Electric shower buying guide
An all you need to know guide on electric showers
Electric showers are a convenient choice for busy homes as they provide instant hot water. That means no more waiting for the water to get hot or refill when you’re in a rush! Sound like something your home needs? Read our simple guide to discover if your home is suitable for an electric shower, plus a handful of our top electric shower picks.
1. What is an electric shower?
2. How do electric showers work?
3. Electric shower requirements
a. Water systems explained
b. Do I need an electric shower?
4. Benefits of an electric shower
5. Are electric showers energy efficient?
6. Our top electric shower picks
1. What is an electric shower?
In a nutshell, an electric shower is a type of shower that requires cold water only. The cold water is heated instantly via electricity to provide a hot shower, and the water is only heated once the shower is switched on. It does not use the hot water heated or stored by the household water system. Simple!
The higher the kilowatt power rating (kW) the better the performance and greater the flow of heated water. Don’t forget – the kW will depend on the water pressure in your home so be sure to check in with a tradesman before purchasing your shower.
2. How do electric showers work?
Electric showers work by quickly heating water via an electrical heating element. It works in a similar way to a kettle – just much faster! This differs to mixer showers, which require a hot water feed from your boiler. Electric showers can simply be connected to a cold water feed and heated via electricity as you turn your shower on.
3. Electric shower requirements
It’s important to bear in mind that not all homes are compatible with an electric shower. Whether you can have an electric shower in your home depends on the water system and water pressure your home has. Find out more below.
1. The water at your mains entry must have a minimum running pressure of 1 bar
2. Your water must flow at a rate of at least 8 litres per minute
3. It should also have a maximum static pressure of 10 bar
A. Water pressure systems explained
There are three types of household water systems, and the type of shower you’ll need will depend on which system and pressure you have. Keep reading below to find out which system type you have in your home.
1. Gravity fed – Usually found in older properties. You’ll find a cold water tank in your loft and a hot water cylinder often located in your airing cupboard. This means you have a low-pressure water system and you’ll need to choose taps designed to work with lower water pressures.
2. Combi boiler - There is no cold water tank or hot water cylinder in your house. You will have a combi- boiler often located in your kitchen. Combi boilers are fed directly with mains pressure cold water, which is then quickly heated and pumped around your home at close to mains pressure. Suitable for high pressure water systems.
3. Unvented - If you have a hot water tank (often located in your airing cupboard or garage) but no cold water tank in your house, you’ll have an unvented water system, providing high pressure.
B. Is an electric shower right for me?
YES – if you have a small hot water tank. As mixer showers and power showers rely on your boiler for hot water, those with smaller tanks sometimes find they don’t have enough hot water to serve the whole household come shower time. Electric showers solve this problem as they produce their own hot water.
4. Benefits of an electric shower
- Electric showers draw on a mains cold water supply and provide instant hot water
- They are a source of showering if a heating system breaks down
- They are easy to install due to not needing a thermal hot water system
- 'A' energy rated as well as 96% efficient
- Use is not limited by the size of a thermal store – no running out of hot water at peak showering periods
- Electric showers and water heating require only a single cold water inlet pipe (cold)
- There are no specialist installer skills required
- There may be no requirement for a gas supply to be installed at all
5. Are electric showers energy efficient?
The simple answer is yes, electric showers are energy efficient. Electric showers only heat water when needed, meaning energy isn’t wasted when the shower isn’t being used. Electric showers also save on electricity compared to other types of showers. Why? Electric showers usually run at a mains pressure of around 6 litres per minute, whereas the water pressure of other systems averages at about 8 litres per minute. That’s a considerable saving on energy and therefore money!
Triton Enrich
- Installer's favourite - voted Screwfix 'Plumbers Product Of The Year' 2021
- Multiple cable and water entry points
- Easy to clean shower head
- Separate temperature and power controls
- 2 year parts and labour guarantee
- Efficient A energy rating
Triton Amala
- Easy to use – illuminated soft touch buttons
- Push button start/stop to select your favourite shower setting
- Phased shutdown - flushes out preheated water after use to help reduce limescale build up
- Includes 1.25m hose with easy clean five spray pattern shower head and stylish slender riser rail kit
- 2 year parts and labour guarantee
- Efficient A energy rating
Triton T80 Easi-Fit+
- Push-button start/stop – retains you preferred power and temperature settings
- Easy Wire – Swing-Fit™ for left and right-hand side cable connections
- Easy Plumb – Swivel Fit™ for left and right-hand side water connections
- Adjustable shower kit – ideal for replacements
- Includes 1.25m anti-twist hose – designed to avoid kinks
- Easy Clean – 5 spray pattern shower head
- 2 year parts and labour guarantee
- Efficient A energy rating
Mira Sport Max Airboost
- Mira Clearscale™ technology reduces limescale by up to 50%
- Advanced temperature control keeps showering temperature consistent
- Separate power and temperature controls to fine tune your perfect shower
- Sensi-flo™ technology helps prevent scalding if the showerhead or hose become blocked
- Opti-flo™ optimises flow throughout the year
- Suitable for cold water mains only
- 2 years parts and labour guarantee
Mira Sprint
- Multiple water and cable entry points to easily replace most electric showers
- Mira Clearscale™ technology reduces limescale by up to 50%
- Mira Sprint Multi-Fit™ with a 110mm single spray showerhead and rub clean nozzles
- Advanced temperature control keeps showering temperature consistent
- Environmentally friendly eco setting saves water and minimises the consumption of energy
- 2 years parts and labour guarantee