Electric shower needs replacing
Discussion
Hi all. My bathroom is going to be re-tiled on Friday. In preparation for this, I need to remove the electric shower that's currently fitted. I don't want to put it back so I've started looking for a replacement.
My question is two fold:
1) What would be involved in switching to a mains (combi) fed system. The shower is over the bath so there is a hot water pipe locally but I'm not sure what is involved with wiring in the pump (does a combi system actually need one), thermostatic control etc... Basically if it's a doddle to swap over, I may just do it. If it involves booking a plumber and paying lots of money to him, then I probably won't.
2) If it's staying electric, any recommendations? I'm looking at the Mira Range. Wiring is good for 10.5 kw. I'd like it to not look like a white good (like the chrome or glass covered ones) and it must feel high quality. Budget probably £300 max...
My question is two fold:
1) What would be involved in switching to a mains (combi) fed system. The shower is over the bath so there is a hot water pipe locally but I'm not sure what is involved with wiring in the pump (does a combi system actually need one), thermostatic control etc... Basically if it's a doddle to swap over, I may just do it. If it involves booking a plumber and paying lots of money to him, then I probably won't.
2) If it's staying electric, any recommendations? I'm looking at the Mira Range. Wiring is good for 10.5 kw. I'd like it to not look like a white good (like the chrome or glass covered ones) and it must feel high quality. Budget probably £300 max...
Edited by Gad-Westy on Tuesday 5th April 15:47
Fed directly from a combi requires no electrical connections at all.
Often the easiest way to do it providing the bathroom and combi are on the top floor, is to take a hot and cold pipe into the attic and drop straight into the shower using chrom pipe, providing the shower has adjustable elbows.
Alternatively you could chase out the walls to conceal the pipes and take them from under the bath, but the bath may require removing in order to do this.
If this is the only shower in the house, think twice about using a combi fed one, an electric shower is a god send when the boiler breaks down!
Often the easiest way to do it providing the bathroom and combi are on the top floor, is to take a hot and cold pipe into the attic and drop straight into the shower using chrom pipe, providing the shower has adjustable elbows.
Alternatively you could chase out the walls to conceal the pipes and take them from under the bath, but the bath may require removing in order to do this.
If this is the only shower in the house, think twice about using a combi fed one, an electric shower is a god send when the boiler breaks down!
I have a Mira and it's fine for what it is. I'm told the pumped combi-fed showers are better, but agreed re having electric in case.
My only regret was not having the wiring upgraded when I had the bathroom done to take the most powerful electric shower as on cold days it's not great. I think the max power Mira is only 10.8kw, though I believe others are more powerful.
My only regret was not having the wiring upgraded when I had the bathroom done to take the most powerful electric shower as on cold days it's not great. I think the max power Mira is only 10.8kw, though I believe others are more powerful.
Thanks all. I'm leaning towards sticking with an electric mainly as it appears to be path of least resistance. Our place is a ground floor flat and chasing the wall may be tricky as the wall is an old construction with wooden slats behind the plaster. Remedy, is that a Mira? I can't tell from the photo...
Combi boilers and showers were made for each other, if you're getting the bathroom tiled then you should really consider doing the extra work to get a thermostatic mixer and shower fitted, you will not regret it.
If you have lathe and plater walls then there will be a void if you cut out the between two studs, run pipes in there.
If you have lathe and plater walls then there will be a void if you cut out the between two studs, run pipes in there.
Deva Link said:
Sticks. said:
I'm told the pumped combi-fed showers are better,
Do you mean combi as in combi boiler?I don't think you can pump such a shower, can you, as you'd be pumping the mains water supply?
Sticks. said:
I have a Mira and it's fine for what it is. I'm told the pumped combi-fed showers are better, but agreed re having electric in case.
My only regret was not having the wiring upgraded when I had the bathroom done to take the most powerful electric shower as on cold days it's not great. I think the max power Mira is only 10.8kw, though I believe others are more powerful.
Iv'e got a 10.8 Mira and agree it struggles in mid-winter.My only regret was not having the wiring upgraded when I had the bathroom done to take the most powerful electric shower as on cold days it's not great. I think the max power Mira is only 10.8kw, though I believe others are more powerful.
However I'm at the end of a long rural branchline and the voltage drop is high when it is on. In the summer it is fine.
I would imagine though it would perform much better in a more "normal" situation.
Gad-Westy said:
Thanks all. I'm leaning towards sticking with an electric mainly as it appears to be path of least resistance. Our place is a ground floor flat and chasing the wall may be tricky as the wall is an old construction with wooden slats behind the plaster. Remedy, is that a Mira? I can't tell from the photo...
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