HVAC Supplies Blog

You can find check valves in wastewater household, industrial, and commercial applications. Their function is relatively the same — to provide a one-directional flow of fluids and gasses. However, these valves come in many different types, and choosing the correct check valve can be challenging.

Now, what is a check valve and where can you use them? What are the differences between a butterfly, a ball, and a swing check valve? Blackhawk Supply will gladly explain.

This in-depth guide will explain everything you need to know about check valves and help you pick the right one for your system.

Sounds interesting? Stick with us until the end.

What Is a Check Valve?

Let’s start with the basics. What does a check valve do in the piping system?

A check valve (also known as a non-return valve) is a mechanism used for one-directional control of fluids and gasses in the pipeline. This type of valve can prevent the water hammer — a shockwave or pressure surge that can damage the piping system.

In other words, the check valve’s purpose is to prevent backflow and protect mechanical equipment in the piping.

Advantages

• Prevents water hammer (fluid pressure surge)
• Protects the piping system and its components
• Many categories and types of check valves available on the market
• Extremely durable and maintenance-free

Disadvantages

• Hard to assess the condition of the valve’s internal parts
• Difficult to understand the valve position (open or closed)
• Limited installation configurations

How Does a Check Valve Function in a Pipeline?

Now, what is the purpose of a check valve?

In short, it allows the liquids and gases to flow in one direction while blocking the backward flow. These devices usually have a spring mechanism that automatically closes the valve using the pressure of the medium flow.

Here’s how the check valve works:

• The liquid comes in contact with the check valve.
• High liquid pressure (also known as upstream or cracking pressure) increases and compresses the spring-loaded inline mechanism inside the valve.
• The spring pushes the disc (gate, ball, or diaphragm), opening the valve and allowing the fluid (or gas) to flow.
• When the pressure decreases, the spring seals the valve and stops the flow.

Proper installation is required to ensure that the flow goes in the right direction. Otherwise, the fluid or gas won’t move through the system and could even cause damage. You can identify the flow direction by the arrow markings on the valve’s housing.

What Does a Check Valve Do?

As you know, check valves are used to prevent reverse flow in piping systems. Let’s talk about how you can use it for your systems.

• Flow control in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems.
• To prevent unnecessary shutdowns of the piping system when backflow could cause a shockwave that would damage the internal equipment.
• To ensure the system contains only clean drinking water and prevent the wastewater from re-entering the system.
• Hydraulic check valves control block opposite direction flow of oil in hydraulic devices.
• To prevent liquid drainage and siphoning.
• To avoid mixing of the fluids and gasses into one stream.
• To prevent reverse flow that happens when the air pressure in secondary systems rises above the pressure in the primary system.

Check valves are used in most houses, offices, and industrial environments. Now, let’s see the two most popular categories of applications.

Water Applications

Check valves can be found in water applications, such as washing machines, filters, and aquariums. Some of the functions they perform include:

• Contamination prevention. Check valves isolate the outlet side of the valve from outside sources, such as the wastewater. Consequently, they prevent contamination and ensure that the drinking water stays clear.
• Protection against overflow. These valves block fluids from re-entering the system, eliminating the chance of an overflow and pressure surge.
• Internal pressure stabilization. Water pumping applications can stay clear from debris, keeping the internal pressure at optimal levels.
• Water discharge. Duckbill check valves prevent the discharged water from coming back into pumps when it’s turned off.

Pneumatic (Air) Applications

Pneumatic (air compressor) check valves are used for one-directional airflow. In other words, they allow the compressed air to flow into the system and prevent it from flowing back. These valves rely on pressure differential to open or close the valve.

Aircheck valves are typically used for pressure control. They allow certain parts of the compressor to be depressurized to protect internal equipment. You can find them in gas mixing systems, aerospace applications, home heating systems, aircraft hydraulic systems, and other environments.

Check Valve Types

Check valves have the same purpose, but they are available in many different types designed for specific applications. It’s important to understand the classification of check valves before you can choose the right one for your system.

Here are the most popular categories and types of these valves.

Swing Check Valve

 Jomar 105-408G S-511G, 2" Y-pattern Swing Check Valve

Swing check valves control the flow using a disc mechanism. The disc inside the valve opens and closes based on the pressure level. This type of valve is often used in firefighting and sewage systems.

Swing check valves can have a top-hinged or tilting disc mechanism.

Top-Hinged

The top-hinged swing check valve has the disc at the inner top of the device. The hinge opens the disc when the pressure increases and shuts it down as the pressure drops.

Tilting-Disc

The tilting-disc valve has a spring-loaded dome-shaped disc that opens and closes the valve almost instantaneously.

Lift Check Valves

Lift check valves have a ball or a piston that gets lifted from the pressure, allowing the valve to open and close. The applications for these valves include make-up water, N2 systems, dump lines, and feed water control in the industrial sector.

Piston

The piston in the check valve allows the fluid to flow as long as the gravitational closure keeps the pressure steady. These valves sometimes have a spring to improve the flow control.

Ball

A spring-loaded or flee-floating ball allows one-directional flow in the valve. Ball check valves have a tight seal to stop the reverse flow, making them useful for high-pressure and high-velocity applications.

Butterfly Check Valves

Stop Check Valves

Stop check valves are found in many boilers, steam generators, power plants, and safety systems.

Foot Check Valves

Hayward FV10400SA 4" PVC Foot Valve Screen

Foot check valves are used for fuel tanks, water wells, and other systems with the suction lines below the pump. They can keep the debris and liquid from getting into the system to prevent clogging, energy-wasting, and potential damage to water pumps.

Materials

Depending on the application, the components of check valves can be made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride), PP (polypropylene), stainless steel, brass, and other materials.

Brass

A brass check valve is usually found in low-pressure applications. It has great durability and works excellent for water, oil, and fuels. However, brass is less resistant to corrosion, heath, seawater.

PVC

Polyvinyl chloride material is often used in check valves in water management and irrigation systems because of its resistance to acids, chloride solutions, seawater, and other corrosive fluids. PVC shouldn’t be used for chlorinated hydrocarbons and other fluids with high temperatures (over 60 degrees Celsius).

Polypropylene

Polypropylene material has strong corrosion resistance, making them great for inorganic acids, aqueous solutions, and other media that can corrode metals. You can use them for aggressive fluids, water, and liquid food applications.

Stainless Steel

Stainless steel and titan check valves have excellent resistance to low and high temperatures, as well as corrosion. On the downside, this material is more expensive than other solutions.

How to Choose the Right Check Valve

Choosing the check valve is much easier when you know about different types of mechanisms and their applications. However, you need to consider other criteria to pick the right valve at a reasonable price:

• Risk of the water hammer in your systems.
• The highest and lowest temperature of the media.
• Maximal pressure in the system.
• Acceptable pressure loss.
• Envelope dimensions and line sizes.
• Type of fluids and material compatibility.
• Mounting orientation (vertical or horizontal).
• Accessibility of the applications (for maintenance and repairs).

Another option is to ask a professional company for help. They can assess your systems to find the safest and most cost-effective solutions for flow control.

Conclusion

The check valve is the best solution for one-directional flow control. These valves prevent backflow, eliminating potential damage from overflowing, pressure surges, and water hammers.

Choosing a check valve shouldn’t be much of a problem now that you know about their categories. However, you can always ask experts for help.

Blackhawk Supply has a wide selection of check valves including air compressors, butterflies, and ball valves. Check it out!

The humidity in your home is equally as important as the temperature. Having a too high humidity level can affect your comfort and health. So, when do you need a dehumidifier?

Do you notice water stains on walls, mold wroth, and wood rot? These are just some of the signs of when a dehumidifier is needed, but there are much more. You need to know about all of them to understand if you need this device.

Blackhawk Supply has decades of experience with air cleaners, purifiers, and dehumidifiers. We can help you answer the question: “Do I need a dehumidifier?” Moreover, we will guide you through the different dehumidifier types so you can get the best device for your home.

Sound interesting? Let’s start with potential signs of a high humidity level.

Signs Your Home Humidity Level Is Too High

High levels of indoor humidity can cause all types of problems in your home. They range from condensation on the walls to structural damage and health problems.
Let’s look at the most obvious signs you need a dehumidifier.

1. Windows Are Getting Wet from the Inside

Too much humidity in your house can create condensation. It usually happens during cold weather when the air inside is warm and too moist. As the hot indoor air touches cold glass windows, tiny water droplets build on them.

Condensation on your windows means you need to buy a dehumidifier to reduce the air moisture levels. If you ignore this problem for too long, you will notice other unpleasant consequences.

2. Water Stains On Your Walls

Condensation can affect the walls in your home. It happens when you have a high indoor temperature during cold winters if the air inside your house is too humid. As we mentioned, water droplets usually appear on windows. However, moisture can appear on the cold areas inside your walls.

If you’re thinking “My piping system can cause those problems! How do I know if I need a dehumidifier for this?” That’s why we advise calling a technician first to examine your HVAC and plumbing systems. If everything works fine — you probably need to get a dehumidifier.

3. Mildew And Mold Appear in Your House

Do you see any mold or mildew in your house? That’s a surefire sign your air is too damp.

Humid air allows airborne pollutants, such as mold spores, to spread on damp surfaces. There are many ways to learn if the humidity is causing mildew in your house:

• Strange stains on the ceiling, walls, and floor
• Mold in corners of your house
• A musty and damp air

The faster you start using a dehumidifier, the better. Otherwise, the mold spores may cause irritation and health problems.

4. You Feel Uncomfortable Indoors

Do you feel hot and sticky in your house? This may be the result of a high level of indoor humidity.

Damp air can cause several symptoms, such as:

• Stuffy nose
• Watery eyes
• Constant sweating
• Breathing difficulties

The more of these symptoms you experience, the more reasons to get a dehumidifier. Don’t put this off too long, as prolonged exposure to moist environments can even damage your health, especially if you already have respiratory problems.

5. Dampness in Your Basement

Basements often have elevated humidity levels. Sometimes, air can get damp from water leaks or insufficient insulation (during spring and fall). Moisture can also appear from inefficient HVAC or if your basement doesn’t have a return vent.

If you’ve already addressed these problems or if your basement lacks proper insulation, you can get a dehumidifier. In any case, this will be a much cheaper and effective solution to keep the air humidity level in order.

6. The Wood Is Starting to rot

Too much moisture can affect the wood in your house. If you notice any rotting wood, it’s best to act quickly and replace it. Otherwise, it may cause structural damage.

However, you can avoid these problems by keeping the indoor humidity at acceptable levels. The easiest way to do it is to install a portable or whole-house device that will dehumidify the air.

7. Large HVAC System

Bigger isn’t necessarily better when it comes to your HVAC system. We understand that oversized units are more effective for temperature control. However, if your ventilation equipment is too large for your home, it might result in excessive indoor humidity. As a result, you’ll notice all of the signs we’ve mentioned before.

What can you do to resolve this issue? For starters, you don’t need to replace your entire HVAC system. You can instead get a dehumidifier to keep the water in the air at an appropriate level.

Best Types of Dehumidifiers for Home

A good dehumidifier can maintain optimal indoor humidity, which stands somewhere between 35 percent and 55 percent depending on your preference. Our guide to dehumidifier types will tell you about the best device you can get for your home.

Portable

Portable dehumidifiers can reduce air humidity in small and medium-sized rooms (the working area should be specified by the manufacturer). This is one of the most popular dehumidifier types on the market because they are reasonably cheap and don’t require an initial setup.

Portable devices won’t be enough for the entire house. However, you can save money by moving them from room to room.

As a downside, these devices are less energy-efficient than whole-house solutions. You’ll also need to empty the water tank at least once every few days.

There are two categories of portable dehumidifiers. Refrigerant devices dehumidify the air by cooling it with fans. Desiccant devices, on the other hand, process the air and absorb moisture via a special material (for example, silica gel).

Pros

• Ready to work out of the box
• Reasonably priced
• Easy to move around
• Great for rented houses and small apartments

Cons

• Requires manual maintenance
• Not very energy efficient
• Designed for smaller rooms

Whole-House

Whole-house dehumidifiers connect to the existing ductwork. They are capable of maintaining an appropriate level of humidity in the whole house.

These devices are relatively expensive compared to portable ones. You will also need professional help to install them in your heating unit or central air system.

However, this is the best type of dehumidifier in terms of efficiency. The device works great for large spaces and houses severe humidity problems. They also require minimal maintenance and have a reasonable energy consumption level.

Pros

• Extremely effective for humidity control
• A long-lasting device that requires minimal maintenance
• Energy efficient
• Highly customizable from a wall-mounted control panel
• Don’t take space in the room
• Can work for the entire house or apartment

Cons

• Installs to the existing ductwork and requires technical skills to set up
• The initial cost can be very expensive

Conclusion

High indoor humidity can cause all sorts of nuances, structural damage, and even health problems. It’s essential to understand when you need a dehumidifier to avoid potential risk and expensive repairs.

Do you want to get an effective and reasonably priced dehumidifier for your house? Check Blackhawk Supply for a selection of humidity controllers and dehumidifiers and pick the best device for your home!

Plumbing is a part of your home’s mechanical system that requires regular maintenance and care. People who don’t pay enough attention to plumbing systems can eventually break their budget on repairs. You also have to account for the damage the leaking water can cause your neighbors. However, you can avoid these problems with a few plumbing improvement tips and tools.

Blackhawk Supply is the leading distributor of electrical and plumbing supplies with over 30 years of expertise. We want to tell you about the most accessible solutions for better plumbing and the longer service life of your equipment.

Now, here’s what you can do to improve your plumbing.

Insulate The Water Supply Pipes

The water supply pipes in exposed areas can freeze and burst. Such areas include mechanical rooms, unheated places, floor cavities, or exterior walls.

You can prevent such problems by insulating hot and cold water lines. What do you need for water pipe insulation? It’s easy:

• Grab a closed-cell rubber-based insulation product.
• Alternatively, you can get a tape material.
• Wrap the water supply pipe with tape until you cover the pipe

This will get rid of the condensation problems and eliminate mold, ensuring the pipes run at optimal thermal performance.

Install Water Hammer Arrestors

What is a water hammer arrestor, and when do you need it?

If you hear an unusual bang every time you turn off a faucet — it’s probably caused by a shock wave from the water as it suddenly stops after a valve shutoff. This issue is known as a “water hammer,” and it can break your pipe or faucet components.

The water hammer arrestor absorbs the water shock wave with a cushion of air. You can eliminate the impact of the momentum on your piping system and faucets, prolonging their service life.

Now, where to install a water hammer arrestor? The exact location depends on your piping arrangement. However, the optimal place would be at the end of the brand line between the fixtures. You can mount most arrestors vertically or horizontally.

Mount Water Softeners to Your Appliances

Water with high mineral content (like calcium, lime, or magnesium) can leave minerals in your piping system. As the minerals build up inside the pipes, they will restrict flow and corrode the joints. Naturally, this will damage your piping and appliances.

You can resolve this problem by installing a water softener system for your home’s water supply line. There are two types of softeners you can get:

• Regular softeners that deal with minerals in the water with sodium.
• Electronic softeners that dissolve minerals with electromagnetic energy.

You’ll most likely need a professional plumber to mount traditional (sodium-based) devices. On the other hand, electronic water softener installation is relatively easy — you don’t even need to open the pipes to do it.

Install a Drinking Water Purifier

Most household water contains myriads of bacteria and chemicals that can affect you and your water pipes. The reserve osmosis system and other filtration equipment will remove dangerous viruses and other contaminants from water. As a result, you’ll benefit from purified drinking water and prevent corrosion in your piping system.

You need to remember to change the filters and cartridges regularly. Filters collect harmful contaminants, and if you want to continue drinking clean water — you’ll need to invest in new ones. We recommend changing the filters every six months. However, their durability varies based on the model and manufacturer.

Set Up Water Leak Detectors

Water leaks can damage your floor, walls, and electric equipment. They can also contribute to mold and mildew, which is dangerous for your health. The worst part — leakages can remain undetected until it’s too late.

A water leak detector tool is a simple and cost-effective solution. These devices can monitor the water pressure in your plumbing systems and immediately notify you about water shutoffs and leaks. More advanced leak detectors can use WiFi to send alerts to your smartphone via the internet. Therefore, you’ll know about a problem before it becomes a catastrophe.

Smart water leak detector installation is straightforward. They usually mount near sump pumps, washers, boilers, or under sinks. After installing, you can set up the device using a smartphone app.

Add An Anti-Sweat Valve For Your Toilet

Now, what is an anti-sweat valve?

The temperature inside the bathroom gets too high, especially after taking a hot bath. This can create condensation because the water in the toilet tank is usually cold. Consequently, water can drip from the tank on walls and floor, causing mold and mildew.

An anti-sweat valve for the toilet will mix cold and hot water lines, ensuring an adequate temperature level in the toilet tank. You can regulate the temperature to make the water hotter. That will help you eliminate condensation in your bathroom.

A professional plumber can mount the valve in a matter of minutes. However, you can proceed with an anti-sweat valve installation yourself with the manual.

Check Your Water Pressure Regularly

The problems with your plumbing can be subtle. For example, the water takes too long to get warm as you shower, or the washing machine fills with water at a snail speed. This can indicate an unusually low or high water pressure.

You should keep an eye on the pressure in your pipes to avoid costly repairs. We recommend checking it at least once a year. And please, don’t hesitate to call a plumber if you have any concerns.

Conclusion

Our plumbing improvement tips should help you minimize your leakage problems and improve the service life of your appliances. Some of the tools we mentioned can be a little costly, but you’ll save much more on expensive repairs.

Blackhawk Supply offers a wide variety of plumbing devices and supplies. Choose the right tool today!

Valve actuators are common in industrial and residential sectors. Without a valve actuator, the valve won't direct or regulate the fluids. All residential and industrial valves operate on a few types of actuators: spring return and double-acting, fail-safe and non-fail-safe. But which one should you buy?

Keep reading to learn more about the advantages, disadvantages, and other specificities of these valve actuators.

What Is an Actuator Valve?

So, let's start with the basics and explain the function of valve actuators.

Every valve needs a power source to work. The valve actuator is a mechanism that provides the energy to regulate the flow of fluids.

Now, how does a valve actuator work? All pneumatic, hydraulic, and electric actuators convert the energy source into the rotary force to move the valve plug into the desired position. In simpler terms, this mechanism opens and closes the valve to allow the fluids to flow.

The operating principle depends on the energy source. Based on this principle, the actuator can be either manual (a man-powered mechanism) or automated.

The most popular automated actuators include:

• Pneumatic valve actuators: Pneumatic actuators use compressed air to power up the valve.
• Electric actuators: Electric actuators use electric current to provide torque.
• Hydraulic actuators: Hydraulic valve actuators convert fluid pressure to operate valves.

Now, let's discuss the different types of valve actuators: fail-safe and non fail-safe, spring-based and double-acting.

What Is a Fail-Safe Actuator?

Manual valve actuators convert energy to create physical motion inside the valve. With an actuator, your valve will be able to open and close, allowing the fluids to flow. Therefore, valve actuators are an essential part of the HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) and plumbing systems.

A fail-safe valve actuator is a mechanism that returns the valve to a safe position if it loses the power supply. This type of actuator is common in commercial and industrial environments because it's much more reliable.

Here's an example. If you lose electricity on a cold day, the air damper won't get stuck in the open position with a fail-safe actuator, meaning the coil won't freeze inside and break. This makes valve actuators with fail-safe mechanisms an excellent choice for applications that experience shutdowns often.

Features

• Fail-safe valve actuators have great durability and support for strong thrust and torque.

• Reduces the maintenance costs and increases the service life of valves, plumbing systems, and other HVAC appliances.

• Programmable fail-safe positioning (can either open or close after the power is cut).

• Optimizes energy consumption.

• A great option for BAS (Building Automation System) and HVAC applications that require protection against electric overloads, as well as for environments where the power can shut down often.

• Excellent choice for applications where the load is supplied to one side of the piston.

• Variety of rotary, linear, and quick running products for challenging applications.

Types

A fail-safe valve actuator should be able to return the valve to opened or closed position in case of power outages. What kind of mechanism can ensure that the valve will move to the original desired position?

The two main types of fail-safe actuators are:

• Spring-return actuators. The valve is moved to the operating position while the air compresses the spring mechanism. The energy in the spring is released after the power cuts off, either opening or closing the valve.

• Battery backup actuators (capacitors). Smaller, customizable, and more durable actuator mechanism. This actuator relies on an alternative power source to move the valve after losing connection to the power source.

The first spring-return actuators used air pressure to push the diaphragm to keep the spring compressed. Electric actuators were introduced later on and initially didn't have a fail-safe. In time, the mechanism was added to make them open or close the valve after losing the power.

Spring-return devices support up to 27,000 automation, meaning they're not the best option for frequent usage (like throttling and control applications). The battery backup actuators can take over a million automation. Plus, they cost less than standard pneumatic actuators, making them a perfect option for most systems.

What Is a Non Fail-Safe Actuator?

Now, let's talk about valve actuators without a fail-safe mechanism.

A non fail-safe actuator will keep the valve tightly secured if the valve loses connection to the power source. These actuators have excellent thrust strength that ensures the valve will retain its last position.

This type of mechanism is typically used in high thrust applications. For example, non-fail-safe valve actuators work excellent for gate movement, gas and oil applications.

Features

• Non-fail-safe actuators work great for higher torque loads and thrust applications (such as oil and gas applications).

• An excellent option for applications with the load on both working directions of the piston.

• Brushless DC motors ensure long-lasting service life and reliability.

• Minimal torque due without the speed, temperature, or performance compromises, thanks to an application-specific integrated circuit.

• Variety of models with different control types.

• Typically comes with an extended warranty (about five years or more).

• Easy to mount and set up.

What Type of Actuator Should I Get: Fail-Safe or Non-Fail-Safe?

Now, what are the pros and cons of actuators of fail-safe and non-fail safe mechanisms?

The fail-safe actuators return the valve to a pre-set position in case of a power outage. This mechanism is by far the most popular in commercial environments. They are highly reliable, straightforward, and offer the most protection for your applications.

Fail-safe actuators are best used for applications with torque loads on one side of the piston or those that require protection against overheating and freezing.

Non-fail-safe applications keep the valve in place after it loses the energy source. They are mostly used for applications with torque load on both sides of the piston, such as gate movement, oil and gas regulation equipment.

Spring Actuators vs. Double Acting Actuators

All automated valve actuators use a spring return or a double-acting mechanism. Let's see what makes them different to help you understand which one will work best for you.

Spring Return Actuator

The spring return valve actuator (also known as a single-acting actuator) delivers the compressed air or liquid to one side of the piston. The pressure creates the force that moves the spring mechanism on the other side of the valve. As a result, the spring opens and closes the valve, regulating the flow.

The single-acting actuator is the most common mechanism for flow regulation. What makes it so popular?

The advantages of these actuators include:

• Straightforward design.

• Great durability and reliability.

• Excellent fail-safe technology.

The spring return mechanism has strong thrust and torque. It's especially good for applications with a high torque load on one side of the piston.

A single-acting (spring return) actuator will either close or open the valve if it loses the energy supply. Therefore, it will work best for applications that could shut down often.

Double Acting Actuator

The double-acting actuator

mechanism delivers the energy source (liquid of compressed air) to both sides of the piston. When one side gets more pressure, it creates a movement that opens or closes the valve.

This type of valve works best for high thrust applications, such as gate movement or natural gas applications.

The double-acting valve actuators have several benefits, such as:

• Higher torque loads.

• Exceptional thrust strength.

• Keeps the valve secure in the last position in case it loses signal.

The pressure on both sides of the valve keeps it tightly secured in case of power outages. Therefore, double-acting actuators are the best option if you need the valve to retain the last position after losing power.

How to Choose the Right Actuator: Double Acting or Spring Return

Now you should know the defining characteristic between double acting and spring return actuators. But how do you pick the right one?

Let's help you choose a suitable actuator for your applications.

Torque & Thrust

Thrust strength and torque are pretty much equal in spring return and double-acting actuators. A single-acting actuator works excellent for applications where the load is supplied to one side of the piston.

In some situations, the double-acting mechanism will work better. This type of actuator is perfect for natural gas and oil applications with extreme torque load in both working flow directions.

Control

The double-acting mechanism provides the best stability overall. It's especially useful when sudden changes in process conditions are frequent.

Safety

Most system applications require the valve to be open (or closed) when the energy source is gone. The spring return actuator is the most straightforward and reliable option in these cases.

Last Position

As we mentioned, a single return actuator works best for applications where a valve should open or close after it loses power.

However, sometimes you'd want to retain the last failed position. In that case, you should go with a double-acting actuator.

Comparison Table: Spring Return vs. Double Acting Actuator

Are you short on time? Don't worry — here's our quick summary of both actuator types.

Conclusion

There's no universal solution for your valves. Single-acting and double-acting actuators have their advantages and use cases. But we hope we could shed some light on these mechanisms to help you pick the right one!

Do you want help selecting valve actuators for your systems? Blackhawk Supply offers a wide range of valve and damper actuators, and other supplies for industrial and residential buildings. Find the right equipment for your needs today!

The thermostat is an essential part of your heating and cooling system. You need the right thermostat for convenient central heating temperature control. It will also help if your temperature controller is safe and energy-efficient.

Now, finding a suitable thermostat isn’t easy. How do you choose the best one for your systems with so many temperature controllers on the market?

Great news! We know about the different temperature controllers and can help you pick the best one. Furthermore, we’ll tell you how to set up your thermostat to save more money.

Sounds interesting? Keep reading to learn more.

What Is a Thermostat?

The thermostat is a controller for your heating and cooling system. This device is essential for an HVAC system because you can’t adjust the temp settings without it.

You don’t need to learn how to use a central heating thermostat. These devices are straightforward — you just need to set the desired temperature to let them run.

Now, how do they work?

1. The thermostat sends the electricity to power the heating element in your equipment.
2. After the room temperature reaches the desired level, the thermostat will stop the electrical current, allowing the heater to cool down.
3. The process cycles automatically to sustain the temperature.

There are two categories of thermostats: low-voltage and line-voltage thermostats.

• Line-voltage thermostats use 120 or 240 Volts to work. They usually control baseboard heaters. These thermostats are connected through a single pole or a double pole wiring to the circuit breakers (or fuse boxes).
• Low-voltage thermostats need 24 Volts or fewer. Most central heating thermostats are low-voltage, and they are commonly used for electric furnaces, heat pumps, and boilers.

You can connect a central heating thermostat in several ways, depending on its type:

• Wired connection
• Connection through a transformer (to reduce the voltage)
• Wireless devices that work on batteries

Now, let’s see how a thermostat can improve your central heating equipment.

Advantages of a Central Heating Thermostat

High-quality devices can help you control temperature more effectively while allowing you to save more money. Here’s how your central heating system benefits from a thermostat:

• Control & Scheduling. You can easily adjust the temperature for selected rooms and schedule heating and hot water supply.
• Reduces Emissions. Advanced thermostats offer more precise control, allowing your equipment to produce fewer emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2).
• Energy Efficiency. You will optimize the energy consumption with accurate temp control and a programmable schedule.
• Cost Savings. Using the right equipment can save you over $100 and 700lb (320kg) of CO2 emissions yearly.

As you can see, installing advanced heating & thermostat equipment has undeniable pros. But what kind of temperature controller should you get?

Different Types of Temperature Controllers

The market offers multiple thermostat technologies for homes and commercial environments. You can choose from a basic mechanical home thermostat to an advanced smart central heating thermostat.

Let’s look at each category up-close.

Mercury Contact (Analog Thermostat)

Mercury contact thermostat has a dial of numbers indicating temperature. The device contains a glass vial (ampoule) with mercury attached to a bimetallic strip (coil). The mercury inside controls the opening and closing of the switch contact.

Analog thermostat is the most common type of household temperature controller. The simplicity, durability, and low price make them perfect for schools, elderly homes, and offices.

However, these devices lack the accuracy, energy efficiency, and customizability of electronic thermostats.

Mechanical Thermostat

The mechanical thermostat relies on the bimetallic coil strip, just like an analog device. But unlike analog thermostats, the mechanical device doesn’t contain an ampoule with mercury.

This controller uses a simple mechanical contact to control the temperature. It also includes a heat anticipator — a wire that mounts to the strip to adjust the temperature settings.

You need to remember that mechanical and analog thermostats don’t show an actual indoor temperature. They are less accurate than digital (electronic) devices. The temperature you see on mechanical thermostats is usually about five degrees different from the real one.

Digital Thermostat

Digital thermostats rely on electronic controls instead of a bimetallic coil. These devices use built-in electronic sensors to determine and control indoor temperature. Therefore, digital room thermostats for central heating provide a more accurate control than analog and mechanical devices.

Digital devices also feature easily understandable LED displays for more convenient control. You can change modes (like heating, cooling, and fan), temperature settings and turn the heating system OFF with a few clicks. However, these devices are not as advanced as programmable thermostats.

Electronic Programmable (Smart) Thermostat

Smart (programmable) thermostats are an upgrade over digital devices with more useful features. Now, what is a programmable thermostat?

Central heating programmable room thermostats allow you to control the temperature and work schedules for different areas. And the best part — these devices make it possible to manage your central heating systems using computers or mobile devices. With some smart thermostats, you can control your heating equipment from any part of the world via the Internet.

Automatization is another thing that makes smart thermostats different from digital controllers. Advanced devices learn from user’s choices to optimize temperature, hot water control, and energy usage.

Thermostatic Radiator Valve

When describing what a thermostatic valve radiator is, we should mention that this device doesn’t control the boiler valve. Instead, thermostatic radiator valves (TRV) manages the hot water flow in the radiator.

TRVs are connected to the side of the radiator. They usually have numeric symbols (from zero to six) representing the level of produced heat. The central heating radiator thermostat senses the air temperature surrounding it to keep the water temperature on the desired level.

Some TRVs can be connected to smart thermostats, allowing you to monitor and control the radiator’s heat level remotely using a mobile device.

Cylinder Thermostat (Boiler Thermostat)

A cylinder (boiler) thermostat controls the level of heat supply in the water tanks.

These devices are straightforward and work similarly to TRVs. You need to set the desired water temperature level on the thermostat. The controller will sense the temperature inside the tank and automatically switch the heating ON and OFF. Thus, the water in the tanks will remain as hot as you need it.

Just as TRVs, some cylinder thermostats can connect to smart devices for remote control.

How to Set Up a New Thermostat

Let’s assume that you’ve got a suitable thermostat for your heating system or boiler. Right now, you might be thinking, “How do I set my central heating thermostat?”

Here’s a couple of things to keep in mind as you install new equipment:

• Keep your thermostat out of direct sunlight because sun rays can prevent it from reading the indoor temperature accurately.
• The best places to put a thermostat for central heating should have good airflow for more precise measurements.
• Set the minimal temp setting before installing a thermostat and let it work for a couple of hours (this can help you avoid condensation problems).

You shouldn’t hesitate to ask for professional help. For example, replacing old boilers with gas combi devices can be difficult even for seasoned specialists.

Central Heating Thermostat Temperature Settings

The right thermostat settings will create a comfortable indoor environment. Moreover, it will reduce energy consumption and CO2 emissions.

Do you want to set the best temperature for your central heating thermostat? Here are some rules for the perfect settings:

• Keep the temperature above 13 and below 30 degrees Celsius (from 55 to 86 degrees Fahrenheit) during warm seasons.
• The recommended central heating thermostat setting for colder seasons stands at around 20 degrees Celsius (86 degrees Fahrenheit).
• Try not to set the temperature up when you feel too cold.
• Make it a habit to activate your heating equipment early in the day, as it will warm your rooms faster.

A few more tips for people who use programmable (smart) thermostats. Set them up to turn on about 30 minutes before you wake up. And if your house is empty during work hours — schedule the thermostat to start working about 30 minutes before you return home.

Conclusion

Choosing the proper central heating temperature controls and using them correctly will improve your comfort and help you save money. And so will replacing mechanical thermostats with energy-efficient electronic programmable technology.

Blackhawk Supply offers a wide range of central heating thermostats for everyone. Pick the best equipment for your home or workplace today!