this valve kit provides the core isolation, pressure-control and connection components used with compatible storage and heat pump hot water systems. The exact final arrangement depends on the selected water heater, incoming water pressure, existing plumbing and which components are already supplied with the new appliance.
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 prevent reverse flow through the cold-water inlet arrangement.
Cold-Water Expansion Valve
Provides a controlled discharge point for thermal expansion where an expansion control valve is required for the installation.
Connection Set
Provides the applicable fittings used to connect the replacement water heater to suitable existing plumbing.
Insulation Kit
Provides insulation for applicable exposed hot-water pipework around the completed installation.
TPR Valve Where Required
A suitable pressure and temperature relief valve can be supplied where required and where the correct valve is not already supplied with the new water heater.
PRESSURE CONTROL
What Does the Pressure-Limiting Valve Do?
A pressure-limiting valve helps maintain downstream water pressure within the operating requirements of the hot water system where incoming mains pressure is too high.
This helps prevent the water heater and connected valves from being continually exposed to water pressure above the intended operating range.
The correct PLV rating must suit the particular water heater and installation arrangement.
PLV selection is appliance-specific. Different water heaters can have different maximum supply-pressure requirements, so the correct valve rating should be confirmed against the selected system.
ISOLATION & NON-RETURN
Why Is a Non-Return Isolation Valve Included?
The non-return isolation valve provides a convenient local shut-off point on the incoming cold-water supply.
It also helps control reverse flow through the cold-water inlet arrangement.
This provides a more serviceable connection around the replacement water heater and allows the appliance to be isolated for future maintenance without unnecessarily shutting down the property's entire water supply.
THERMAL EXPANSION
What Does the Cold-Water Expansion Valve Do?
Water expands as it is heated inside a storage cylinder.
Where an expansion control valve is required, it provides a controlled discharge point on the cold-water side as pressure increases during the heating cycle.
This forms part of the pressure-management arrangement for applicable storage and heat pump hot water installations.
An expansion control valve is not automatically required on every installation. The final plumbing arrangement is determined by the selected water heater, mains pressure and site requirements.
PRESSURE & TEMPERATURE RELIEF
What Does the TPR Valve Do?
The pressure and temperature relief valve is an important safety component on a storage water heater.
It provides a controlled relief path if pressure or stored-water temperature reaches the valve's operating threshold.
Many new electric storage and heat pump water heaters are supplied by the manufacturer with a TPR valve specifically selected for that appliance.
Where the new water heater already includes the correct valve, that manufacturer-supplied TPR valve should be used as required by the product installation instructions.
A generic TPR valve should not be substituted just because the thread fits. The pressure rating, energy-relief capacity, connection size and appliance compatibility all need to be correct.
CONNECTION SET
What Is the Connection Set For?
The connection set provides the applicable fittings required to connect the new hot water system to suitable existing pipework.
It allows the licensed installer to create a neat and serviceable connection around the appliance where the purchased fittings and existing site are compatible.
Different hot water systems can have different inlet and outlet positions, so additional plumbing can still be required where the replacement appliance differs substantially from the old system.
PIPE INSULATION
Why Is an Insulation Kit Included?
Insulation around applicable exposed hot-water pipework helps reduce unnecessary heat loss between the water heater and the downstream plumbing.
It also provides a more finished connection arrangement around the installed appliance.
Pipe insulation can reduce heat loss but does not guarantee a particular energy-bill saving. Overall energy use depends on the water heater, pipe lengths, household demand and operating conditions.
VALVE KIT + INSTALLATION
Add 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 cover normal connection work around the replacement water heater and reasonable differences between the connection positions of the old and new systems.
Major relocation, extended pipe runs, extensive rerouting and other non-standard plumbing remain outside the included allowance.
2M PIPEWORK ALLOWANCE
What Does the Included Pipework Cover?
The pipework allowance applies when the valve kit is purchased together with the applicable installation package.
- Installation of the purchased valve-kit components
- Normal hot and cold water connection adjustments
- Reasonable differences between old and new connection positions
- Up to 2m of associated installed pipework
- A neat serviceable connection around the replacement system
The allowance does not include moving the water heater to another part of the property or extensively rerouting existing plumbing.
WHY REPLACE OLD VALVES?
Why Install New Valves With a New Hot Water System?
Existing hot water valves may have already been in service for many years by the time the water heater itself needs replacement.
Old components can be seized, leaking, corroded, incorrectly rated or unsuitable for the new appliance.
A new valve kit provides a fresh connection arrangement around the replacement system instead of automatically relying on ageing valves and fittings immediately beside it.
A new kit can be particularly useful where:
- The existing isolation valve is seized
- The existing valves are leaking
- A new PLV is required
- The existing pressure arrangement is unsuitable
- An expansion control valve is required
- The new system has different connection positions
- Existing fittings cannot be reliably reused
- The installation needs a cleaner serviceable connection arrangement
HEAT PUMP COMPATIBILITY
Can This Valve Kit Be Used With a Heat Pump?
Yes, where the valve kit ratings and components suit the selected heat pump water heater.
An integrated heat pump is still a storage hot water system and commonly requires consideration of cold-water isolation, pressure control, expansion, relief-valve drainage and temperature control.
The exact valve ratings must match the installation requirements of the particular heat pump being installed.
ELECTRIC STORAGE COMPATIBILITY
Can This Valve Kit Be Used With Electric Storage Hot Water?
Yes, where the components are appropriate for the selected electric storage water heater.
This can be particularly useful when an older storage cylinder is being replaced and the surrounding valves and connection fittings are also due for renewal.
WATER PRESSURE
Why Does Mains Water Pressure Matter?
Hot water cylinders and their valves have defined pressure ratings.
If incoming mains pressure exceeds the amount permitted by the selected water heater, the installation needs a suitable pressure-control arrangement.
The licensed plumber assesses the incoming pressure and water-heater requirements before confirming the final valve configuration.
Do not choose the PLV based only on what was installed with the old system. The new water heater may have different pressure requirements.
TEMPERATURE CONTROL
Does This Kit Include a Tempering Valve?
A tempering valve is not included unless it is specifically listed in the selected valve-kit option.
The completed installation still needs the appropriate temperature-control arrangement for the selected hot water system and property.
Where an existing temperature-control device is suitable and serviceable, it may be able to remain. Where it is missing or unsuitable, the required temperature-control device needs to be added separately.
VALVE RATINGS
Does Every Hot Water System Use the Same Valves?
No. The required valve combination and pressure ratings can differ between water heaters.
The final arrangement depends on factors including:
- Water-heater manufacturer and model
- Maximum appliance pressure
- Incoming mains pressure
- Whether an ECV is required
- Manufacturer-supplied TPR valve
- Existing temperature-control arrangement
- Existing plumbing condition
- Installation requirements for the specific system
RELIEF DRAINAGE
Do the Relief Valves Need Drainage?
Yes. Pressure and temperature relief valves and expansion control valves need appropriate discharge arrangements where installed.
The valve kit provides the applicable valve components described on this page, but major drainage alterations are not automatically included.
If the existing drain arrangement is missing, damaged or unsuitable for the replacement installation, additional work may be required.
WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED
What Is Not Included in the Standard Valve Kit?
Unlimited Pipework
The installation offer includes up to 2 metres of associated pipework with the purchased valve kit, not unlimited plumbing alterations.
Major Relocation
Moving the water heater to another location and extending services across the property are separate works.
Tempering Valve
A new tempering or other temperature-control valve is separate unless specifically included in the selected kit.
Major Drainage Changes
Long new drains, excavation and substantial drainage rectification are outside the standard valve-kit scope.
Electrical Work
New circuits, GPOs, isolators, connection changes and other electrical installation work are separate.
Unrelated Plumbing Repairs
Repairs to existing plumbing elsewhere on the property are not included simply because a new valve kit is installed.
INSTALLATION
Who Installs the Hot Water Valve Kit?
The valve kit is fitted as part of the regulated 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 required for the actual water heater and site.
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 Storage & Heat Pump Valve Kit
What Is Included in the Valve Kit?
The kit includes the pressure-limiting valve, non-return isolation valve, cold-water expansion 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 water heater.
Does the Valve Kit Include Installation?
No. Installation is selected separately.
What Happens If I Add Installation?
The applicable purchased valve-kit components are fitted and up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed is included under the matching installation terms.
Does the Kit Include Unlimited Pipework?
No. The included allowance is limited to up to 2 metres of associated connection pipework.
Does It Include a Pressure-Limiting Valve?
Yes.
What Does the Pressure-Limiting Valve Do?
It helps control excessive incoming mains pressure where the selected hot water system requires pressure limitation.
Does It Include a Non-Return Isolation Valve?
Yes.
What Does the Non-Return Isolation Valve Do?
It provides local water isolation and helps prevent reverse flow through the cold-water inlet arrangement.
Does It Include a Cold-Water Expansion Valve?
Yes. The kit includes an expansion control valve for installations where that component is required.
Is the Expansion Control Valve Always Required?
No. The licensed plumber confirms whether it is required for the actual water heater and site.
Does It Include a TPR Valve?
A suitable TPR valve can be included where required and where the new water heater does not already include the correct manufacturer-supplied valve.
Why Might the TPR Valve Already Be Supplied?
Many storage and heat pump water heaters include a TPR valve selected specifically for that appliance's pressure and relief-capacity requirements.
Can Any TPR Valve Be Used?
No. The pressure rating, relief capacity, connection size and compatibility must suit the water heater.
Does It Include a Tempering Valve?
Not unless a tempering valve is specifically listed with the selected kit.
Can an Existing Tempering Valve Be Reused?
Potentially, where it remains serviceable, suitable and correctly arranged for the replacement system.
Can This Kit Be Used With a Heat Pump?
Yes, where the valve ratings and connection components suit the exact heat pump being installed.
Can It Be Used With Electric Storage Hot Water?
Yes, where the kit is compatible with the selected electric storage water heater.
Does the Kit Guarantee There Will Never Be a Leak?
No. New valves and fittings provide a fresh connection arrangement, but they cannot guarantee the condition of unrelated existing plumbing elsewhere on the property.
Will Pipe Insulation Reduce Heat Loss?
Yes. Insulating applicable exposed hot-water pipework can reduce heat loss, although the effect on total household energy use varies between installations.
What If the New Water Heater Has Different Connection Positions?
The included installation allowance can cover ordinary connection differences. Larger changes or relocation require additional plumbing work.
Can I Buy the Valve Kit Supply Only?
Yes. The kit can be purchased for fitting by your own appropriately licensed installer.
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 electric storage or heat pump hot water system requires a fresh pressure-control, isolation and connection arrangement instead of relying on ageing existing valves and fittings.
The kit provides 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 incoming water pressure.
When purchased with the matching installation package, up to 2 metres of associated pipework installed is included under the package terms.
Temperature-control equipment, major drainage work, long pipe runs, relocation, electrical work and unrelated plumbing repairs remain separate where required.
