How to Reduce Water Pressure to 20 PSI
Reducing the pressure of your water service will not only save you money, it will help the environment as well. All that is required of you to do this is install what is called a pressure reducing valve (PRV). A PRV will effectively reduce the pressure of your water service from the existing pressure down to 20 PSI if you would like. If your water pressure is really high (in the area of 150 to 200 PSI), you should install two separate PRVs to reduce the pressure in steps rather than all at once. Does this Spark an idea?
Things You'll Need
- Hack saw or tubing cutter
- Pressure reducing valve
- Various fittings to complete the installation
Instructions
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1
Turn the main water supply to the home off at the water main valve. Open hot and cold water faucets anywhere in the house to relieve pressure on the plumbing.
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2
Cut into the house plumbing. Use a hack saw to do this if your plumbing is made of galvanized metal pipe or a tubing cutter if copper pipe was used during the plumbing installation. You will want to keep high pressure values where the hose bibs branch off to the exterior of your home, so cut into the plumbing after these branches branch off of the main water line.
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3
Assemble the pressure reducing valve attachments according to the plumbing needs of the home so the pressure reducing valve (PRV) will easily attach to the existing plumbing. Other fittings may be required to complete the installation. Visit your local plumbing retailer for more information about the fittings that are available in your area.
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4
Install the PRV, so the water will flow through the valve in the direction of the arrow indicated on the housing of the valve.
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5
Reduce the pressure of the PRV down to 20 PSI. PRVs are factory-set to reduce pressure to 50 PSI upon installation. Loosen the outer nut on the adjustment bolt and turn the bolt counter clockwise to reduce the pressure to 20 PSI.
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References
Resources
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