variable shower temperature and pressure

[jordana]

Hi Everybody,

We have moved into an apartment that has recently had the shower changed. The replacement shower is a Triton power shower with a variable thermostat control.

We kept the setting on 6 out of 10 and the water temperature was fine for a couple of months. We did notice however, that the higher the thermostat setting, the lower the pressure from very hard at 1 to a dribble at 10.

However, now when we get into the shower, the temperature is fine on 6 for about 2 minutes then becomes cold. We have to turn the temperature to 10 to have some hot water. However, this results in very little pressure. After about 2 minutes, the shower can be turned back to about 6 with warm water but then again gets cold and we need to turn it back to 10.

I have two questions.

Firstly, is it normal that the higher the thermostat, the lower the shower pressure?

Also what is causing us to have variable water temperatures?

Thanks

Di

 

[Softus]

Firstly, is it normal that the higher the thermostat, the lower the shower pressure?

Firstly, the thing you refer to as "pressure" is actually "flow rate" - a common mistake, and I'm being picky only to avoid future ambiguity.

If you have a Triton electric shower, i.e. a shower that takes cold water directly from the mains, heats it, and controls the temperature of the water than comes out, then the answer is "yes".

Also what is causing us to have variable water temperatures?

You need to know two things with this type of shower:

1. The means of controlling the output temperature is to restrict the output flow - the more time the water spends being heated up, the hotter it gets. Think of it as a kettle on the wall - it really is that crude and simple.

2. Any given model of shower can only put a specific amount heat energy into a certain amount of water; this results in a rise in temperature with defined limitations. So, water that arrives at 20 degC might be heated to a maximum of, say, 40 degC, but when the incoming water is only 10 degC, the maximum temperature would be merely 30 degC (at the same flow rate).

From this simplistic explanation you should be able to see that in the summertime, when the weather is fine, your shower may be pleasurable, whereas in the winter, when the incoming water is distinctly arctic, you'll be wishing you'd had a bath instead.