Types of Shower
Showers are an important part of our everyday lives and are essential household items, so it's only natural to treat the purchase of a new one as a big decision. There are so many different types of showers on the market that researching can often be a tedious and time consuming task, which is why we've done the research for you.
Perhaps the most popular types of showers are Electric Showers, Mixer Showers and Power Showers. Read on for a full advice guide about what each one has to offer your home. It's essential that you know how the heating and water system in your house operates before you purchase a shower, as some may not be compatible.
Electric Showers
Electric showers are generally compatible with any domestic water system. They draw from a cold water supply and heat the water to the desired temperature specified by the user. Most electric showers are easy to install and use and will feature control options for both water pressure and water temperature.
Perhaps the most enticing feature of electric showers is that they're extremely economical and also very quick and easy to install. Something buyers may want to keep in mind is that due to the economical nature of these showers, as the temperature moves up, water pressure will generally decrease.
Mixer Showers
Unlike electric showers, mixer showers draw from both hot and cold water supplies, which is where they get their name from. Due to this fact, mixer showers are a suitable option for any home possessing a large capacity hot water cylinder or any other form of readily available hot water. Because your mixer shower will be connected to a source that other units draw from, your water flow will be at around the same level as these. For example, if your taps provide high pressure, you'll most likely get the same effect from your shower.
The connecting point is both a positive and a negative for mixer showers. While you'll get better pressure than an electric shower, the fact that mixer showers are not the only unit drawing from one water source means that it may interfere with water temperature when something else is in use. For example, if a hot water tap is in use it may cause your shower to lose some of its heat. The reverse effect may occur if someone flushes the toilet while the shower is in use.
Thermostatic Mixer Showers
Thermostatic mixer showers are basically the same as the ordinary mixer, except they come with a thermostat that will prevent dramatic changes in water temperature. This means that if another person uses a tap, toilet, washing machine or anything else that draws water from the same source as your shower, it won't have an effect on temperature. Although slightly more expensive than the standard mixer shower, it is a popular option for putting a stop to dramatic water temperature fluctuations.
Power Showers
Similar to mixer showers, power showers draw water from both cold and hot water supplies. Power showers can only be installed on low pressure, tank fed systems and a dedicated hot and cold water supply is a must. The great thing about these showers is that they offer low pressure systems a high pressure showering option.
This is possible because power showers come with an integrated pump, which boosts the water pressure to high. Another good feature is that the temperature and pressure can be controlled separately. Perhaps the only disadvantage to the power shower is that it's not compatible with all systems.
