Horne Thermostatic Mixing Valves & Thermostatic Showers: Press Releases

Thermostatic mixing valves (TMVs) generally feature three connections. One for the hot water supply, one for the cold water supply and one for the mixed water outlet. But this has now changed with the recent introduction of the 4th Connection: another new innovation from Horne Engineering.

Horne Engineering has been manufacturing TMVs since the early 1920s and now offers a range of TMVs from 15mm (1/2") to 50mm (2") as well as thermostatic showe valves. The smallest and most compact of the range, the HORNE 15 TMV is used to control water at safe and comfortable temperatures, usually at wash hand basins and this product features a high mechanical specification, which includes integral isolating valves, check valves, swivel inlet connections and full capacity fine mesh strainers.

The 4th Connection is the very latest in a long line of developments, which creates further benefits from the mechanical specification already featured on the HORNE 15 TMV.

The 4th Connection is a second outlet which allows cold water from the TMV to be taken to the cold tap. Crucially this connection is downstream of the integral ball valve and strainer on the cold side of the TMV. This means that the cold tap can be isolated for servicing by means of the integral ball valve and, perhaps most importantly, the cold tap is protected by the TMV's fine mesh, stainless steel strainer.

Because the strainer is designed and specified by Horne as being optimal for the purpose of protecting the internal mechanism of the TMV from the ingress of dirt, it also protects the internal mechanism of the cold tap.

All of this is acheived without the need for any additional fittings and a significant reduction in labour is designed to give significant cost savings.

In addition to the parts and labour savings, there are other benefits. Contractors have commented that cold taps, particularly those that feature ceramic disc technology, often appear on the snagging lists before project completion due to dirt and debris entering the tap mechanism.

The 4th Connection protects the tap from this and should give contractors for greater confidence that this common, costly and time consuming problem will be greatly reduced or eliminated entirely. By taking control of this type of detail, the threat of unforseen costs undermining the costs of the project is also controlled.

The 4th Connection is a very simple and easy solution, which gives the integral ball valve and strainer more of a job to do - making the HORNE 15 do even more for your money.