Table of Contents
A shower mixer is a valve which draws from both your hot and cold water supplies and mixes them so that you can control the temperature of your shower. But, not all shower mixers are born equal.
What is the difference between a mixer shower and an electric shower?
An electric shower only requires a cold water supply and an electric supply that is fed into the electric shower. However, mixer showers operate by having a cold and a hot water supply fed into the mixer which allows you to regulate the temperature.
What is the difference between a mixer shower and a thermostatic shower?
A manual mixer shower will mix hot and cold water to a set temperature but, unlike a thermostatic shower, it cannot react to sudden changes in temperature. A thermostatic shower instantly reacts to a change in water temperature and adjusts the water accordingly to get it back to the pre-set temperature.
Is a mixer shower better than electric?
If you’ve got a plentiful supply of hot water then you may prefer a mixer shower, as it has a powerful flow and will give you more of a boost than an electric shower.
Do mixer showers need electricity?
Pros of mixer showers: Uses a gas boiler rather than electricity to heat the water, which is preferable in some households. Thermostatic mixer showers allow you to regulate temperature.
Are mixer tap showers any good?
It’s a bath mixer tap, not a shower valve, they are always rubbish and not really any good for showering. Make sure your supplies are balanced too. If one supply is tank fed and one mains it will be no good.
Can I use a mixer shower with a combi boiler?
However, mixer showers, digital showers and electric showers are all ideal for use with a combi boiler system. Thermostatic mixer showers are traditionally considered the best type of shower to pair with combi boilers.
Why is my mixer shower too hot?
It could also be due to faulty non-return valves. Permanently running either hot or cold. Blocked inlet filters and faulty non-return valves can also cause the shower to either run constantly hot or cold, despite your efforts to adjust the temperature.
What side is the hot on a mixer shower?
Check the instructions that are included with the valve and feed the hot and cold supplies to the correct sides – hot is on the left and cold is on the right.
What is the best type of shower to buy?
Electric showers are one of the most versatile types of shower available. Electric showers are ideal if you want to be able to have an instant hot shower, plus they offer the potential for energy savings. Key Features: Needs a good water pressure – either from your mains supply or a shower pump.
What is the best mixer shower?
The Best Mixer Shower Bristan Quadrato Mixer. The Bristan Quadrato is a popular mixer shower set that’s available as an adjustable or fixed kit. Derpras Digital Mixer Shower Set. Hausbath Thermostatic Mixer. GROHE Euphoria Thermostat. Mira Showers Excel Variable. Bristan Zing Cool Touch Bar. iBathUK Thermostatic System.
What should I look for when buying a shower?
Factors to Consider When Buying a Shower Shower Size. The first factor you need to consider when buying a shower is the size and layout of your bathroom. Bathroom Layout. Water Pressure. Choose the Right Type of Valve. Power. Price. Future-Proofing & Catering to People with Disabilities.
Are thermostatic showers worth it?
Thermostatic is so worth it. Without a thermostatic valve, every shower begins with futzing with the knob(s) trying to get the temperature right, reaching in with your hand so you know the water won’t be scalding hot or freezing cold.
What does BAR mean in showers?
Water pressure is measured in bars, with 1 bar being the force needed to raise water to a height of 10 metres. Each tap or shower will be rated with a minimum required pressure rating, typically between 0.1 and 3 bar.
What is the most powerful shower?
10.8 kW Electric Showers. A 10.8kw electric shower is the most powerful electric shower there is and it means that it will provide improved pressure and a higher water temperature.
What should I look for in a shower mixer?
Thermostatic mixer showers Requirements: Hot and cold water supply needed. Minimum 0.1 bar of water pressure. Recommendations: Use with an electric pump to increase water flow, if needed. Benefits: Avoids the risk of scalding, and the temperature is not affected by water use elsewhere in the home.
Are mixer taps safe?
Safety reasons Cold water in British taps is safe to drink, and we love it. Unlike many countries, the UK doesn’t have central heating system. Instead, everyone has their own boiler. It would heat up the water over time, so it would never be as fresh and could get contaminated during the process.
Do mixer taps reduce water pressure?
Yes it will make a big difference. 1 bar is equivalent to 10m head of water. The loft tank is probably 2m above the tap so that’s 0.2 bar. Mixer taps will have smaller more restrictive pipes on them so flow will be reduced compared to separate taps, you want all the bore you can get for a decent flow.
Do combi boilers give good shower pressure?
Combi boilers are incompatible with boiler pumps, which means that power showers cannot be installed with a combi boiler system. Electric showers can, however, help improve the water pressure in a shower slightly.
Can you run two showers off a combi boiler?
Yes a combo could cope but if 2 showers are used at the same time the water flow rate would be poor. An unvented water cylinder is a better option.
Can you have 2 showers on a combi boiler?
*However combi boilers do not cope well with 2 showers running at the same time in the same property, due to the use of hot water across both showers. This is because combi boilers heat water directly from the mains when you turn on a tap.
How do I know if my shower is too cold?
If your fingers fall off due to frostbite and gangrene, it’s too cold. If you can’t see the shampoo because your eyeballs have congealed, it’s too cold. If you are showering in liquid nitrogen, it’s too cold. Other than that, anything that comes out of your shower is probably fine.
