What Is a Thermostatic Shower? (& How to Fit It!)

If you’re looking to update your bathroom, your attention might be on the shower area, and the many different shower supplies you can install.

In this blog, we’ll be answering ‘what is a thermostatic shower?’ specifically, a brilliant addition to your home.

So, let’s take a look.

What is a thermostatic shower?

A thermostatic mixer shower draws water from hot and cold water supplies, combining or ‘mixing’ the two different flows to achieve the perfect temperature as you shower. 

Unlike manual mixer showers, they avoid the fuss of changing the temperature whenever you enter the shower. Because thermostatic showers automatically revert to a temperature that you have set, you’ll never have to suffer through bursts of cold water or a shower that never has that ‘just right’ feeling. This is already one advantage that makes them so great!

It’s important to note that no two thermostatic showers are the same, at least visually. They come in a variety of different brands and designs to suit any bathroom aesthetic. 

Keep your eyes peeled when browsing through showers for your personal bathroom or a bathroom to be commercially installed. Projects vary between exposed and concealed models.

How does a thermostatic shower work?

A thermostatic mixer shower works in a surprisingly simple way. Rather than depend on two separate taps, it depends on a synchronised mixer valve and a balanced water supply. 

Without stable water pressure, mixer showers can’t work at their best.

The Mixer Valve

The valve is the most important component of a mixer shower. A thermostatic mixer valve is what automatically combines the hot and cold water for you, creating the perfect shower temperature. It can instantly react to changes in water temperature to adjust the mixed water back to the temperature you’d prefer. 

The Water Supply

A bathroom’s hot and cold water supply must be at the same pressure for a thermostatic mixer shower to work. Or, if not at the exact same pressure, the water pressure must be consistent. 

This is because, if the incoming water pressure changes at all, the mixer valve cannot mix the hot and cold water at the same rate. This leads to slip-ups like scalding water when you least expect it, or freezing cold. 

But, there’s no need to worry! Managing your water pressure is fairly simple. 

Does a thermostatic shower need a power supply?

Thermostatic showers rely on mains pressure, so they do not need a power supply.

Advantages of thermostatic showers

How a thermostatic shower works is fairly straightforward, but what about the advantages of such a system? Some of the finest benefits of a mixer shower include: 

• Improved water efficiency – Some thermostatic showers are fitted with water-saving technologies like flow restrictors. Flow restrictors can limit your shower duration and reduce water usage to improve your water efficiency and save money.
• Enhanced temperature control – A thermostatic shower means that you can finetune the temperature you’d like for your shower as precisely as possible. Their regulation of water temperature avoids hazards such as scalding, too.
• Convenience – Thermostatic showers are extremely convenient! Because they are so customisable, these showers maximise your personal comfort from the moment you turn on the showerhead. 
• A safer and more durable shower – Thermostatic mixer showers are consistent in their temperature and pressure. This consistency makes thermostatic showers safer and more durable. Plus, automatic shut-off features prevent in-shower accidents and water wastage.

How to go about fitting a thermostatic mixer shower

Fitting a thermostatic mixer shower is simple when carried out by a professional. 

Still, for those interested in the commercial installation of a thermostatic mixer shower, it’s important to be familiar with the process. 

You should always go about fitting a mixer shower as follows:

Step One: Isolate the water supply

Before fitting a mixer shower, always isolate your main water supply by turning off the water main. 

Step Two: Mark out the position of your shower 

Decide where you’d like your mixer shower to go by using a pencil and tape measure against your wall. There should be enough available room for the showerhead and body to fit well, and it shouldn’t be far away from good water supplies.

Step Three: Cut the pipe and install the mixer valve

Using pipe cutters, cut your shower pipe to the right length. This should tee into the hot and cold water supplies that you’ve chosen. Proceed to install the thermostatic valve (or valves) for your shower. 

You can drill holes for the valve on either side of your mixer shower. It must fit flush to the pipe, as described below. 

Step Four: Connect the pipe

You can connect your shower pipe and thermostatic valve using plastic and copper connectors purchased from a reputable bathroom supplier. These connections should be tight and immovable.

Step Five: Install the shower head

The last thing you need to do is install your shower head! Always use the instructions provided by the manufacturer of your mixer shower. Check that it rests at the right height for you, and turn on the water main to check that your shower is working once done.

For professional installation of a thermostatic mixer shower, look no further than Boro Bathroom’s bathroom fitters in Bury and Rochdale. Our fitters bring dream bathrooms to life every day.