16 00:00:00-05-2022
Updated on
17 00:00:00-05-2022
Why choose a thermostatic mixer tap over a mechanical one? What is its purpose? How does it work? This type of tap ensures regulation and safety. Thermostatic mixer taps are designed to provide a consistent water temperature, preventing sudden bursts of hot or cold water. This is particularly important for households with children or elderly individuals, where scalding can be a significant risk. These taps also help conserve water by delivering the desired temperature quickly, reducing the amount of water wasted while waiting for it to warm up. The inner workings of a thermostatic mixer involve a thermostatic cartridge that regulates the mix of hot and cold water to maintain the set temperature. This technology ensures a comfortable and safe experience, making thermostatic mixers a valuable addition to any modern bathroom. Let's explore the features, benefits, and maintenance of thermostatic mixer taps to help you make an informed decision.
The thermostatic mixer tap
A thermostatic mixer tap is a piece of plumbing equipment in the house. It is mainly used in the bathroom. It is the most advanced version of taps, whether in terms of regulation, temperature or flow rate.
One control is used to adjust the pressure and water. The other is used to adjust the temperature to the nearest degree.
What is a thermostatic mixer tap for?
This type of mixer tap is used to regulate the temperature of water automatically. The water coming out of the tap will always be the same temperature, regardless of fluctuations in the water system. Even if someone uses water in another room, it will not affect the temperature of the thermostatic mixer.
The second advantage is that it saves water. There is no need to adjust the water like on a mechanical mixer tap for several minutes to find the ideal temperature.
Finally, safety is largely ensured by the thermostat. In the event of a cold water cut-off, the thermostat instantly stops the flow of water to prevent burns.
How does a thermostatic mixer tap work?
The operating principle of the thermostatic mixer tap is based on the thermostatic cartridge. It is the cartridge that regulates the hot and cold water to have water at the desired temperature.
The thermostatic cartridge can be a bimetallic strip or with wax. Its operating principle is simple. It is with the expansion of the wax (or the bimetallic strip) that the mixed water will always have the same temperature.
If the water comes out at a temperature lower than the desired temperature, then the wax retracts and consequently allows more hot water to pass through. Conversely, too high a temperature dilates the wax and closes the hot water to allow more cold water to pass through.
With this technology, the water is always at the right temperature.
It is important to choose a mixer tap carefully so that it fulfills its role perfectly.
What is the difference with a mechanical mixer tap?
To adjust a mechanical tap, simply position the lever to have the desired temperature and pressure. However, the temperature may vary. The lever being easily accessible, a false movement can disrupt it and cause burns.
The advantages of the mechanical mixer tap are as follows:
● An attractive price thanks to their simple design
● They are simple and robust
● Assembly is easy
The disadvantages of the mechanical mixer tap:
● There is a risk of burns
● The water inlets must be in the correct order
● The variation in temperature is not pleasant
The advantages
The thermostatic mixer tap has a large number of advantages.
The first being that it regulates the temperature in an optimal and comfortable way. This is an asset for the bath or shower.
Secondly, it is the most secure type of tap with anti-scald protection and temperature limiter.
The water savings made with a thermostatic mixer tap are not negligible.
The disadvantages
The thermostatic tap has two main disadvantages.
To begin with, its price is higher than for a standard tap. Although this can be offset by saving water.
The second disadvantage is the layout of the inlets in the house. The hot water should be on the left and the cold water on the right. The design of the thermostat does not allow to switch between the two. There are still thermostatic mixer taps with inverted inlets, but they are even more expensive and difficult to find.
Where to install a thermostatic mixer tap?
Thanks to the comfort and performance of mixer taps, they are most often found for showers and bathtubs. They are rarer in the kitchen and almost non-existent for washbasins.
They are also installed at the outlet of water heaters to limit the temperature of the domestic hot water system.
How to maintain a thermostatic mixer tap?
In order to properly maintain a thermostatic mixer tap, simply clean it with a dry cloth regularly so that limescale does not build up on it.
If the adjustment becomes stiff, it should be dismantled and the seals cleaned or even changed, as they may be scaled up.
In conclusion
A thermostatic mixer tap is efficient, comfortable, but more expensive than a mechanical mixer tap. This type of tap regulates the temperature with the thermostatic cartridge and produces hot water at a constant temperature.
