Imagine stepping under the shower and getting blasted with cold water. Well, that’s one way to jolt yourself awake. But it’s not something many people would welcome. There are several factors that affect the water temperature. And believe it or not, your shower head could be the culprit.
A shower head is made up of various plumbing components, any of which can affect how cold or hot the water is. In this article, we will explore in more detail how a shower head can affect water temperature.
Here’s Whether Shower Head Can Affect Water Temperature:
Yes! Shower head can control the water pressure and that can affect the water temperature, When the water pressure is high, the water feels much hotter. And when the water pressure is low, the water tends to be cooler.
Why Does My Shower Water Change Temperature?
When you alter the volume of hot water and cold water, the temperature of the water that emerges from the shower tends to fluctuate. This may happen due to various reasons. Let us have a look at a few of them.
Water Heater
If the size of the water heater is too small in comparison to the usage of the quantity of water you require, there is a possibility that the water tank will run out of water or lead to inconsistent water temperatures.
Most showers consume at least two gallons of water per minute. If you have a small water heater, the water will obviously be depleted sooner and you will run out of hot water unexpectedly while taking a shower.
Water Pipes
It is possible that the water coming out from a specific water pipe in your house can affect the temperature of the water that comes out from another pipe. For instance, if a kitchen faucet has been turned on to get a supply of hot water, the temperature of the shower water can become cooler.
Thermostat
If the water heater’s thermostat breaks down, the water heater will produce excessively hot water, which can be dangerous. The thermostat will disperse water at an inaccurate and unsuitable temperature, different from the temperature that has been initially set by the user.
If you suspect your water heater’s thermostat is malfunctioning, it is best you get it checked out and repaired or replaced by a professional so that you can regulate the temperature and prevent the thermostat from constantly tripping.
Pressure-Balancing Valves
When the thermostatic mixing valve malfunctions, it prevents the proper mixing of hot and cold water. This results in the shower head dispersing boiling hot or freezing cold water instead.
The opening and closing of the pressure balancing valves depend on the volume and pressure of the water that runs through the water pipe. When the valve functionals improperly, the pressure of the water is affected.
When the water pressure drops or alters, a change in the temperature of the water can also be noticed.
What Controls The Water Temperature In The Shower?
The temperature of water in the shower is controlled with the help of a thermostatic shower valve or a pressure-balance mixing valve.
Thermostatic Shower Valve
A thermostatic shower valve utilizes two handles to control the flow and the temperature of the water. It alters the temperature of the water to a certain degree by calculating the temperature of the water.
With a thermostatic shower valve, you have the option of setting a specific temperature. This will ensure that the water will not become hotter or colder and will remain consistent throughout your shower.
You can also regulate the flow of water as per your requirement, and the pressure of the exerted water remains constant. This helps to conserve water and prevent any sudden changes in the water temperature.
Benefits:
- Protects the water from getting scalded.
- Consistent water temperature is ensured.
- Water can be set at a high temperature.
Pressure-Balancing Mixing Valve
A pressure-balancing mixing valve uses a single handle to manage the flow and temperature of the water. It is a manually operated valve that changes the temperature of the water as per the direction in which the faucet is moved.
The temperature of the water is maintained by mixing both hot and cold water in a consistent and balanced proportion. A pressure-balancing mixing valve regulates the pressure of the water to balance the water temperature.
A pressure-balancing mixing valve can only be used to regulate the temperature of the water and not the flow of water.
Benefits:
- Compared to thermostatic shower valves, pressure-balancing mixing valves are much cheaper.
- Easier to use.
- Offers protection from scalding.
Tip: To check if your shower valve is working and to gauge its accuracy, run hot water from any tap in your house and take its thermometer reading several times. If you observe any fluctuations in the temperature, adjust your valve’s setting accordingly.
Can A Shower Head Change Water Temperature?
A shower head affects the pressure of the water, as a result of which the water temperature can also get affected.
When the water pressure is high, the water feels much hotter. And when the water pressure is low, the water tends to be cooler.
You can adjust the water pressure by regulating the shower head. When the volume and the pressure are equally high as per your adjustments, you will observe that the water feels much warmer.
Water heaters also play a significant role in determining if a shower head can change the water temperature.
If you have a water heater with the capacity of 50-liter gallons, it will give approximately 33 gallons of hot water, which is 2/3rd of its capacity. Let’s say your typical water consumption in the shower is 2.5 gallons per minute. In such a case, you will be able to enjoy hot water for a maximum of 20 minutes until the temperature significantly drops. So, if the water consumption is increased to 5 gallons per minute, the hot water will last only for 8 to 10 minutes.
Can Shower Head Cause Cold Water?
There are many reasons that can make the temperature of the water dip down and turn the shower unpleasantly cold. Here are some of them:
1. When the mixer valve is broken or is clogged with calcium remains, it will prevent the hot and cold water from blending sufficiently. This will affect the temperature of the water, and you will be exposed to colder showers.
2. A water heater comes with a fixed amount of water that it can heat and supply within a certain period. If all the heated water is used up, the shower heads will emanate cold water until you heat up the water again. To avoid the hot water from running out quickly while you take a shower, make sure not to run any other appliances that might be consuming water simultaneously.
3. If the water heater’s circuit breaker is defective or constantly dripping, it will prevent the water from getting heated, and the shower heads will produce cold water.
4. If a thermostatic valve is not set at an accurate temperature, the ratio of hot water to cold water will be inaccurate. This will make the shower head give out colder water.
Do High-pressure Shower Heads Use More Hot Water?
Yes, high-pressure shower heads use more hot water.
High-pressure shower heads deliver a strong and powerful flow of water. They come with the option of using different spray patterns that can help control the temperature of the water better. However, there are two significant drawbacks associated with such shower heads:
- In comparison to low-pressure shower heads, they consume more water.
- Because they are bad at conserving water and require more energy to heat higher quantities of water, they are not energy-efficient. In the long run, they can be pretty expensive.
Will A Low-flow Shower Head Make Hot Water Last Longer?
A low-flow shower head delivers a restricted flow of water and consumes less hot water, thus making it last longer. Such shower heads also have smaller holes, so the water takes longer to gush out of them. Because a smaller quantity of water emanates from the shower head, water can be easily managed, and less energy is consumed to heat up water again and again.
Wrapping Up
The two significant reasons that affect the temperature of water emanating from a shower head are — fluctuating water pressure and the accumulation of hard water residue leading to a clogged-up shower head. The best way to overcome shower head issues is to get them replaced or repaired without delay.
