~ guide to bathroom showers |
|
Type of Shower |
Benefits |
Draw Backs |
Electric shower
Draws water from the mains cold supply and heats it within the shower unit. |
Doesn't use up stored hot water in the tank and has low running costs. A higher power rating heats more water as it passes through to give better performance. |
Even the highest power electric showers have poor flow rates compared to mixer showers. |
Thermostatic mixer shower
Hot and cold inlet and mixed water outlet, compensates for pressure and temperature variations. |
Automatically compensates for variations in water temperature and pressure safe for the whole family. Requires no electrical connection. |
Cost. The thermostatic control valves that give excellent performance push the price up. |
Manual mixer shower
Hot and cold inlet and mixed water outlet. Does not compensate for variations in water temperature and pressure. |
Lower purchase price than a thermostatic mixer. Requires no electrical connection. |
Temperature is not very stable. If someone flushes a toilet then you can expect a hot temperature spike. |
Pressure balanced mixer shower
Hot and cold inlet and mixed water outlet. Compensates for water pressure variations but not temperature changes. |
Maintains a fairly constant temperature even when water pressure fluctuates. Simple to install. |
Temperature is not as stable as with a thermostatic mixer but is better than a manual mixer. |
Pumped (Power) mixer Shower
Thermostatic or manual. The pump can be separate or integrated in the unit. |
Powerful flow rates. |
Cost. If you want the best and can afford it then fit a thermostatic mixer shower with an external pump. |
