Renovating your bathroom?
Often, one of the most difficult decisions homeowners are faced with is choosing a shower.
Though there are several options available, most people opt for either a conventional mixer shower or an electric shower.
But which one is best for your bathroom?
In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the pros and cons of electric and mixer showers to help you make an informed decision for your space, style and budget.
Electric showers
Electric showers are a popular choice in many households these days.
Unlike mixer showers (which we’ll discuss shortly), water is heated in the unit using electricity – it doesn’t rely on the boiler for hot water.
Electric showers are easily operated with a dial or button, allowing you to control the water flow and temperature.
You’ll find a pull cord from the ceiling in the bathroom or a switch outside the bathroom. This determines whether the electricity supply to the shower is on or off.
Pros of electric showers:
- Quick and easy to install – though they should always be installed professionally, electric showers don’t take long to get up and running. Provided your bathroom already has a cold water supply, no extra plumbing will be required – saving more time.
- Energy efficient – an electric shower will only heat the water you’re going to use. If you’re on a water meter, you’ll also be pleased to know that electrical units use a lot less water than other showers, making them an economical and energy-efficient option for your home.
- Instant hot water – because electric showers generate their own water, they’re ready to use whenever you are. You don’t have to switch the hot water on before showering or worry about it going cold mid-shower. Plus, if the boiler breaks, you can still enjoy a hot shower.
Cons of electric showers:
- Inconvenient – if the cord or switch to turn the electricity on to the shower is outside the bathroom, your kids or housemate could (accidentally?) turn it off while you’re in the shower.
- Limited design choice – often, the shower head on an electric shower is the same on every model – large, bulky and outdated. It’s unlikely that you’ll find a fancy waterfall showerhead or fixed overhead option.
- Costly – though it depends on the number of people who use the shower and how long they spend in it, you may notice a significant increase in your electric bill every month, especially if you opt for a higher Kw electric shower.
Mixer showers
Mixer showers are the preferred option for many households, drawing water directly from your domestic water supply.
While electric showers heat water on demand from your cold supply using a heating element, mixer showers require a gas boiler – taking hot and cold water to create the perfect temperature for showering.
With manual mixer showers, both the temperature and pressure of the water are regulated by turning the dials. A thermostatic mixer shower, on the other hand, maintains a constant temperature – even if water is being used elsewhere in the house.
Thermostatic valves have an anti-scald cut out device which stops the flow of water if the cold supply fails for any reason – offering an extra layer of safety.
Pros of mixer showers:
- Easy to install – all types of mixer showers are straightforward to install, but those with exposed valves are usually easier than their concealed counterparts as they’re attached directly to the wall.
- Simple to operate – mixer showers combine hot and cold water before it comes through the shower head, meaning all you have to do is turn the shower on.
If you select a thermostatic mixer shower, you’ll be able to regulate the temperature, allowing for a more enjoyable shower experience.
- Various models available – ranging from exposed mixer showers to concealed mixer showers with manual, thermostatic and digital valves and displays, you’re sure to find a shower that suits your style, preferences and lifestyle.
- Save money – mixer showers don’t require electricity. They rely on your boiler for hot water instead, which can reduce your bills if you use more electricity than gas.
Cons of mixer showers:
- Inconsistency – a manual mixer shower may experience sudden temperature changes when the water is switched on for other appliances (i.e. flushing the toilet or using the kitchen tap).
- Additional parts – if you have low water pressure, your shower will have low water flow, too – meaning water will trickle out of the shower head instead of providing an invigorating torrent. Therefore, a shower pump will need to be fitted to your mixer shower to improve the pressure and flow.
- Unpractical installation – when fitting a mixer shower, you need to have access to both a hot and cold water supply. This isn’t always possible, especially if you’re installing a shower in a new area of your home.
Ready to purchase a new shower?
Now you know more about electric and mixer showers – including their pros and cons – you should be in a better position to decide for your bathroom.
Whether you’re swaying towards a mixer or an electric unit, it pays to go to a reputable company with an extensive range of products on offer, such as The Plumbline.
Not only will they provide top-quality showers from renowned brands but they’ll also guarantee some of the most competitive prices, allowing you to receive maximum value for your money.
So, what are you waiting for?
