National Home Inspector Practice Exam

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Study for the National Home Inspector Exam. Explore comprehensive questions with detailed explanations. Prepare effectively and ace your exam!

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When a water heater thermostat is set at 140 °F or higher, a ______ should be installed to temper the water.

Temperature probe
Mixing probe
Mixing valve
Temper valve

The correct answer is: Mixing valve

Setting a water heater thermostat at 140 °F or higher increases the risk of scalding, especially for vulnerable populations like children and the elderly. To help mitigate this risk, a mixing valve should be installed to temper the water. A mixing valve works by blending hot water from the water heater with cold water, thus reducing the temperature of the water that flows out of the taps without lowering the water heater's overall temperature. This ensures that the water coming out of faucets is at a safer temperature for use, while still allowing the water heater to operate efficiently. The use of a mixing valve is a common safety measure in plumbing systems that allows households to maintain safe water temperatures, enhancing user safety and preventing scalding injuries. This is particularly necessary when the thermostat is set to higher temperatures, as those can create a hazardous situation if users are unaware of the hotter temperature output.