Yes it can be a minefield trying to determine which type of shower will best suit your property, your needs and your pocket! At Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire we will advise you on the various pros and cons of each system and guide you through the buying process.
Here are a few initial hints and tips to get you thinking so that when you pop in you will already have done some background research. There are four basic types of showers - mixer, electric, power, or digital showers. Your first step will be to assess your boiler type, the water pressure in your house and whether several people need the use of the water supply at the same time. Do you want a powerful shower and how important is the design to you?
Mixer Showers
Mixer showers take water from both the hot and cold supplies and mix it to your ideal temperature. You need a combi boiler or immersion heater to provide ready-heated water. Generally, you get a stronger water flow than with an electric shower. You can also get bath and shower mixers, where the temperature and flow are controlled by adjusting the bath taps. If you have a low-pressure system, a separate pump can be fitted to increase flow.
If you fit a Thermostatic mixer shower this will regulate the water temperature better than standard mixer showers and if somebody turn on the cold water supply somewhere the water will cut out automatically to avoid burning you.
Electric Showers
Electric showers are suitable for any home as they are independent of the hot water system - hence why they have always been such a popular choice. They take water from the mains cold water supply and warm it over heating elements in the unit, heating the water as its needed. People also like them as they are kind to your energy bills and you can still take a shower even if your boiler breaks down. The downside is a generally weaker flow but an integral pump will help to combat this problem
Thermostatic electric showers are available and can control the water temperature reasonably accurately and are a much better choice if other people or appliances use water when you're having a shower.
Most people aspire to a Power shower when refitting a bathroom - these work like standard mixer showers, but feature a built-in pump that boosts the flow of water. They are ideal if you have a low-pressure system and don't want to fit your mixer with a pump and they also offer you greater control over temperature and pressure than a normal mixer shower. Do bear in mind that they use a lot more water than electric showers, and may have an impact on your water meter!
Digital Showers
Digital showers are newer to the market and have features such as a timer, so you can save water, and 'warm-up', heating the water to your ideal temperature, then stopping the flow until you're ready.
Some digital showers have an LCD display on the control panel and those with wireless or Bluetooth technology can have the control unit located up to 10 metres away, which means you can switch it on and get the water hot before you step in. The advantage of a digital shower control unit is that you can pre-programme the water temperature.
Lots of options for you to choose from!
Contact Bathrooms Direct Yorkshire
If you're looking to create an exclusive bathroom or shower for your home, we can help! Our specialist team are more than happy to talk through your design and functionality options. Contact us today and one of your representatives will be with you shortly, or call us on 01226 770383! We look forward to hearing from you!