Types of Showers Guide | Shower Types | Shower Guide

Intro

With 49% of Brits showering daily, the shower has quickly become an integral feature of our bathrooms. In fact, over 95% of UK city folk prefer showers to baths; our predilection for showers is seemingly an intrinsic one, borne from our ancient ancestors who, with no other sources of powerful water, would stand under waterfalls to clean themselves.

Now, our showering process looks a little different and we’re spoilt for choice when it comes to what new shower to buy. There are four main types available:

Mixer Shower
Electric Shower
Power Shower
Digital & Smart Shower

First, you’ve got to consider some key components, some regarding technical semantics and others focusing more on how the aesthetics of your new shower will complement your current bathroom set-up:

What’s your water pressure like? If your water pressure is low, there are ways to boost it if you’re after a power shower, such as installing a shower pump. If you’re using mains pressure, you’re less likely to have an issue with your water pressure.
What size boiler tank have you got? If you’ve got a boiler on the smaller side and you’re concerned about your water running out, avoiding mixer showers and opting for an electric shower can help to address these doubts.
What type of boiler do you have? If you have a combi boiler or an unvented system, hot water will be produced directly from the mains supply, meaning it will work with either an electric, digital or mixer. A more traditional gravity-fed system (AKA conventional) is compatible with any of the four shower types.

Mixer Showers

Mixer showers mix your existing hot water source your cold water before sending it out of your shower head. There are two types of mixer showers available: thermostatic and manual. Thermostatic mixers incorporate a thermostatic valve to keep water at a constant temperature, making them the ideal choice for families with little ones. A manual mixer manually mixes the different water temperatures and allows you to adjust both the temperature and flow rate. You can use a shower pump to help with struggling water pressure which you may need if two people are planning to shower at once.

Features of a Mixer Shower:

A gas boiler is required to heat the water
Requires both a hot and cold water supply
Performance depends on your household water pressure

Benefits of a Mixer Shower:

Stronger water flow than electric showers
Most are compatible with both high or low-pressure water systems
Temperature is not affected by water usage anywhere else in the home

Mixer Showers work well with:

Gravity-fed units
Large and reliable hot water supplies

Electric Showers

Electric showers operate by channelling cold water from your mains system and then they heat this water inside the unit, making them great for offering hot temperatures on demand. Nowadays, most electric showers often have thermostatic control so you can control your temperature to your personal preference. Plus, if you’re having issues with your boiler or central heating, your electric shower won’t be affected. It’s also worth noting that electric showers rely on your existing water pressure, meaning that if you have a gravity-fed water tank, it’s a good idea to get a shower pump, too.

Features of an Electric Shower:

Reliant on your existing water pressure
Instantly heat up water themselves with an in-built heating device
Low-pressure systems or hard water issues can build up limescale

Benefits of an Electric Shower:

Only require a cold water supply
Energy efficient as they only heat water when needed
Not reliant upon boilers or tanks so you don’t have to wait for water to warm up

Electric Showers work well with:

Combi boilers
Houses with smaller boiler tanks

Power Showers

Also known as a pumped shower, power showers are designed for low-pressure water systems as they’re built with a pump. They work in a similar way to a mixer shower as they draw in from both supplies to blend the water - the result is the perfect temperature sent to the outlet. Due to this, you need to ensure you have a large enough water tank to meet your needs… if not, your shower runs the risk of getting cold mid-hair-washing! However, power showers do come with some disadvantages, namely high water consumption and an expensive installation and repair price, though this can be counteracted by using an eco option.

Features of a Power Shower:

High water-consumption
Recommended to have a large hot water tank
Requires a heating element for both hot and cold water

Benefits of a Power Shower:

Offers premium pressure and temperature control
Built-in pump automatically pumps water at a gusty speed
Cheaper and more convenient that installing a mixer shower and pump separately

Power Showers work well with:

Low-pressure water systems
Almost all gravity-fed systems

Digital & Smart Showers

These high-tech options are the latest innovation in shower technology. These two options are almost synonymous with one another, but not quite; both offer incredibly precise temperature control and control this temperature and flow electronically, a Smart shower just also has the ability to be controlled via an app, Google or Alexa. Most have the ability to save personalised settings, and some smart showers, such as the Aqualisa Quartz Touch Digital, can be voice-commanded and even have a proximity sensor which automatically reduces water flow when you step away. You’ll have to be sure to check what kind of shower system you have before forking out for a digital/smart shower; if you have a gravity-fed system or a low-pressure one, a pumped option would be best, though there are also higher pressure versions created specifically for use with combi boiler or those with a mains-pressures system.

Features of a Digital Shower:

Has a built-in digital thermostat inside the shower unit
Options are available for all types of boilers or water system
Works like a mixer shower by taking hot water straight from your boiler

Benefits of a Digital Shower:

Accurately adjust the water temperature by degree
Personalise settings to suit your desired functionality
Able to safeguard young children against scalding and thermal shock

Digital Showers work well with:

Households with elderly people and/or young children
Those seeking a high-tech option that sports a minimalist, space-saving design

Ultimately, picking out your perfect shower is primarily down to personal preference and lifestyle, though in some cases you’ll have to consider what your water pressure is like or what kind of boiler you have. Of course, if you’re not sure what shower type to invest in, it’ll be worth consulting a plumber just to be certain. You can also feel free to contact us regarding your bathroom enquiries through the Builder Depot Showroom Page, where our specialised staff will be happy to help.

After a completely transformed bathroom space and not just a new shower? We've got you. Our comprehensive Bathroom Renovation Guide will expertly navigate you through the trials and tribulations of revamping your bathroom, guaranteeing a smooth and gratifying experience from start to finish.

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