3 port valves in airing cupboard

How many 3 port valves do you have? In a domestic setting, you should only have one 3 port valve. It looks like a silver box mounted on top of a T-Shaped valve, with 3 pipes going to it. This system is called a Y-Plan system. You may have 2 port valves fitted. In this case there will be at least 2, one for the heating and one for the hot water. These are silver boxes mounted on a brass valve, but with only 2 pipes going to it. This system is called an S-Plan system. The water in the cylinder should ideally remain at around 55-60 degrees most of the time. This heat will sometimes pass back along the pipework to the valves, although if this is happening, ideally you should have the pipework altered to prevent this. When the system is on and the boiler is providing heat, the valves and pipework will get to around 70-80 degrees, and this is normal. The pipes should, however, be insulated to prevent heat from being lost and wasted from the pipework. Have you considered posting this as a job on MyBuilder so you can have a professional come out and give the system a check and maybe service the boiler too? It will give you peace of mind that everything is safe and the boiler service may save you a bit on your heating bill.

Hi. The valve will be hot if the heating or hot water is running but if it's hot when they are off you have a problem. hope this helps. peter walsh (newhome interiors)