On 10/5/2011 10:55 AM, sf wrote:
> On Wed, 05 Oct 2011 09:59:57 -0400, James Silverton
> > wrote:
>
>> It is probably a bit OT (except when I make a mistake and come close to
>> scalding myself) but I wonder why single handle controls in showers have
>> a vast range of adjustment for temperature? Usually, both in mine and in
>> hotels, the control can be rotated a half circle (180 degrees) but all
>> the acceptable temperatures are within a 10 to 20 degree rotation and
>> the rest is useless except perhaps for full cold in summer.
>
> I think you need to replace your shower faucet, modern single handle
> controls have an anti-scald feature. That's why you (or at least "I")
> can't buy two knobs anymore. Your other option is to turn down the
> temperature in your water heater. You're wasting energy heating it up
> so high anyway.
>
My shower control *is* less then 10 years old and you are missing the
point. While compensation for variation in water flow is almost
immediate, it's not how to control the temperature but the rather
peculiar, less than useful, control setting. One wants about 140F for
dish and clothes washing but I wouldn't take a shower at that
temperature and I wonder how much time and water I waste getting the
temperature right using miniscule rotations especially at times like now
when the cold water temperature is changing. I did come across a shower
control in France marked with temperature but it took a long time to
stabilize and I don't think it was particularly accurate.

--


James Silverton, Potomac

I'm *not*