Expert Review - Anti-Scald Valve (Under-the-Sink Type)

Expert Review – Anti-Scald Valve
(Under-the-Sink Type)

Watts USG-B Thermostatic Valve

	MANUFACTURER
	Watts (watts.com)
	COST
	$70 - $100 plus installation costs.
	VENDORS
	Local and online plumbing stores This Caring Home's Anti-Scald Valve Installation. We hired a plumber who hadn't installed this type of valve before. It took him 2 hours, including a trip to the local hardware store to pick up additional materials. Our copper piping was one-half inch but the valve required one-quarter inch, so the plumber had to buy 2 extra valves and 2 extra tubes. We, of course, were not expecting this. But we now have water flowing out of the hot faucet at a safe temperature. We set it for a maximum 110 degrees; previously it was a whopping 150 degrees! Our installation charge: $125.00 Before Extra Parts Needed After (valve & fun paint job)
	DISCLAIMER
	The listing of these products is for informational purposes and individuals must use their own caution and judgment when using these resources. Functional levels and changes in judgment and reasoning are highly variable in people with dementia. Interventions must be individualized and continually assessed because those that are effective for some individuals may only work briefly and may not work at all for others.

	DESCRIPTION
	This valve is installed on the water pipes under the sink and mixes cold water into the hot water pipe to a safe pre-set maximum temperature before it flows out of the faucet. Referred to as "point of use" tempering valves or thermostatic mixing valves. TIP You'll need to tell the plumber the maximum hot water temperature you'd like at the tap. Consider 110º F, the maximum temperature allowed in nursing homes.
	PROS
	In your own home, you can set the hot water heater at the higher temperature (140º F) necessary to reduce risk of bacterial growth in the hot water tank. It's especially helpful for apartment dwellers who do not have access to the hot water heater. You determine the maximum hot water temperature before it flows out of the faucet. You can reset the water temperate if needed. The valve has a safety cap to protect against unwanted meddling.
	CONS
	Installation. 1. The instructions say to "remove" piping, so we were surprised when the existing pipes had to be cut. The instructions should have said that you needed "to cut and replace existing pipes." The instructions do not give any warnings to check the size of your existing pipes to see if they match the size of the valve openings (as our did not).
	TIP It would be easy to misplace the small hex wrench needed to lock/unlock the valve handle to change the water temperature, so be sure to store in a safe place!