Combi Boiler in - Shower Fully Electric or off the Combi?
Discussion
Boiler broke down so decided to alter the full system to combi, all fitted and great but I didn't realise the shower a gravity feed pumped one would have to go. My choice is now a cold mains feed with electric heating / pump or mixed mains pressure from the boiler. I have good mains pressure. What would you go for?
straight off the boiler.
I am a pretty handy sort of guy and i have had nothing but trauma and irritation from showers, in particular leccy ones. Pressure is no problems, nor hot water flow. I would reccommend a decent shower head, one with a eco valve (or similar) to give good induvidual spray and consistant flow rate.
Just dont waster your money time and showering pleasure with a electric fitting.
I am a pretty handy sort of guy and i have had nothing but trauma and irritation from showers, in particular leccy ones. Pressure is no problems, nor hot water flow. I would reccommend a decent shower head, one with a eco valve (or similar) to give good induvidual spray and consistant flow rate.
Just dont waster your money time and showering pleasure with a electric fitting.
I have a fully electric one in my en-suite, which i haven't updated in the case the combi-boiler doesn't work - fault tolerance is something i dwell upon. However, the plumber guy mentioned that you can have both i.e. warm water from the combi can be boosted by an electric power shower - so you can draw less hot water from the combi - if someone else is having a bath for example.
lewes said:
I've got similar and use a Mira Excel off of the combi.
No problems with supply, temperature or pressure.
Had some friends stay a couple of weeks ago and were impressed with the shower and they have a combi but have an electric shower.
Had 2 of those now and they are excellent. Recommended for sure.No problems with supply, temperature or pressure.
Had some friends stay a couple of weeks ago and were impressed with the shower and they have a combi but have an electric shower.
micky g said:
It's a no brainer - decent thermostatic valve shower, (runs off combi). It's one of the best reasons for having a combi boiler fitted.
Add an 8-12" rose fixed to the ceiling, and you've got yourself a properly decent shower. Depending on your arrangement, you can add a bodyspray bars, and a flexi-hose for washing down.Hum,... well that goes totally against what all the local people have said 
People in work i've asked have all said it comes down to money, an electric costs more to run electric heating water rather than gas but is better because you don't have the whole someone flushes toilet / turns washing machine on / runs tap etc causing fluctuations in shower temp and pressure that you get with a combi. The boiler man even said get an electric in as they are just better and should you ever have a problem witht he boiler you still get a hot shower in the morning.
I'd read last night a load on the subject online and I had thought the combi did sound good and loads of positive reports.
People in work i've asked have all said it comes down to money, an electric costs more to run electric heating water rather than gas but is better because you don't have the whole someone flushes toilet / turns washing machine on / runs tap etc causing fluctuations in shower temp and pressure that you get with a combi. The boiler man even said get an electric in as they are just better and should you ever have a problem witht he boiler you still get a hot shower in the morning.
I'd read last night a load on the subject online and I had thought the combi did sound good and loads of positive reports.
Herman Toothrot said:
Hum,... well that goes totally against what all the local people have said
People in work i've asked have all said it comes down to money, an electric costs more to run electric heating water rather than gas but is better because you don't have the whole someone flushes toilet / turns washing machine on / runs tap etc causing fluctuations in shower temp and pressure that you get with a combi. The boiler man even said get an electric in as they are just better and should you ever have a problem witht he boiler you still get a hot shower in the morning.
I'd read last night a load on the subject online and I had thought the combi did sound good and loads of positive reports.
I have a combi and never... read that NEVER had an issue with the water being cold except when it turns itself off or the missus decides to wash the dishes then I lose the pressure... Do you really want the noise of an electric shower going off everytime you start the shower?People in work i've asked have all said it comes down to money, an electric costs more to run electric heating water rather than gas but is better because you don't have the whole someone flushes toilet / turns washing machine on / runs tap etc causing fluctuations in shower temp and pressure that you get with a combi. The boiler man even said get an electric in as they are just better and should you ever have a problem witht he boiler you still get a hot shower in the morning.
I'd read last night a load on the subject online and I had thought the combi did sound good and loads of positive reports.
Im currently plugging in a concealed shower valve system and and this includes an overhead shower head and a handheld unit and have no problems with the heating of the water... I get an issue once every few weeks if the boiler is deciding to act up.
Bucking the trend here - I have an Electric shower, combi was just too up and down if anyone else touched a tap in the house, a decent electric one will give you better pressure than combi usually I find.
Also found electric shower gets hotter than combi one ever did - (30 KW viessmann v100 boiler)
Also found electric shower gets hotter than combi one ever did - (30 KW viessmann v100 boiler)
We have always had an electric and our pressure is good at home. Granted its not mega mega powerful like some showers I have used (i.e in hotels, that must run from a pump).
The main issue for me is that the combi doesn't get as hot as the electric.
in our house we have to run the water pretty slow for it to get hot. I dont see how pumping out the water as fast as i need for a shower would allow it to reach that temp - unless there is some trickery involved.
The main issue for me is that the combi doesn't get as hot as the electric.
in our house we have to run the water pretty slow for it to get hot. I dont see how pumping out the water as fast as i need for a shower would allow it to reach that temp - unless there is some trickery involved.
There are arguments for and against it.
Straight off the combi is great, nice powerful shower and the shower it self looks nicer.
But if your boiler breaks down, its cold showers all round.
Me personally would go for a mixer straight from the combi, your boiler may never break down and you could have a crap shower for no reason!
Straight off the combi is great, nice powerful shower and the shower it self looks nicer.
But if your boiler breaks down, its cold showers all round.
Me personally would go for a mixer straight from the combi, your boiler may never break down and you could have a crap shower for no reason!
CO2000 said:
Mojooo said:
The main issue for me is that the combi doesn't get as hot as the electric.
in our house we have to run the water pretty slow for it to get hot.
Is your hot water dial ramped right up ?in our house we have to run the water pretty slow for it to get hot.
To fill up the bath with the hottest water the combi can output takes a while!
Jonny_ said:
Top-end electric shower: ~11kW output
Most basic of combi boilers: ~25kW hot water output
If you like your showers hot and powerful, combi is the way to go
If you need hotter than an 11kW shower puts out, you must have skin made of asbestos.Most basic of combi boilers: ~25kW hot water output
If you like your showers hot and powerful, combi is the way to go
I can't turn mine up past half way!
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