Why storage hot water needs tempering
Hot water storage systems typically hold water well above the temperature that's safe to deliver straight to a tap — hot enough to scald in seconds, especially for children and older people. A tempering valve sits between the storage unit and the outlets, blending hot and cold to bring delivery temperature down to a safe range before it reaches a tap or shower. Bluegum's 15mm Tempering Valve (BLUEGUM-TV15, $39.00) is adjustable across 38–50°C, lead-free brass, and WaterMark approved.
How the adjustment range works
The 38–50°C range lets the valve be set to match household plumbing code requirements, which commonly cap delivered hot water at 50°C at the outlet (and lower in some bathroom applications). Because it's adjustable rather than fixed, the same valve can be commissioned to the correct setting for the specific property rather than needing a different valve for each target temperature.
Where it fits in the system
The tempering valve installs on the hot water line leaving the storage unit, ahead of the outlets it serves — it doesn't replace any temperature-and-pressure relief valve at the tank itself, which is a separate safety device. Lead-free brass construction matters here because the valve sits permanently in the potable hot water path.
Pairing with hands-free and commercial tapware
Any hands-free fixture on a hot water line — a foot valve, a knee valve, or a timed push tap — only controls flow, not temperature, so a tempering valve upstream is what actually keeps the delivered water safe regardless of how those fixtures are operated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a tempering valve a legal requirement?
Plumbing codes in most Australian states require storage hot water systems to deliver water at or below a set maximum temperature at point of use — check your local code, but a tempering valve is the standard way to achieve this.
What temperature should I set the valve to?
That depends on your local plumbing code's maximum delivery temperature requirement — commonly around 50°C for general use and lower for some bathroom fixtures. Confirm the exact figure with your plumber or local authority.
Does a tempering valve replace the relief valve on my hot water tank?
No — the temperature-and-pressure relief valve on the tank is a separate safety device for the storage unit itself; the tempering valve controls delivery temperature at the outlets.
Why does the valve need to be WaterMark approved?
WaterMark approval confirms the valve has been independently tested against the Australian plumbing product standard, which is generally required for work on regulated hot water plumbing.