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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Just being told that the shower in en-suite is electric

224 replies

Viviot · 17/06/2018 19:46

AIBU actually?

Doing redecoration in the recently built house, and had no idea such thing exists so didn't pay attention before.

And now being told that the shower in the ensuite bathroom is electric Confused

Just like why would you install that in 2010 built house with exceptional water pressure, and powerful boiler that provides boiling-hot water.the other bathroom has normal shower with hot water from boiler. Just like why??

Just being told that the shower in en-suite is electric
OP posts:
Vicky1990 · 17/06/2018 20:02

Does it matter how the water is heated as long as you get hot water from it.

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 17/06/2018 20:05

How on earth didn't you realise that it's an electric shower? I don't really see the problem if it's a decent one. We're redoing our bathroom and getting rid of the electric shower but I'm worried about it in case the boiler packs up.

Original poster
Viviot · 17/06/2018 20:07

Ok people, thank you so much for the replies!!

What are about the cost of electricity? Or is it more economical? We always had boiler with tank before and have never had any issues with it.

OP posts:
teaandtoast · 17/06/2018 20:09

'...normal shower with hot water from boiler.'

^That's an abnormal shower to me. Normal showers are electric. And very good when your boiler packs in.

suckonthatmaureen · 17/06/2018 20:10

I have two boiler powered showers, which are great.

However our combi boiler kept loosing pressure last winter which was definitely not great.

We are putting in a 3rd bathroom next year, and I will be putting an electric shower in there so that we have a back up.

I think that electric showers are more economical if you have a tank - they only heat the water you need.

Wanttomakemincepies · 17/06/2018 20:12

When we bought our house we thought about getting rid of the electric shower but our plumber talked us out of it. His argument was if the boiler breaks. We got a different head and no problems with it. Good pressure and temp and I like a long shower.

muffinthepuffin · 17/06/2018 20:12

We have an electric shower in our en suite and didn't realise our hot water was still on winter timing until a guest told us last week Blush
It's great having the back up, as PPs have said, and I prefer our electric one.

insancerre · 17/06/2018 20:12

Normal showers are electric

Original poster
Viviot · 17/06/2018 20:12

Grin honestly I had no idea till today's evening. My in-laws came to help us and mentioned it.

OP posts:
cariadlet · 17/06/2018 20:21

The shower in our bathroom uses water heated by the boiler, but we only really switch the boiler on if someone is going to need enough hot water for a bath (or when the central heating goes on in the winter).

I much prefer the electric shower in our downstairs shower room: press the switch to heat the water, have a lovely shower (hot and powerful) and then switch off as soon as I step out of the room. No wasteful heating of water that I don't use.

MilkyCoffeeAndSkinnySyrup · 17/06/2018 20:25

I'm glad I have an electric shower because if the boiler breaks, we can still have a nice, hot relaxing shower!

MrsExpo · 17/06/2018 20:27

We have two ... one of each. The electric one (in the en-suite) was a godsend when the boiler broke down.

lynmilne65 · 17/06/2018 20:28

Am glad I have an electric shower!

voldermorticia · 17/06/2018 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

somewhereovertherain · 17/06/2018 20:36

We have one of each as have a combi boiler and can’t run two power showers at the same time. Works well for us and gives us back up. Same in the kitchen gas hob electric oven.

specialsubject · 17/06/2018 20:41

you can work out cost if you know power of shower, your unit rate and how long a shower takes. clue - the answer to the last should not be twenty minutes!

EmmaGrundyForPM · 17/06/2018 20:41

We have an electric shower in the ensuite and a power shower in the main bathroom.. When there were 4 of us at home the electric shower was a godsend as ds1 could easily drain an entire tank with one shower.

Tambien · 17/06/2018 20:43

It’s crazy tbh. I have yet to see an electric shower that has any power at all.
Each time that I have to wash my hair with one of those, I end up spending ages to try and rinse the shampoo off my hair.

As for the ‘Just in case the boiler breaks down’, how often does it happen?
And of it was breaking down in winter, my main concern would be with the heating rather than having a shower tbh.

Daddystepdaddy · 17/06/2018 20:44

As others have said, an utter godsend of the boiler conks out. We have one in the downstairs bathroom no problem with the power.

GlomOfNit · 17/06/2018 20:44

What's the big deal? Are electric showers looked down on as being primitive or something?

We have a mix - and our ageing boiler often conks out leaving us without hot water unexpectedly. We can fill the bath with the electric shower and bath the DC.

Tambien · 17/06/2018 20:45

Hot water from a tank is also crazy tbh.
It’s not economical at all and you always end up with no hot water as soon as someone has had a bath.

Serioulsy, the uk is one of the few countries I know where people use that sort of system. Maybe there is a reason for it??

jarhead123 · 17/06/2018 20:47

Finding this thread confusing. Electric showers are the norm?

Redcrayons · 17/06/2018 20:49

I've got one of each as well and to join in the chorus, it's great when the boiler breaks down.

swampytiggaa · 17/06/2018 20:52

I’ve only ever had electric showers x would never choose to have one running off the boiler.

BIWI · 17/06/2018 20:52

As for the ‘Just in case the boiler breaks down’, how often does it happen?

Well, often enough, given how many people have already posted about this!

And when it does break down, you can guarantee it's:

  • just after you've got back from the gym/a run, and you're really hot and sweaty
  • the day after you've not washed your hair for a couple of days, so it's really lank and greasy
  • the day you have a really important social engagement
etc

And of it was breaking down in winter, my main concern would be with the heating rather than having a shower tbh

Not necessarily. If you're going to work, you'll be warm at work. But you don't want to be at work all hot, smelly and with greasy hair!