Thermostatic vs Pressure Balanced Shower Valves: What's the Difference?
You might have heard the terms "thermostatic" and "pressure balanced" before without truly knowing what they mean. This article discusses the difference between these systems and why thermostatic shower valves are becoming more desirable.
Pressure balanced shower fixtures change your water temperature based on their connection to your hot and cold water supply lines. Because they're connected to these water lines, this means if something connected to the same water line is used (e.g. a toilet is flushed or sink gets turned on), the pressure balanced valve will shift with the changing water pressure to maintain your temperature. This is done through an internal piston that is able to restrict hot or cold water flow in order to create a certain temperature. From the user's side, pressure balanced valves are controlled with a singular knob that turns to the temperature and also turns water and off. They take a few seconds to rise to temperature and can fluctuate in temperature if the water pressure in your household is fluctuating a lot.
Thermostatic shower fixtures are also connected to your water lines, but they have another layer that makes their temperature systems superior: an inner wax element. This wax element is able to keep the water temperature at your desired level within one degree. Rather than reacting to water pressure within your home, the wax element is able to mix and divert the hot and cold mix to stay accurate, and the water can be turned all the way down to a trickle without changing the temperature. The temperature control handle comes together with a separate diverter handle that turns your shower on and off and diverts the water between your rain and handheld shower heads. This means that every time you turn on your water, it's already set to the temperature you like. All you have to do is turn the knob to direct your water to the rain head or handheld. Thermostatic fixtures also come with built in temperature safety features, requiring the user to press in a button on the handle to turn it above a certain temperature.
If you're looking for a safer shower system, an easier shower system, a more functional shower system, or just a nicer shower system, a thermostatic shower system should be your pick!