Pressure-balancing valves definitely help, but I've found thermostatic mixing valves to be even more effective—especially if you're aiming for energy efficiency. Installed one last year, and it maintains a consistent temperature without wasting water while adjusting. A bit pricier upfront, but worth it in the long run. Curious if anyone's compared their water usage before and after installing these valves...does it noticeably reduce consumption?
I installed thermostatic valves in a couple of my rental units about two years ago, mostly because tenants kept complaining about the dreaded "toilet flush freeze." Honestly, I didn't even think about water usage at first—I just wanted fewer tenant calls at odd hours. But your question got me thinking...
Looking back, I did notice a slight dip in water bills, but it wasn't dramatic enough to immediately jump out at me. Maybe 5-10% lower? Hard to say exactly, since tenants' habits vary so much. One family was super conscious about water use already, while another seemed to think showers were a competitive sport.
What I did notice clearly was fewer complaints and happier tenants overall. So even if the water savings aren't huge, reducing tenant frustration (and those late-night calls!) made it worthwhile for me. Curious though—did you track your usage closely before installing yours, or are you just noticing a general improvement?
I didn't track water usage closely before installing mine either, but I definitely noticed fewer tenant complaints afterward. Like you said, the water savings weren't exactly groundbreaking, but the peace of mind was priceless. One tenant used to joke that showering was like playing roulette—never knew when you'd get hit with icy water! Thermostatic valves solved that completely. I'd say it's worth it just for happier tenants and fewer headaches overall.
"One tenant used to joke that showering was like playing roulette—never knew when you'd get hit with icy water!"
Haha, that's spot on. I've seen tenants practically sprint out of showers yelling like they're being chased by bees. Thermostatic valves are definitely the way to go—simple fix, big relief.
Haha, thermostatic valves are definitely helpful, but don't overlook the plumbing itself. If your pipes are undersized or poorly routed, even a good valve won't fully solve the issue. Had this happen at my old place—installed a thermostatic valve thinking it'd fix everything, but nope...still got occasional cold shocks. Ended up upgrading to larger diameter supply lines and insulating hot water pipes. Bit more work upfront, but totally worth it for consistent temps and peace of mind.
