How does the water that comes out of our sink and shower faucets change temperature when we move the handle(s) back and forth? How does it know to go from hot to cold and visa versa?
In: Engineering
The handles act as controls for a valve that mixes water that comes from two different places. Water comes into your house in a Main Line. That main line sends water to the cold water points all through out your home like sinks, showers, and garden hoses. It also sends water to a hot water heater which then heats the water to approximately 120°F. Once hot, the water heater has a secondary line out, feeding heated water to all of the hot water points in the sinks, showers/tubs, and typically a washing machine. At the sink faucet, when you turn the handle, you adjust how much hot water you’re letting through and how much cold. They then mix into a single point and come out of the faucet at the resulting mixed temperature.
Latest Answers