When selecting automatic balancing valves or manual balancing valves to balance a water system, some may find the difference in features between the two confusing – and the answer as to which option is the better choice unclear.  Each of these systems has benefits and drawbacks, and which is right for your project will depend on your needs.

It’s important to keep a water system in balance, meaning that the water flow throughout the entire system is in line with the exact flow rates specified for the system’s design.  Using manual balancing valves helps balance this system by utilizing manual, adjustable stems so that the system’s installer can set the valves to the perfect specifications.  With features like circular slide rules to calculate circuit flow based on pressure readout differences, other fittings designed to aid in the reading of differential pressure, and rising or nonrising stems to adjust, choosing the right settings and adjusting all valves properly is quite an acheivable task.

An automatic balancing valve, however, utilizes a moving element within the measuring orifice of the valve to read pressure differences and regulates the flow of water to a preset value.  The obvious benefit of this is that the installer does not need to perfectly calibrate each valve to the exact settings necessary to regulate flow.  While an automatic balancing valve system is generally more expensive than a manual system, the time saved and reduced pumping cost of an automatic system can – in many cases – make up for the extra cost of the parts.

Each engineer may have a preference and choose valves based on the project or a preferred method.  For more information on pipe and valve options from leading provider Flo-Pac LLC, visit www.flopacllc.com.