What is a thermostatic faucet?
November 2023

What is a thermostatic faucet?
The most important feature that distinguishes a thermostatic faucet from other bathroom mixer taps is that it allows us to maintain the desired temperature while taking a shower or filling a bathtub. Its technology, in just a few seconds, enables us to set and then maintain the optimal water temperature, offering a number of advantages that will be discussed a little further. Thermostatic faucets are usually installed in the shower or at the bathtub, but being so practical, this solution is also used for washbasins. Where does such popularity come from and how does a thermostatic faucet work?
How does a thermostatic faucet work?
The main principle of operation is very simple - the faucet mixes hot and cold water together so that it reaches the selected temperature. It is maintained regardless of the water pressure. In regular mixer taps, to set the temperature, we have to manually regulate the hot and cold water valves. This is sometimes time-consuming and onerous, especially when we just want to take a quick shower. Besides, while we regulate the temperature, the water runs, and thus it’s wasted.
The thermostatic faucet and its peculiar design solve this problem. The most important elements of its structure are the thermostatic head and the thermostatic valve. The valve is responsible for mixing hot and cold water until it reaches the required temperature, while the thermostatic head responds to any deviations in temperature and keeps it steady. The design of the thermostatic faucet involves the use of thermal expansion. Inside is a material that reacts to heat, and expands or contracts depending on what temperature affects it. The change in its volume translates into the thermostatic valve opening or closing. This happens spontaneously, so manual temperature regulation is not needed.
The importance of correct installation
The thermostatic faucet is one of those items whose performance largely depends on correct installation. The installation is not complicated and you can take care of it yourself. However, since it requires a certain amount of knowledge and skills, it’s recommended that this work be entrusted to an expert with experience in this area.

Benefits of a thermostatic faucet
Now that we know what a thermostatic faucet is, let’s take a closer look at why it’s worth spending more on fittings of this kind. There are quite a lot of benefits of this solution, indeed. Here are some of those that are mentioned most often.
Steady water temperature
This property of the thermostatic faucet came up several times before, and this is the main reason to be interested in this variant. Quickly after opening the tap, the water reaches the right temperature, and it won’t change even if the pressure in the system changes. Thus there’s no risk that cold or hot water suddenly touches your skin.
Increased safety
Since there is no worry about the water being too hot or too cold, safety of use is significantly increased. This is especially important in homes with young children and the elderly. Both kids and seniors aren’t always able to regulate the temperature by themselves. The difficulty of setting the optimal temperature in their case considerably increases the risk of scalding. With a thermostatic faucet, this won’t be the case, as rapid temperature changes won’t occur.
More savings
One of the advantages of such faucets is that they use less water and energy, reducing bills and increasing savings. It’s estimated that savings on water and energy consumption can increase by up to 60%.
Convenience of use
All the above features and benefits of a thermostatic faucet are related to another advantage of this solution - convenience. All we need to do is turn on the water, and the device will almost instantly set the desired temperature. Even when taking a long shower or filling a bathtub, there’s no worry that at some point cold water will start running.
Modern design
When planning a bathroom renovation, the first consideration is to ensure that it’s functional. However, the variety of bathroom sanitary ware and furnishings encourages us to experiment a little bit more to create a refined arrangement. What comes first is the selection of the most important pieces of sanitary ware: shower stall, bathtub, washbasin. Good quality products, like walk-in showers and modular cabins are offered by SanSwiss, the manufacturer of shower enclosures and shower trays. Next comes the selection of bathroom faucets that suit the decor and sanitary ware. The fittings can be stylish and elegant too, and the thermostatic faucet is a perfect example of this. So it doesn’t only determine comfort and safety, but it can also improve the aesthetic value of the bathroom.
Concealed or surface-mounted thermostatic faucet?
Looking through the models available on the market, we can find two basic types of thermostatic faucets: concealed and surface-mounted. The first ones are a great option for bathrooms decorated in minimalist or contemporary style. In such arrangements less is more, where colors and decorations are limited. Concealed faucets are basically undetectable, and the whole installation is located behind the tiles. What’s visible in the case of shower is just the hand shower or rain shower head.
The surface-mounted thermostatic faucets, on the other hand, work well in places where the fittings also have decorative value. This variant is a great choice for classic or retro interiors. Then it’s worth focusing on stylized and decorated models, and the faucet will certainly add to the atmosphere.
What to keep in mind when purchasing faucets?
Before purchase, it’s necessary to specify what design style the interior will have, what are the expectations of the users and the capabilities of the bathroom itself. It’s also worth verifying reviews of the individual models to choose a faucet that will serve for a long time. It’s best to focus on well-regarded manufacturers. This is especially important in the case of concealed faucets, which are hard to get to without stripping the tiles.
Summary
Knowing what a thermostatic faucet is, how it works and what are its benefits, more and more people choose it. This is a modern proposal that can be applied in any bathroom. All we need to do is decide what design style will be in the interior, determine whether it should be a concealed or surface-mounted faucet, and choose the right model. Opting for a good device and a respected manufacturer, you can be sure that the thermostatic faucet will provide convenience of use for a long time.