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-   -   Heat traps vs check valves (https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/showthread.php?t=24902)

  • Apr 19, 2006, 08:25 AM
    woodshed
    Heat traps vs check valves
    I have installed a check valve on the cold water inlet side of my water heater (it's a Voyager 100,000 BTU, combi heater-domestic and radiant heat). I am getting convective heat tranfer in the cold water line. I'm assuming the check valve (spring type) is not designed to prevent heat transfer. Are the inline heat traps the answer? Do I need a heat trap on both the inlet and outlet pipes. I am using 1" copper on both the inlet and outlet - do they make 1" heat traps?

    Thanks,

    Rick
  • Apr 19, 2006, 12:51 PM
    speedball1
    Hey Rick,

    I hope you have a expansion tank installed on the cold water supply when you blocked it off with a check valve. Because if you haven't when the hot water expands it will trip the T&P valve and you will lose hot water out of it.

    Since most heater supplies are 3/4" I couldn't locate a 1" heat trap for you,
    However you can build your own,(see image) out of fittings or a 1" flex connection. It consists of a inverted "U". You will need heat traps on both hot and cold for best performance. Good luck, Tom
  • Apr 19, 2006, 01:00 PM
    woodshed
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1
    Hey Rick,

    I hope you have a expansion tank installed on the cold water supply when you blocked it off with a check valve. Because if you haven't when the hot water expands it will trip the T&P valve and you will lose hot water out of it.

    Since most heater supplies are 3/4" I couldn't locate a 1" heat trap for you,
    However you can build your own,(see image) out of fittings or a 1" flex connection. It consists of a inverted "U". You will need heat traps on both hot and cold for best performance. Good luck, Tom

    Tom -

    Does the expansion tank get installed before or after the check valve?
  • Apr 19, 2006, 02:35 PM
    speedball1
    "Does the expansion tank get installed before or after the check valve?"

    The expansion tank will install between the check valve and the cold water inlet of the heater. (see image) good luck, Tom
  • Apr 19, 2006, 03:40 PM
    woodshed
    Quote:

    Originally Posted by speedball1
    "Does the expansion tank get installed before or after the check valve?"

    The expansion tank will install between the check valve and the cold water inlet of the heater. (see image) good luck, Tom

    Tom -

    I could not view the image clearly; it's quite small. How do I enlarge the image?

    Also, I am on a private well - do I even need a check valve? All the older homes in my city are on a municipal water supply and none of those homes have check valves. I'm not sure of the reasson to have a check valve. Please explain. If no check valve, then do I need an expansion tank?

    Thanks,

    Rick

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