What is the difference between pressure balance vs. thermostatic faucets?
Single-control pressure-balance valves sense the CHANGE IN THE ratio of cold and hot water as the user turns the handle. A pressure-balance valve does not sense the actual temperature of the water, just the ratio of hot to cold water supplied to the valve. The bather must select the temperature of the shower each time it is used. Thermostatic valves have two handles, one that controls the mix of hot and cold, and another that turns the water on and off, and controls the volume of water passing through the valve. The mixing valve in thermostatic valve senses the temperature of the water, and constantly adjusts the mix OF HOT AND COLD to maintain the temperature selected. It is not necessary to turn the mix handle to turn the water on or off. Once the bather selects a temperature, the valve will automatically go to that temperature again when the water is turned on.
