Electric showers

Home

Product Galleries

Tips and Advice

The greatest advantage of the electric shower is that it can provide a hot shower when your heating or boiler is switched off. Water is heated within an small electrically powered boiler inside the shower casing as it is required, so the only plumbing connection is to the cold water main. The cold supply does need to be mains pressure to enable the shower to work properly. A low pressure will not be sufficient to force water through the heating boiler.

	The electric shower works well where the hot supply is on gravity, and is particularly good in a bungalow where gravity hot water is usually very low pressure. It can also be a good solution for an en-suit or a second bathroom.
	The main contronl on the shower actually adjusts the water flow rate. As the flow rate is increased, the temperature will become lower. Reducing the flow rate will result in a higher temperature.
	The sliding rail type shower handset, with a variable spray pattern is supplied with most electric showers.
	The higher a power rating (electrical consumption) of the shower, the easier it will be to have a hot shower with a powerful flow. Generally a shower rated at 7.5Kw or higher will provide a reasonably good shower, but the versions rated at around 10Kw will provide a more powerful shower stream at a hot temperature.

 

These high power consumption figures mean that the electric shower requires a heavy duty power supply. At least 6mm cable is required, and sometimes 10mm for the more powerful showers. If you are replacing an electric shower, you still might have to renew the electrical supply, particularly if the new shower is mor powerful than the old. It is essential to consult a qualified eletrician about installing an electric shower.

On balance you might consider that the cost of providing an electrical supply out-weighs any advantage of the simple plumbing. Generally speaking, the distance from the bathroom to your electric meter and fuse board will influence the cost of providing the required electrical supply. Consider also the running costs in relation to how your water is normally heated. If you have a regular supply of hot water or a combination boiler, an electric shower is probably not your best option. But for a low pressuresupply it is well worth consideration.

Electric showers * Mixer showers * Shower pumps * Shower heads * Shower columns

Hot water systems * Showers home * Shower galleries