Proper water pressure means effective irrigation without wasting a drop.
Whether you’re managing a large agricultural operation, maintaining a commercial landscape, or simply keeping your home garden thriving, understanding and controlling water pressure can mean the difference between efficient water usage and costly system failures.
Too much pressure can lead to blown pipes, damaged sprinkler heads, and wasted water through misting and evaporation. Too little pressure results in inadequate coverage, poor uniformity, and unhealthy plants.
At the heart of water pressure management lies a crucial component: the pressure-reducing valve (PRV).
As the name suggests, it reduces incoming water pressure to safer, more manageable levels. In this article, we’ll dive into how pressure-reducing valves work and share a list of the top 10 PRVs you can use for irrigation.
What Is a Pressure Reducing Valve?
Pressure Reducing Valve regulates the flowing water to more manageable outgoing pressure.
Unlike the regular valve, which completely stops or lets the water supply. Pressure Reducing Valve acts as a throttling device, creating a controlled pressure drop that protects downstream components from excessive pressure while maintaining consistent water pressure regardless of fluctuations in the incoming pressure.
How Does PRV Work?
Many mechanisms make PRVs work both elegant and efficiently:
Spring-Loaded Diaphragm:
Most PRVs use a diaphragm or piston connected to a spring mechanism.
Pressure Sensing:
The diaphragm responds to downstream pressure, moving against the spring force.
Automatic Adjustment:
When downstream pressure rises above the set point, the diaphragm moves to partially close the valve, restricting flow and reducing pressure.
Dynamic Equilibrium:
The valve maintains equilibrium between spring tension (set by adjustment) and downstream pressure forces.
Now you know the working mechanism of PRVs. It’s time to look at some top PRVs available on the market.
Top 10 Pressure Reducing Valves
RVGUARD RV Water Pressure Regulator Valve
This led free water pressure regulator valve comes with the gauge and inlet filter.
RVGUARD comes with two filters: one external filter that is connected to the water source and another inlet filter that further filters out impurities in the water.
PRV is designed with 3/4″ garden hose thread. It is compatible with all American water sources, easy to use.
You can easily adjust the water pressure by turning the screwdriver. Turn clockwise to increase pressure, and turn counterclockwise to decrease pressure. The water pressure can be seen on the gauge, which is necessary for RVs, campers, and travel trailers.
Watts LF25AUB-Z3 Water Pressure Reducing Valve
This PRV is designed for industrial purposes. However, you can use it for irrigation and many residential activities.
Watts is designed to water supply pressures range of 25 to 75 psi (172 to 517 kPa) with the standard setting at 50 psi (345 kPa).
To adjust the water pressure, you have to use the screwdriver, but the PRV does not offer a built-in gauge to show the water pressure. You can install one if you want it.
Also, know that all parts of PRV are quickly and easily serviceable without removing the valve from the line.
The standard bypass feature permits the flow of water back through the valve into the main when pressures, due to thermal expansion on the outlet side of the valve, exceed the pressure in the main supply.
Cash Acme 3/4 Inch EB45 Single Union Pressure Regulating Valve
This is a simple PRV without any fancy features and components. You just install and set up the pressure.
Water control valve is constructed with durable lead-free bronze for long-lasting reliability.
Having similar design and working patterns of traditional water regulators using spring chamber and adjusting screws, the water pressure regulator is set to 45 PSI, and can be adjusted between 10-70 PSI. Suited for either cold or hot (to 180 degrees F) water service.
Easy to install modular cartridge design reduces the number of parts requiring service: quick and easy service, repair, and replacement.
FASBET Water Pressure Regulator 1/2 inch with Gauge
As in the name it is a PRV that is suitable for the ½ (¾ option available) inch hose.
FASBET pressure regulators withstand the 1.6 MPa water pressure and come with a gauge for showcasing the pressure.
This pressure regulator does not have a screw to adjust the pressure; instead, it gives a wrench for easy adjusting the pressure.
You can use this wrench to regulate the water pressure by turning the clockwise to increase and counter clockwise to reduce the pressure.
The pressure-reducing valve has a piston structure with a simple internal structure, which is suitable for various environments, good working performance, and long service life.
U.S. Solid Water Regulator Valve
Unlike the above ones, where you have to use either a screwdriver or a wrench, this regulator valve has the option to adjust pressure by hand using the knob (a screwdriver variant is also available).
All you have to do is rotate the knob clockwise to increase the pressure and rotate the knob counterclockwise to decrease the pressure. This regulator allows you to adjust your water pressure from 0 to 160 psi.
Like all the above regulators, this is also made of brass and has an inlet-screened filter to filter the water, and comes with rubber washers in female ends to prevent leakage because the threads are not tapered and are not used to create a seal.
To know the current water pressure, a stainless steel gauge contains oil to reduce the friction of internal components and greatly expand the lifespan of the product.
Apollo Valves ApolloPEX 3/4″ Bronze Double Union PEX Water Pressure Regulator
This simple-looking ¾ water pressure regulator is Handel’s about 140 psi pressure, factory-set at 50 psi, and adjustable from 15 – 75 psi.
There are no tools needed to adjust water pressure, and the color-coded gauge helps you know the low, normal and extreme water pressure.
Double union PEX-B barb design for a simple and fast installation in any PEX-B piping system.
Apollo valve is certified to ASSE 1003 and CSA B356 and listed by ASSE and IAPMO (cUPC).
MEASUREMAN Adjustable Lead-Free Brass RV Water Pressure Regulator
Water Pressure Regulation is precisely done with the patented handle for easy adjustment using the MEASUREMAN.
Having the oil-filled gauge for consistency, stable reading of pressure, and the interior and exterior filters to filter the water.
Comes with a 3/4” hose female inlet and a 3/4” hose male outlet, compatible with all standard US water sources for seamless integration.
Using the handle for easy adjustment, this water pressure regulator ensures precise pressure regulation for RVs, campers, trailers, gardens, and plumbing systems.
Hourleey Water Pressure Regulator Valve
This led free water pressure regulator valve comes in the two variants one is screw adjusted another is handwheel adjusted only having the $3 difference.
Valves can be raised from 0 to 160 psi. You can easily select the required pressure to protect the piping system by adjusting the screw on the top of the regulator.
Made of lead-free brass, the product’s lead content is less than 0.13%, far lower than the lead-free standard required by NSF.
The water pressure can be seen with a pressure gauge, which is necessary for RVs, campers, and travel trailers.
Zurn Wilkins 114-NR3XLDULU Pressure Reducing Valve
Zurn pressure-reducing valve, mainly designed for the commercial touch.
Quality integral stainless steel strainer screens hold up over time.
Using the Zurn Wilkins, you can reduce your water usage by up to 33%. The handy and practical valve design helps you to easily convert the water pressure from 100 PSI to 50 PSI, allowing you to reduce your water bill and energy heating cost.
Zurbs threaded bell resists corrosion and provides easy access to cartridge internals and Short lay length and compact design installs in tight spaces.
Camco Brass Marine/ Water Pressure Regulator
This water pressure regulator is a bit different from the above one because it doesn’t have any pressure regulation valve.
Camco automatically ensures your pipes are safe using the built-in PSI Guard, preset at 40-50 PSI for automatic burst protection. (Maximum incoming pressure is 125 PSI).
They’re focusing on the RVs to buy the product expertly crafted. This Patented RV Accessory has undergone extensive testing and quality control to meet the highest standards.
The pressure comes preset for optimal water flow, protecting your valuable equipment and extending its lifespan. Installation is a breeze with standard garden hose threads.
Last Words…
These are the top PRVs you can use in your irrigation operation. Keep in mind that every PRV on this list is lead-free and has less impact on the environment.
Despite that, whether managing a small residential garden or a large agricultural operation, understanding and implementing proper pressure management through PRVs offers immediate and long-term benefits.
The initial investment in quality pressure management equipment pays dividends through reduced water bills, lower maintenance costs, extended system lifespan, and improved plant health.
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