Thermostatic or Pressure Balance? Choose the shower type that suits you!

Thermostatic or Pressure Balance? Choose the shower type that suits you!

As times changed, humans constantly found evolved methods to maintain their personal hygiene. Taking a shower is one of the most essential activities of the day and shares the same importance as that of eating. The first ever modern shower in history was founded back in 1767 and later became common by the 1930s-40s. It’s 2022; by now showers have gone through a plethora of modernisations and the working of a shower has also become more seamless over the years.

If you’re planning to move into a new house, renovate your bathroom or just looking for a new shower, it’s imperative for you to know about the two most popular types of showers – Thermostatic Showers and Pressure Balance Showers. When buying or installing a new shower, it’s recommended to know all about the basic distinction in the two types. 

Here’s all you need to know about the differences between Thermostatic Showers & Pressure Balance Showers, and some of their key features:

Volume Control

Thermostatic Showers – Fix a temperature and choose the volume!

Temperature and volume are two of the most integral components of a shower, and Thermostatic Showers have two separate handles for controlling both these components. The most blissful aspect in such showers is that you can choose the temperature of your liking and set it on the thermostatic mixer. Once your selected temperature is set, you won’t have to worry about getting the perfect temperature the next time you set foot inside the bathroom. Of course, if you’re in the mood for a different temperature of water, you can always set it again. Regardless of the water temperature you set on the thermostatic shower, the flow volume remains unaffected and gives you the joy of showering the way you want. Similarly, it won’t matter what volume you set your shower water to be, the temperature will remain constant.

Thanks to the fact that thermostatic showers come with two separate handles for controlling volume and temperature, you can comfortably use multiple shower heads simultaneously for the most amazing shower experience. Check out our Thermostatic Mixer with 6 Diverters and you’ll know what we mean!

Pressure Balance Showers – Temperature and Volume are interdependent.

In case of Pressure Balance Showers, both the volume and the temperature of the water can be controlled using a single handle, unlike Thermostatic showers. The volume of the water and water temperature are interdependent, as the temperature depends on the volume of the water and the volume is influenced by the water temperature. Also, if there is any fluctuation in the water temperature, there is bound to be a fall in the pressure of the water. Upon turning on a pressure balance shower, you will notice that the flow of water is bleak and has a colder temperature than desired. However, as you turn the lever further, the temperature rises in sync with the volume or flow of the water. 

If you’re looking to have a more invigorating shower experience overall, with body jets, hand-held showers etc. as additional functions to the shower head, then in that case Pressure Balance Showers are not for you! Unfortunately, the pressure balance valve does not support a shower’s multiple functions simultaneously.

Temperature Control

Thermostatic Showers – Seamlessly takes care of temperature stability

Just as the name suggests, the temperature of water remains stable in case of Thermostatic Showers. In order for you to experience the ideal water temperature during a shower, thermostatic valves do the job of mixing hot and cold water in the most balanced manner by sensing the water temperature. This is one of the biggest highlights of a Thermostatic Shower as you and your family will never be at the risk of scalding due to any unanticipated temperature dip or rise! Once you’ve set a temperature on your shower control, rest assured that no matter how cold or hot you’ve set your water heater’s level, it will never go below or exceed the set temperature.

So whether it’s day time or a shower at night, you can enjoy it at the temperature of your liking – just set it and forget it!

Pressure Balance Showers – Sensing the cold to hot pressure ratio

Instead of dealing with the actual water temperature, the primary function of pressure balance valves is to sense the ratio of pressure between the hot and cold water that makes its way from the pipes. For instance, if you’d like to have a hot water bath with your pressure balance shower, the pressure of water in the cold pipe will significantly decrease, due to which a lesser volume of cold water will then reach the shower valve – leading to hotter water released from the shower. Modern day pressure balance showers can sense a fluctuation in the cold-hot water ratio and manipulate the flow of hot water.

So if a toilet flushes while you’re showering, be ready to experience the water flowing at much lower pressure, as the toilet would be refilling with cold water. However, you’re not likely to face any sudden hot water attacks from your shower. 

Which one is easier to use?

If you’ve ever used a Pressure Balance Shower, you certainly would vouch for the fact that user-friendliness is not its strongest card. It can get more than annoying when you have to keep fidgeting around with the shower knobs to get the desired temperature. 

On the other hand, Thermostatic Showers are extremely easy to use; all you have to do is set it once at the temperature of your liking and it’ll remain constant till the next time your temperature preferences change. 

What’s more budget-friendly? 

This is where pressure balance showers have the upper hand, as they’re way more economically priced compared to thermostatic showers. 

Now that you have adequate information about the various features and key differences between pressure balance showers and thermostatic showers, we hope you choose the most suitable shower type for your bathroom!

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