| Electric Showers are a solution to a problem not | | | | fuse for 10.5Kw showers |
| always are they the best option for showering | | | | The installation of an electric shower can be |
| performance. | | | | expensive not necessarily from the plumbing point |
| I hear customers all the time saying to me "my | | | | of view if you have the right water supply, but |
| plumber say's I need an electric shower as I have | | | | from the electrical installation, you will need for |
| a combination boiler" why? are they scared of | | | | lower power options a 6mm cable or higher |
| committing themselves to using the hot water | | | | powered units 10mm run from the consumer unit |
| that the combination will produce, the truth is they | | | | (fuse board) to the shower and with the likelihood |
| are. | | | | of having to fit a RCD (Residual Circuit Device) |
| The problem often is that to win the job the | | | | and a double pole switch and in some cases an |
| plumber is quoting for a cheaper boiler although | | | | extra fuse board. I have had customers that |
| they will all perform well at 80-100,000 Btu's for | | | | have had an electric shower installed and there |
| the central heating side of the boiler the domestic | | | | main fuse into the property is not man enough, it |
| hot water performance is always not important | | | | does not take a lot electric cooker, electric water |
| to the consumer when taking up a quote, but this | | | | heating, storage heaters, kettle then add an |
| is one aspect that is going to fill your bath in good | | | | electric shower then bang the lights go out. |
| time and give you the shower that you dream of. | | | | Sorry this is the bit where I recommend always |
| If you are reading this article and have not yet | | | | consult a Qualified electrician. |
| committed to your new heating system or an | | | | You can expect a flow rate of between 4 - 8 |
| electric shower then these are the main questions | | | | liters per minute out of an electric shower |
| to ask of the installer about the boiler and your | | | | depending on the supply temperature and the |
| water system. | | | | power of the electric shower. On mains this will |
| Will the boiler heat up my house. | | | | be about 5 degrees cooler in the winter therefore |
| What Domestic hot water flow will the boiler you | | | | the heater will have to work a lot harder when |
| are suggesting produce at 38-42 degrees. | | | | you are wanting hotter showers. |
| What pressure do I have at the mains water | | | | Other Options for showering are: |
| supply. | | | | Power showers(gravity fed systems only) |
| What flow rate do I have on the cold water | | | | A pump and a shower valve, you can buy all in |
| supply. | | | | one power showers (integral power showers) or |
| If he cannot answer these questions then he is | | | | for best performance a recessed shower valve |
| probably not the right man for the job. | | | | with a separate pump. |
| Remembering that you need a good constant | | | | Thermostatic Shower Valves(both gravity and |
| pressure and a decent flow rate into the property | | | | mains fed) |
| to get any instantaneous heater to perform well | | | | The best performing showers available with the |
| whether it be a boiler or an electric shower. | | | | best designs, and the most options. |
| An electric shower is a good choice if your | | | | Manual shower Valves |
| property suffers from the following issues. | | | | Although these are cheap they can be quite |
| Small hot water storage capacity. | | | | dangerous for showering as they do not hold the |
| Combination boiler with a Low flow rate. | | | | temperature as a constant, and any other items |
| Requirements for the installation of an electric | | | | being turned on will effect the temperature. |
| shower. | | | | The should never be used with combination boilers |
| Minimum running pressure 1.0bar. | | | | or other modulating gas devices such as water |
| Spare 30amp fuse minimum for 7KW and 45amp | | | | heaters. |