Showering is a daily ritual that most of us partake in, but have you ever stopped to consider the different types of showers available to choose from?
From the simplicity of electric showers to the luxury of digital showers, there is a wide range of options to suit every preference and need. In this blog post we will explore the various types of showers, including Electric Showers, Power Showers, Mixer Showers, and Digital Showers.
We will delve into the unique features, advantages, and disadvantages of each and considerations to help you determine the best shower option for your home.
Electric Showers
Electric showers are an efficient and cost-effective way to get hot water in the shower. They work by heating up cold water as it passes through the unit, so there’s no need for a separate storage tank of hot water.
The advantages of an electric shower include near-instant hot water, energy efficiency, and lower running costs compared to other types of showers. However, be aware that electric showers can draw a lot of power and use more electricity than other types of showers. This can lead to higher bills if you’re not careful with your usage.
What is an electric shower?
You may be wondering what an electric shower is – it’s a great way to get your daily dose of cleanliness!
An electric shower is a mains pressure shower that heats water as it passes through the unit, rather than relying on stored hot water like other types of showers. This type of shower uses electricity to warm up the cold water supply, meaning no pre-heating or storage tank is required.
They normally feature control for temperature and flow rate, allowing users to customise their shower experience. Electric showers are easy to install and use very little energy compared to other types of showers, making them a cost-effective solution for those looking for an efficient and reliable option.
Advantages of an electric shower
An electric shower offers a convenient and efficient way to shower, without requiring pre-heating or an additional storage tank. Electric showers use mains-fed water directly from the main water supply, unlike power showers which draw water from a separate storage device such as a hot water cylinder.
This means that you can save energy by not having to wait for hot water to be generated before you take your shower. Furthermore, with electric showers you avoid the expense of maintaining a separate storage tank for hot water.
Another advantage of an electric shower is that they are usually less expensive than other types of showers such as power showers or mixer showers, making them ideal for those on a budget. They also tend to be easy to install and maintain, making them perfect for those who don’t want complicated plumbing systems in their homes.
Disadvantages of an electric shower
Although electric showers offer a convenient and efficient way to stay clean, they do come with certain drawbacks. One of the main disadvantages is that they require a high power electrical connection in order to work, meaning that you need to have access to a power source in order for one of these units to function.
As a result, electric showers tend to use more electricity than other types of showers like power shower or mixer shower systems, so your energy bills may be higher when using them. They also tend to provide a much lower flow rate than all other types of showers as most of the energy used goes into heating water, and even the highest-output electric shower at 10.8kw doesn’t come close to being able to heat as much water as an average combi boiler at 30kw.
Should you get an electric shower?
Ultimately, whether or not you should get an electric shower depends on your specific needs and circumstances. If you’re looking for an affordable, energy-efficient way to get hot water on demand, an electric shower might be a good choice for you. However, if you need high water pressure or a larger hot water supply, you may want to consider other types of showers. We have written a post about the best electric showers including the best value and most powerful electric showers.
Power Showers
A power shower is a type of shower that pumps water from a gravity-fed supply. It provides a much more powerful shower experience than an electric shower or mixer shower. One of the main advantages of a power shower is its high-powered flow, which can be adjusted to suit varying pressures and provides a luxurious, invigorating experience.
However, one of the disadvantages of this type of shower is that it still require a power supply and can be more expensive to install and maintain.
What is a power shower?
You’ll feel the invigorating power of a power shower, with its powerful jets blasting away dirt and grime.
A power shower is an electrically powered shower that uses a pump to increase the water pressure. It can provide a more intense flow than other types of showers, such as a mixer or electric shower. The pump in the power shower increases the water pressure, allowing you to enjoy a strong and powerful spray for your morning cleanse.
Unlike an electric shower, which requires only a cold feed (from the mains) a power shower requires hot and cold water feeds from a gravity supply.
Advantages of a power shower
You may be wondering what the advantages of a power shower are. Power showers are popular due to their many benefits. They provide a powerful and enjoyable showering experience that can’t be matched by traditional showers.
With a power shower, you get an invigorating flow of hot water that is perfect for washing away the day’s worries and stress. Additionally, they’re extremely efficient in terms of energy consumption, so you can reduce your utility bills with one installed in your bathroom.
One of the main advantages of a power shower is that the shower and pump are in one unit, making installation easier than installing a separate pump elsewhere.
Furthermore, power showers have adjustable settings so that you can tailor your showering experience exactly how you want it every time – from gentle rain-like droplets to powerful jets of hot water!
All in all, investing in a power shower could be well worth it if you’re looking for an efficient and luxurious showering experience.
Disadvantages of a power shower
Experience the luxurious power of a shower, but be aware of its potential drawbacks. A power shower uses a pump to increase the water pressure. This type of shower offers greater control over your bathing experience, allowing you to adjust the flow rate and heat settings as needed.
However, there are some disadvantages associated with this kind of setup. The most common issue is that these showers can be noisy when running and the addition of a pump also adds an additional point of failure.
For those on a budget or who don’t have time for additional maintenance, installing a power shower may not be the best option.
You can find our picks of the best power showers here.
Mixer Showers
A mixer shower is a fixture that combines hot and cold water to create the temperature-controlled shower experience that you desire. Installing a mixer shower has several advantages, such as setting the desired temperature before turning on the water and saving money. You also have more control over the flow rate and power of your shower. However, there are some potential disadvantages to consider with this type of system as well. These include higher installation costs compared to other types of showers and needing regular maintenance or repair if components become faulty or worn out.
What is a mixer shower?
A mixer shower combines hot and cold water for a comfortable, customisable showering experience. It is usually installed in or on the wall and operated by two separate valves that control the flow of hot and cold water.
There are different types of mixer showers, including manual and thermostatic, both types come in either a concealed or exposed type.
Advantages of a mixer shower
You’ll enjoy the convenience and comfort of a mixer shower, with customisable temperature and pressure settings. The mixer shower has two valves that mix hot and cold water to give you the desired temperature.
With a mixer shower, you can adjust the flow rate to your exact preference, making it an ideal choice for those who want complete control over their showers.
The adjustable features also make them great for families with children or elderly people who need to reduce the temperature of their showers. Additionally, they’re usually quite affordable compared to other types of showers, making them an attractive option for many households.
Disadvantages of a mixer shower
Mixer showers rely on the pressure of your plumbing system, therefore if you have a gravity system you may need to add a pump to your system to have a satisfactory shower.
Additionally, a concealed mixer shower may be difficult to replace or repair in the future, to a certain extent you can avoid this by buying one from a known manufacturer like Mira, Aqualisa or Bristan.
Should you get a mixer shower?
In conclusion, a mixer shower is a convenient and customisable option for those looking for complete control over their shower experience. With the ability to adjust the temperature and flow rate to your liking, it’s a great choice for families with children or elderly individuals who may need to reduce the temperature of their showers. However if you have a gravity system, you may need to add a pump to your system to have a satisfactory shower. Overall, if you’re considering purchasing a mixer shower, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons and do your research to find the best option for your needs. Check out this article for a guide to the best mixer showers on the market.
Digital Showers
Digital showers are a modern and advanced way to enjoy a showering experience. These showers allow users to control water temperature, pressure, and time with the touch of a button from an intuitive digital interface.
The advantages of this type of shower include precise temperature control and improved water efficiency. However, the main disadvantage is that it requires professional installation, which can be expensive.
What is a digital shower?
A digital shower is an exciting, modern way to freshen up. It uses digital technology to allow you to customise your shower experience. With a digital shower, you’ll be able to choose from different pre-set water temperatures and pressure settings, as well as control the flow of hot and cold water with precise accuracy.
They come in a pumped version for gravity plumbing systems and unpumped version for pressurised plumbing systems. As well as fully concealed or exposed with a pipe running down from the ceiling. As a result of this versatility they are a popular choice in the UK in houses with a gravity hot water system, as the pump generally ends up in the loft they are quieter than power showers.
This provides greater flexibility when it comes to choosing the perfect temperature for your individual needs. In addition, a digital shower can also save you money on energy bills by automatically shutting off when the desired temperature has been reached.
This type of shower is more powerful than traditional mixer showers, which provide limited control over the temperature and pressure settings. Digital showers offer a luxurious, spa-like experience that is sure to impress anyone who steps inside.
Advantages of a digital shower
Now that you know what a digital shower is, let’s discuss the advantages of having one in your home.
They’re much easier to control than a mixer shower, as their temperature is pre-set and can be adjusted with just the press of a button.
Digital showers also offer greater water pressure than traditional mixer showers and come with extra features like smart phone control. Additionally, these showers are very easy to clean and maintain since there are normally less exposed components and they are quieter than power showers.
Furthermore, digital showers often come with safety features such as anti-scalding technology, which helps prevent accidental scalding when using hot water. All in all, digital showers provide many advantages over other types of shower units, making them an attractive choice for any bathroom renovation project.
Disadvantages of a digital shower
You may find that the cost of a digital shower can be higher than traditional showers, so it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before investing in one.
Furthermore, if you don’t have access to a mains water supply, you’ll need a pumped version – adding further costs. As such, it’s essential to make sure you’re fully aware of any potential expenses before opting for this type of shower.
You can find our picks of the best available digital showers here.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most cost-effective type of shower?
If you’re looking for a cost-effective shower option, consider a electric shower. This type of shower is great because it heats water on demand, so you don’t need to worry about running out of hot water.
Plus, it’s much more energy efficient than a traditional shower since there’s no storage tank or heating element to use up power. Electric showers are also simple to install and maintain – they can even be installed in tight spaces!
Overall, they provide an economical and reliable way to enjoy your daily showers without breaking the bank.
What is a thermostatic shower?
A thermostatic shower is a type of shower system that is designed to regulate the water temperature automatically. A thermostatic shower system includes a thermostatic cartridge that is connected to a temperature probe, which monitors the water temperature. The valve then adjusts the flow of hot and cold water to maintain a constant temperature, ensuring that the water temperature remains consistent regardless of any changes in the pressure of the water supply. The advantage of them is they can adjust when pressure fluctuates and prevent scalding.
Can you use a power shower with a combi boiler?
No, combi boilers use mains pressure cold water to provide hot water and a power shower is only designed to handle the pressure from a gravity system (tanks in the loft)
What’s the difference between manual and thermostatic shower?
With both thermostatic and manual showers the user selects the temperature using the controls the difference is that with a manual shower if the flow or temperature of the incoming supplies change the user will need to adjust the temperature manually. While thermostatic showers have a built-in mechanism that maintains a consistent water temperature, even if water flow/temperature changes. Thermostatic showers are typically more expensive but offer greater precision and safety, as they can also prevent scalding by automatically shutting off if the temperature exceeds a certain level.
Are electric showers safe to use?
Electric showers are a great choice for small bathrooms due to their efficient use of space. However, if installed and maintained correctly, they’re perfectly safe to use.
Whenever installing any new electric shower, it’s important to have the wiring checked by a qualified electrician first. This can help prevent potential hazards such as electric shock or fire.
Electric showers also need to be regularly serviced and maintained in order to keep them operating safely and efficiently. Make sure you read all instructions carefully before using your new shower and follow all safety guidelines for maximum protection.
Conclusion
You now know the different types of showers: electric, power, mixer, and digital. You can choose which type best suits your needs based on your budget and lifestyle.
Electric showers are ideal for those looking for a quick and affordable option, while power showers offer more pressure and water flow.
Mixer showers provide you with greater control over temperature settings, while digital showers allow for sophisticated controls as well as the convenience of remote operation.
Whichever type you choose, it’s important to have a knowledgeable professional install it properly to ensure its safe use. Investing in good quality shower fixtures will ensure that you enjoy many years of comfortable bathing experiences.
0 Comments