What type of shower?

[WitchofScots]

We're having a new bathroom fitted and a plumber told DH we'd be better off with a shower that is fed from the boiler rather than an electric shower because it's cheaper to run and install.

Is this right? I've looked online and can't work out which shower would be best to run from a combi boiler.

What is your water pressure like?

good, too good really as if you turn on the taps too much you get soaked.

yes, it will be cheaper to run, and it can deliver more hot water than an electric shower. This is because a combi boiler is typically two or three times as powerful as the heater of an electric shower.

You can use a mixer shower. Aqualisa are particularly good. Other brands of mixer are available.

The one drawback is that when your combi boiler breaks down, you will have no hot water.

Run the hot and cold taps into a bucket, see how long it takes to fill, calculate how many litres per minute you get.

We have a lovely thermostatically controlled rain shower, which runs off the boiler, and we only ever use the hot water on the Eco setting so very economical. Only from the bath store, then with controls from Bristan bought online. Water is always a perfect temperature and very rarely have to adjust the setting. Our water pressure isn't bad, but the shower works really well.

I came on to say Aqualisa but see pigletjohn has beaten me too it! We have the quartz and first had one in our old house but it was a no-brainer to get another when we did this bathroom! It's truly fab - I actually look forward to coming home and having a shower when we go away!

Thanks, a mixer shower it is. The Aqualisa one look great except for the price! I was looking at an Ideal Standard Alto dual mixer earlier, maybe that one will be what we get.

Grohe are particularly good. Often used by hotels so you know the quality is good. We also like Crosswater for style. If you have good pressure get a fab rain shower with a small hand held as well.

have a look at Plumbworld who often have good deals.

Aqualisa make several thermostatic mixers with round knobs (better than bar mixers) at varying prices, but the internal mechanism is the same.

I recommend a surface-mounted mixer, because it is terribly depressing to smash tiles and dig out your wall if it ever goes wrong.

We've just refitted (swapped it from one bathroom to another) a Mira Excel mixer shower. I'd happily recommend it as It's been really reliable and is easy to get spares for (lost a screw cap whilst moving it).
It's a fab shower to use too.
We put a rather more fancy Abode one in our shower room but it was £££.

Thanks, I'll have a look. Yes, it's going to be surface mounted just in case. What is the problem with bar mixers please?

for some reason they are not as reliable as round mixers. They are cheaper, so not usually worth trying to repair.

Round mixers by the major makers last for many years, and can be fitted with new seals and cartridges when worn out.

You may also see fashionable mixers in square designs with plenty of corners and thin spiky levers. I think they are especially suitable for people who wear goggles and protective clothing in the shower, or never bump into things.

Thanks. Round mixers it is, mainly to avoid the need to equip the DCs with body armour and hard hats in the shower

PigletJohn I need your help please!

I have been reading your shower advice carefully; we're installing an ensuite and would like to have an Aqualisa shower. We're not bothered about it being digital but we would like an overhanging shower head and a handset. It seems like the only one that fits this description (without being v pricey digital version) is the Midas Plus, here - www.plumbworld.co.uk/aqualisa-midas-plus-17880-26481

But it is a bar mixer, which you advise against. Are they that bad? Or would we be okay to go for this as all our other criteria are met?

Very grateful for any of your wisdom

I suppose you need an extra changeover valve to divert the flow to one, the other, or both. I can't see one. You could ask their help desk. There might be an accessory.

Yes, the round ones really are better than the bar ones.

www.aqualisa.co.uk/our-products/browse-all-showers/

Thank you for that speedy response! I've just been doing a little more reading and found out that, because we won't have access to the space above the ensuite (no loft space), then an enclosed unit is best. So I'm now looking at this one!
www.plumbworld.co.uk/visage-concealed-digital-2674-28405#tab-tech

you mean built into the wall? That will be OK until it goes wrong and you have to break open the wall to change it.