How does a thermostatic shower valve work?

Thermostatic taps are incredibly popular these days, and for good reason. In this blog, we will tell you all about this type of tap and how it works.

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Bathroom and Tile Inspiration Bathroom inspirationHow does a thermostatic shower valve work?

Shower tapshave traditionally been two-handle mixer taps, but nowadays almost everyone opts for a thermostatic tap. Do you already have a thermostatic shower tap yourself at home? Then you know how wonderful it is, such a tap that 'knows' exactly how hot you want your shower water to be and mixes it for you at that temperature. A thermostatic tap is convenient and water-saving. You set the temperature and the tap does the work. You don't have to endlessly turn the handles to adjust.

It is also very nice with children. Athermostatic tapusually has a limiter. This means that the maximum temperature of the water is limited to (usually) 50°C. The water cannot get any hotter and so you cannot burn yourself on too hot water. It also often has a blocking device at a maximum water temperature of 38°C. If you still want to take a hotter shower, you can do so by temporarily unblocking it. When setting a lower temperature, the lock will be activated again. So it's safe and easy!

Operation of thermostatic shower valve

Have you ever wondered exactly how thatthermostatic shower valveworks? We are happy to explain it to you, because it is quite special. Thethermostatic mixer, usually called a thermostatic mixer for short, is fitted with a thermostat. It controls one of the two supplies (usually the cold one) automatically, depending on the position of the other supply (the hot one), which is set by hand. This is done in such a way that the temperature of the water maintains the set value.

The principle of operation is a coil of a metal made in such a way that the length of that coil depends on the temperature. At the different heights of the spiral are attached a kind of sliders that (partially) shut off the water flows.So they are positioned so that when the coil expands, less hot water and more cold water can flow through. And if the coil shrinks, the opposite happens. Using the control knob for setting the desired temperature, you move the coil a little, so that a different ratio of hot and cold water flows through the inlets.

Thermostatic mixers in the showroom

The big advantage of the thermostatic shower valve is its comfort. You set the water temperature once, and it is delivered again and again, regardless of the pipe pressure and flow rate. Looking for a thermostatic shower valve? Then come to Maxaro. We have plenty of choice in beautiful affordable taps. Visit one of our showrooms or the webshop!