A Mixing Valve Could Give You Way More Hot Water
If your home constantly runs out of hot water, you’re not alone. Many households assume they need a bigger tank — but a simple thermostatic mixing valve can dramatically increase your available hot water without replacing your entire system. This small, affordable upgrade blends hot and cold water to achieve a safe, consistent temperature while stretching the capacity of your water heater.
At John Shelton Plumbing, we help homeowners in Plum, Monroeville, Murrysville, Export, and Delmont, and surrounding Alle-Kiski Valley areas get more reliable hot water through simple upgrades like mixing valves.
What Is a Thermostatic Mixing Valve?
A thermostatic mixing valve is installed where your hot and cold water lines meet at the top of your water heater. The valve blends hot water from your tank with cold water to achieve a steady, safe temperature — usually around 120°F.
Instead of sending extremely hot water directly into your home, the valve moderates the temperature and stretches your tank’s capacity at the same time.
3 Major Benefits of Installing a Mixing Valve
1. Protects Your Family From Scalding
Even when a tank is set to a specific temperature, internal fluctuations can cause dangerously hot water to come through your fixtures. A mixing valve stabilizes the temperature, reducing the risk of scalding — especially important for children and older adults.
2. Dramatically Increases Your Hot Water Supply
This is the biggest benefit for most homeowners. When your tank is set higher (such as 150°F), the valve blends hot and cold water together, meaning you use less of the actual hot water from the tank.
The result? A standard tank suddenly performs like a larger, high-capacity heater — sometimes giving you up to 50% more usable hot water.
- Longer showers without running cold
- Better performance for multi-story homes
- Improved water supply when multiple fixtures run at once
If your family routinely fights over hot water, a mixing valve can be a game changer.
3. Helps Prevent Harmful Bacteria Growth
Lower water temperatures (around 120°F) can allow bacteria like Legionella to grow inside a water heater. By keeping the tank hotter — while still mixing it down to a safe delivery temperature — you protect your system from bacterial risk and keep your family safer.
Is a Mixing Valve Right for Your Home?
Most tank-style water heaters are compatible, and installation is typically quick and affordable. Homeowners who benefit the most include those who:
- Run out of hot water quickly
- Have larger families using multiple fixtures
- Have multi-story bathrooms with cold shower issues
- Want greater efficiency without replacing the tank