There is nothing worse than a shower that dribbles from the shower head, changes temperature, or leaks icy water that runs down the outside of the hose. Enjoying a great shower is important, so it is worth fitting a decent one.

Some of the quality brands are Mira, Bristan, Triton, Grohe, Elbe, Hansgrohe, Rainsworth and Aqualiser, to name a few.

Any review site will recommend a shower, but what they rarely explain is that it must be supported by your electrics, plumbing system and water pressure. If it isn’t you may get no benefit. In some cases, replacing an electric shower with one connected to your combi is the best option and in other cases the reverse, so it is always wise to call an engineer to assess precisely what you need.

Common Reasons to Upgrade

A common reason to upgrade is to achieve a steady or higher temperature. In a system plumbed to a boiler this can depend on the boiler, thermostat, pipe bore, pipe run and other factors. In an electric system, going from 8.5kW to 10.5kW will be a big improvement but the house wiring must support it. A 10.5kW shower should run on cable of at least 16mm2.

Another reason is water pressure or the water flow rate. In some cases, extra pumps are needed, especially if you run an upstairs shower from a downstairs combi. In other cases, it depends on the height between the shower and a loft tank. Mixer and shower head design also have an influence, and so too will any lime scale inside the plumbing. The water flow and power of the heat source, whether electric or gas, must be in balance otherwise the thermostat will prevent you getting both at the same time.

Another feature to consider is safety. Some units allow you to lock-in a safe maximum temperature and come with hand rails to minimise the risk of slipping.