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Low-flow showerhead changed the temperature and flow
Could a low-flow showerhead affect how a thermostatic mixing valve performs, or would a sudden change in temperature or flow point more toward the valve or installation?
Would it help to compare whether the symptom occurs with both the old and low-flow heads, and whether it affects hot and cold settings equally? I’m also curious which specifications matter most for compatibility, particularly the valve’s minimum flow requirement.
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3 replies
A low-flow head could affect temperature stability if the actual flow through it drops below the valve’s stated minimum; the head’s rated flow is a useful comparison, though the delivered flow can vary with supply conditions. If the change is abrupt or happens with either head, I’d be less inclined to blame the head alone and would keep the valve or installation in the picture. Neither pattern proves the cause.
Yes - comparing the old and low-flow heads under similar conditions would be useful. If the symptom appears only with the low-flow head, that makes its interaction with the valve’s operating range more plausible; if it happens with both, I’d give the head less weight. Neither pattern by itself separates a valve fault from an installation issue.
Whether it happens on both hot and cold settings could add another clue: a problem mainly at one setting would make me look more closely at that side’s supply or how the valve is balancing it, while a change across settings could fit a broader flow or valve issue. Neither pattern settles the cause, but it helps distinguish what to check next.
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