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A manifesto on shower temperature control

benholmen.com

151–160 of 176 posts

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#151

I'm obsessed with showers and also wonder why we are so spectacularly bad at making consistently good showerheads with consistently good pressure and temperature control. One issue the author overlooks is that we have minimal control over the temperature of the cold water, and this temperature fluctuates throughout the year (at least here in NY, not so much where I lived in SF). As a result, the range of the dial I u…

We have central hot water, and in winter hot water is incredibly hot, because the thermo-power station runs high.

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#152
post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you car has an Eco or Power or Sport mode this is probably what it does. On my Toyota, Power mode makes the accelerator more sensitive and Eco mode makes it less sensitive (which is great for snow). Flooring it is the same, regardless of the mode.

I haven't owned a car with them, but I thought those modes were to control when the gear shifts happen. Sport will optimize acceleration while eco will change up sooner to save fuel

My car has them, but it is a hybrid with planetary gear, so would not make sense for it.

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#153

This is one of many problems with the lack of innovation in the home in the last 40 years. Being a former IOT UXE I've been fascinated with this space. It's too bad my pitches never took off.

There's no lack of innovation in the home. It's just that Americans refuse to adopt any of the innovations that have become commonplace in the last 40 years.

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#155

Much of the confusion in this thread comes down to the fact that in the US, the standard shower valve is a 'pressure-balanced' valve, which allows you to select a flow-ratio between hot and cold feeds, but does not in itself maintain any particular temperature - it just ensures that in the event of pressure changes on one or other feed, the overall mix is maintained (preventing temperature spikes if someone flushes a…

As an aside, I just want any form of mixing tap for my sink in the UK, but apparently that’s still too much to ask for in many buildings here so I’m left with the separate hot/cold taps that are inevitably too far away to sort of “splash together.”

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#156

Much of the confusion in this thread comes down to the fact that in the US, the standard shower valve is a 'pressure-balanced' valve, which allows you to select a flow-ratio between hot and cold feeds, but does not in itself maintain any particular temperature - it just ensures that in the event of pressure changes on one or other feed, the overall mix is maintained (preventing temperature spikes if someone flushes a…

As an aside, I just want any form of mixing tap for my sink in the UK, but apparently that’s still too much to ask for in many buildings here so I’m left with the separate hot/cold taps that are inevitably too far away to sort of “splash together.”

Go to IKEA. Buy mixer tap. Install mixer tap?

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#157

Much of the confusion in this thread comes down to the fact that in the US, the standard shower valve is a 'pressure-balanced' valve, which allows you to select a flow-ratio between hot and cold feeds, but does not in itself maintain any particular temperature - it just ensures that in the event of pressure changes on one or other feed, the overall mix is maintained (preventing temperature spikes if someone flushes a…

As an aside, I just want any form of mixing tap for my sink in the UK, but apparently that’s still too much to ask for in many buildings here so I’m left with the separate hot/cold taps that are inevitably too far away to sort of “splash together.”

Mandatory Giphy: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/5p9xfs/wash_yo_hands/

Also mandatory explanation why UK historically has had 2 taps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHgUu_8KgA

Which in the end is understandable. It's outdated.

What isn't understandable is having the light switch OUTSIDE of the friggin' restroom.

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#158
post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Get this and install by the heater: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B08R1HKZ78/ or this: https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B09V7MDZHF under the sink. There's a remote available also. By sure and carefully read the details - there is an "E" model, be sure and understand the difference and pick the right kind for your setup.

I have everything I need, I just need the position of the expansion tank confirmed.

I'm kind of confused on the question since you said "expansion tank". Which I guess is used because of a check valve - but that's if you put a check valve to the cold water back to the city, which isn't really part of a recirculation installation. A check valve for the recirculation should not need an expansion tank.

A heat pump water heater will not work well with this mixing valve - just pipe the hot water direct to where it's needed, don't mix it with cold. A heat pump doesn't really want to make very very hot water, unlike fuel heat. This valve is meant for you to heat the water extra extra hot, then mix it. It's used when you have a small tank, and a lot of usage. It wastes energy, but gives you more hot water.

It's just a bad idea to mix with a heat pump which much prefers lower water temperature.

And using this mixing valve with a recirculating pump can't possibly work. This valve adds cold water, but a recirculating valve circulates the same volume of water, and does not add any. There's simply no way that it can work - it's impossible. Do you get why?

Are you planning on having the recirculating pump always on, or do you prefer to press a button and wait a short time for the hot water? I ask because if you prefer the first type, you really want a dedicated return pipe for it. The second type can use the existing cold water pipe for return, but even then works much better with a dedicated return.

Without a dedicated return line you never have cold water, the cold water is always warm because when you turn on the cold water, some hot water flows via the pump, and to your faucet.

The expansion tank should be connected directly to the hot output of the heater before any mixing valves or recirculating stuff.

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As an aside, I just want any form of mixing tap for my sink in the UK, but apparently that’s still too much to ask for in many buildings here so I’m left with the separate hot/cold taps that are inevitably too far away to sort of “splash together.”

Mandatory Giphy: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/5p9xfs/wash_yo_hands/ Also mandatory explanation why UK historically has had 2 taps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHgUu_8KgA Which in the end is understandable. It's outdated. What isn't understandable is having the light switch OUTSIDE of the friggin' restroom.

Because that’s where there’s light to find the switch ;)

Seriously I’ve never had a problem with the switch being inside or outside as long as it’s by the door

Re: A manifesto on shower temperature control

#160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Mandatory Giphy: https://www.reddit.com/r/gifs/comments/5p9xfs/wash_yo_hands/ Also mandatory explanation why UK historically has had 2 taps: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HfHgUu_8KgA Which in the end is understandable. It's outdated. What isn't understandable is having the light switch OUTSIDE of the friggin' restroom.

Because that’s where there’s light to find the switch ;) Seriously I’ve never had a problem with the switch being inside or outside as long as it’s by the door

Here's a scenario: you took a nice long hot bath. It got dark outside. You get out and want to turn on the light. Do you want to open the door and let the cold air in? Do you need to cover yourself first?
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