The following lines were added (+) and removed (-):
Disc piston as a design was replaced by a spool type pressure balance valve. In the spool design the spool itself slides towards the supply with the lower pressure. This cuts off the volume of water entering the valve on the high pressure side and allows more water from the low pressure side. Output water temp cannot vary more than 3 degrees. There tends to be much less mechanical motion in this design.Disc piston as a design was replaced by a spool type pressure balance valve. In the spool design the spool itself slides towards the supply with the lower pressure. This cuts off the volume of water entering the valve on the high pressure side and allows more water from the low pressure side. Output water temp cannot vary more than three degrees. There tends to be much less mechanical motion in this design.A thermostatic control valve prevents high output temperature regardless of input and outlet variations and demand variations. This type of valve can be installed directly on the hot water heater. There are also local to the fixture installations, such as directly at the shower.A thermostatic control valve prevents high output temperature regardless of input and outlet variations and demand variations. This type of valve can be installed directly on the hot water heater. There are also exists a "local to the fixture" type, such as directly at the shower or sink. High end shower controls now use a thermostatic control valve design.When installed at the fixture, such as in the shower, the thermostatic valve will have two handles. Of the two handles one controls the mix of hot and cold, and the other controls the volume of water passing through the valve. The volume control is also how the water is turned completely off. The mixing valve in the thermostatic valve senses the temperature of the water, and constantly adjusts the mix to maintain the temperature selected. It is not necessary to turn the mix handle to turn off or on the water. Once the bather selects a temperature, the valve will automatically go to that temperature again when the water is turned on.When installed at the fixture, such as in the shower, the thermostatic valve will have two handles. Of the two handles one controls the mix of hot and cold, and the other controls the volume of water passing through the valve. The water volume control is also how the water is turned completely off. The mixing valve in the thermostatic valve senses the temperature of the water, and constantly adjusts the mix to maintain the temperature selected. It is not necessary to turn the mix handle to turn off or on the water. Once the bather selects a temperature, the valve will remain at that temperature again when the water is turned on. You leave that control set at the temperature you like, and unless another family member moves it, the temperature will be the same next time you shower.Shutting off the water as a quick response to cold or hot pressure loss is another function of the thermostatic mixing valve. They often use a wax thermostat for regulation. Shutting off the water as a quick response to cold or hot pressure loss is another function of the thermostatic mixing valve. They often use a wax thermostat for regulation. If pressure suddenly drops on the cold water supply line, hot water will be shut off at the valve preventing the bather from getting burned. When a mixing valve is installed on the hot water heater, it will open to mix in a little cold when the temperate of the hot water exceeds a certain threshold. The homeowner can inadvertently have a hot water heater temperature set higher than this threshold. The valve then is constantly allowing some cold water to flow into the hot water line to compensate. This results in wasted energy. The homeowner is paying for water to be heated higher than what is necessary while the mixing valve is removing the excess heat after water exists from the hot water heater to the fixture.When a mixing valve is installed on the hot water heater, it will open to mix in a little cold when the temperate of the hot water exceeds a certain threshold. The homeowner can inadvertently have a hot water heater temperature set higher than this threshold. The valve then is constantly allowing some cold water to flow into the hot water line to compensate when there is water flow movement. This results in wasted energy. The homeowner is paying for water to be heated higher than what is necessary while the mixing valve is removing the excess heat after water exits from the hot water heater to the fixture.These devices are not without their pitfalls. One major concern is the increase in overall expense to the homeowner. There are many homes where the hot water heater temperature is not set high enough to cause dangerous scalding. It is not necessary to have a hot water heater with a setting above 120 degrees, and it is actually quite sensible to have it set at 110 degrees. This saves the homeowner money. These devices are not without their pitfalls. One major concern is the increase in overall expense to the homeowner. There are many homes where the hot water heater temperature is not set high enough to cause dangerous scalding. It is not necessary to have a hot water heater with a setting above 120 degrees, and it is actually quite sensible to have it set at 110 degrees. This saves the homeowner money. It is a myth that showering or washing dishes at higher temperatures within the limitations of what human skin can tolerate will be any more effective at killing bacteria as opposed to water at a safe lower temperature.