When you start looking to buy a shower you may be overwhelmed by all the different shower options available! The shower is a vital feature of your bathroom, for hygiene and comfort and in an ideal world, your shower would turn on at the touch of a button and would drench you from head to toe at the perfect pressure and temperature. We’ve put together this handy guide to help you choose the best shower for you and your plumbing system. If you want more information on how to work out your water pressure, you can read about it on our what are the different types of water system guide and understanding water pressure in your home.
When working out which shower to choose you do need to be aware of your bathroom set up as well as the type of water system you have, depending on this you may also need to consider your water pressure and also how much water your storage tank holds. For information on the different types of plumbing systems click here.
Electric Showers
Electric showers are best for homes with a combination boiler but they do generally work on any heating system. Electric showers contain an electrical heating element that heats the water instantly as it comes through the shower, this hot water is then mixed with cold water to produce the desired temperature.
Electric showers rely on your existing water pressure from your mains water supply so if you have a gravity-fed hot water tank you may find that an electric shower is not powerful enough. Some models do have an in-built pump to combat this but with others, you may also need to install a separate shower pump for it to work well enough. Electric showers come with Kilowatt (kW) ratings to give you an idea of the flow rate, the higher the kW rating the better the hot water flow will be.
One of the biggest downsides of an electric shower is that whilst it will work if your boiler lets you down you won’t be so lucky if you have a power cut! If you have low water pressure in your home though or are in an area of hard water you will need to bear in mind that an electric shower may be affected by limescale build-up and may not be the best option for you.
Electric showers are probably the most versatile though as they can generally be used with any heating system and are compact and relatively easy to install. The main advantage of an electric shower is that they only require a cold-water feed and do not rely on water being heated by your boiler. They are great for instant hot showers as there is no worry of running out of hot water and if your boiler ever breaks down you are still able to have a warm shower. Electric showers are also energy efficient as they don’t need to heat a full tank of water, they have the potential to save on energy usage as they only heat up the water you actually use.
The two most popular brands for electric showers are Mira and Triton.
Mixer Showers
Mixer showers are probably the most conventional and are seen in the majority of home bathrooms. They draw water from both the hot and cold feeds and mix it to provide the desired set temperature. Some shower mixers function with any system but the majority are best suited for gravity-fed systems or homes with a large hot water supply. It is worth checking the compatibility as some are specifically for low or high-pressure water systems as they do depend on your household water pressure this is important.
The biggest drawback of a mixer shower because it is connected directly to your water supply is that it can be affected by other outlets that are used at the same time. This can mean there is a sudden drop or rise in the temperature of the water from the shower which may cause scalding, to avoid this it is best that the shower has an independent water supply or has an in-built anti-scald device. Most mixer showers are purely mechanical and so do not require electricity to run unless a separate shower pump has been installed to boost the water pressure, they also tend to have a better flow than electric showers.
Mixer showers do come in a variety of options and styles – exposed and concealed. Exposed shower valves are the simplest and easiest to install as they are attached directly to the wall space, with the temperature and pressure adjustable using a shower bar. A concealed shower valve is built into the wall space or tiling with all the working parts concealed and just the control panel and shower head on show, they create a more minimalist and sleek appearance and suit modern and luxurious spaces but can be more difficult to fit. Mixer showers also are often thermostatic, which we explain below.
Thermostatic Showers
Thermostatic shower valves can be used with almost any water system but some do require a certain pressure to be able to operate and may require a flow regulator. Thermostatic showers are similar to mixer showers in that they do not require electricity as they take water from your existing supply. They are a safer alternative to the mixer shower though as the internal valve mixes hot water with cold water to produce a constant, sometimes pre-set temperature. The thermostatic valve reacts instantly to any change in temperature and automatically adjusts the water to keep it consistent meaning the temperature does not fluctuate when other outlets are used and there is no risk of scalding, particularly for young children and older relatives. Many also have a feature to shut down the flow if the cold-water supply fails completely. Thermostatic showers tend to be more modern in design although traditional styles do exist.
Depending on your setup and requirements thermostatic showers can use a rigid riser kit or shower rail kit. You can also conceal the piping within your walls to provide a cleaner look. The biggest downside to a thermostatic shower is perhaps, the cost, with some being at least twice the amount of a standard mixer valve. Water can also sometimes drip from the showerhead when not in use and you can sometimes experience a reduced water flow but these issues are normally avoidable with regular maintenance and adjustments.
Power Showers
A Power shower is ideal for a low-pressure or gravity-fed water system as it uses an in-built electric pump to boost water flow. Unlike an electric shower which heats the water with an electrical current, a power shower draws water from both the hot and cold feeds and then mixes them to reach the desired temperature, giving you control over both water temperature and water flow.
Power showers do need a good supply of hot water so you do need to make sure your water storage tank is large enough for multiple uses. Power showers are amongst the best providers of water pressure, though can generally be more expensive to install and maintain and more expensive to run as the water consumption is higher.
If you have a gravity-fed system, a large water storage tank and low water pressure a power shower is ideal for you, providing a touch of luxury and the ultimate shower experience. If you have a combination boiler you would need to look at electric, mixer, thermostatic or digital showers instead.
Digital Showers
Digital showers are a more recent showering option and are ideal for those who like technology as well as being eco-friendly. Digital showers are available for all types of heating systems and boilers. Pumped options are available for low pressure and gravity fed systems and high-pressure versions specifically for use with mains pressure or combi systems. With a built-in digital thermostat, the power shower unit can be controlled using a separate unit that links via an electric cable or wireless technology, the control unit can be located in the shower or anywhere else in the bathroom. As Digital showers draw water from both the hot and cold connections and are not affected by water being used elsewhere in the property so provide a completely uninterrupted shower.
The disadvantages of a digital shower are that they can be more costly to buy and you will most likely need an electrician to help install it. You may also find, depending on which one you opt for that you may need to run wiring for the wall unit and controllers so this can be difficult if you are not carrying out a complete bathroom refit.
Digital showers are very user-friendly as you can personalise the settings for water pressure, volume, and temperature, some also enable you to set up profiles for different family members. These incredibly precise controls set it apart from all other showering options and because they can be pre-set, they are ideal for safeguarding family members against scalding.
Showers aren't just for humans
Hansgrohe has introduced a new range of dog shower heads, so whether you are taking your dog for a muddy walk or having a swim in the sea, that soiled coat is no trouble to clean. The new heads boast extended flexible nozzles, and 3 different spray patterns, easily switched using their SELECT technology. See their video below;
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmc_R1vZvgI
With a quick connect feature so you can switch between different heads with ease - it really is an all-in-one solution. You can find them on the Taps UK website soon.
At Taps UK, you’ll find complete shower sets in both traditional and contemporary designs to complement any style of bathroom interior.
