The benefits of an electric shower

There are many benefits of an electric shower, which is why they’re so popular with UK homeowners. If you’re unsure whether an electric shower is right for your home, and how they compare to mixer showers, keep reading to find out all you need to know.

The benefits of an electric shower

Electric shower benefits are vast and many…

An electric shower doesn’t rely on the hot water tank supply, therefore you shouldn’t experience an unexpected cold shower (brrr). Instead, you should receive a consistent temperature, and the hot water should be available almost instantly.

Other electric shower benefits include:

• Easy installation, fitting most plumbing systems
• Great versatility, with various controls available
• Energy efficiency, minimising water and power usage

How does an electric shower work?

Electric showers include a heating element, which relies on an electrical connection with a cold-water supply.

Electricity fires up the heating element in the unit, which warms water as it passes through towards the head unit.

This results in an almost instant hot shower on demand.

Do electric showers have pumps?

Most electric showers don’t have a built-in pump (although some can be bought with a small internal pump). It’s therefore important to make sure the water mains pressure is adequate, otherwise, the shower will not function properly.

When selecting electric showers for low-water pressure areas, it’s often best to choose a model with an integrated pump.

Electric shower vs. mixer shower

By this stage, you may be wondering, “Do I need an electric shower?” or whether a mixer shower might be more suitable.

If you live in a busy household, you may find the water tank quickly runs out of hot water. An electric shower would therefore be a wise choice to ensure a steady supply of hot water.

Let’s compare some of the other features of electric and mixer showers to help you decide:

Water supply

Electric showers heat the cold water supply using electricity, whereas a mixer shower uses both hot and cold water from the water tank.

So if there’s no hot water left in the tank – or it’s being used elsewhere in the house – you could face a cold shower with a mixer variety.

Water pressure

If you live in a low-water pressure area, it’s important to choose an electric shower model with an integrated pump. Otherwise, the shower won’t function properly.

Having said that, it’s still important to check the compatibility of a mixer shower with your household water pressure, as some are specifically for low or high-pressure systems. Mixer showers are known to work well with combi boilers in homes with high water pressure.

Functionality

Electric showers have thermostatic controls for adjusting the temperature. This can be done using traditional dials, via a digital remote, or on a digital interface. From a looks point of view, electric showers are typically bulkier compared with mixer showers.

A mixer shower is typically either an exposed or concealed unit. Exposed valves sit on the wall, where temperature and pressure can be adjusted from the shower bar. Concealed valves are built-in to the wall, with just the control panel and shower head on show.

Installation

An electric shower is normally fairly straightforward to install, but it’s recommended to consult with a qualified electrician or plumber unless you’re confident you know what you’re looking at. If replacing an electric shower, it’s important to check the water and cable entry points, positioning, and wall fixings.

Similarly, if you’re replacing one mixer shower for another, it’s best to hire an experienced tradesperson who can advise on any style/design considerations to help minimise disruption to surrounding tiles, etc.

Environmentally-friendly credentials

Many electric showers have an eco setting to minimise water waste and power consumption. They also only heat the water that’s needed. For these reasons, they tend to be more environmentally-friendly than a mixer shower, as long as you don’t select an electric shower with a high wattage rating.

Choosing the right type of shower for your home

Before you go ahead and buy a shower, there are a few important considerations to bear in mind:

• The type of water heating system you have (combi boiler, gravity-fed, or unvented system)
• Your home’s water pressure
• The type of boiler you have

If you’re in any doubt, contact a local plumber who will be able to advise on the best type of shower for your home.

Find an approved tradesperson to fit your new shower

A plumber who is Part P certified can fit or replace an electric shower, otherwise, it’s recommended to hire a qualified electrician.

Find qualified and experienced tradespeople by entering your postcode into the search box below. All our members are vetted and approved, so you know you’re getting the real deal.

FAQs

Do electric showers use a lot of electricity?

This varies depending on the water provider, water flow, and temperature. As a guide, expect to pay around 40p/10 minutes running time. Electric showers are slightly more expensive than traditional systems. However, you’re paying for an instant – and constant – hot water supply in the shower, which many would argue, is worth it.

How do electric showers work?

Electric showers include a heating element, which relies on an electrical connection with a cold-water supply. Electricity fires up the heating element in the unit, which warms water as it passes through towards the head unit, resulting in an almost instant hot shower.

How long do electric showers last?

An electric shower typically lasts between 4-5 years before it needs replacing, but like anything, if you look after it, it’ll probably last longer.

What happens if water gets inside an electric shower?

If water gets inside an electric shower, it should, in theory, drain away through the bottom of the unit.

Are electric showers safe?

When buying an electric shower, be sure to select a model with built-in functions for temperature safety. This can include a safety stop function to cease the flow of water if it gets too hot and a high-temperature cap to prevent scalding. Electric showers are safe provided they are installed correctly.