Electric or thermostatic shower

[aloneinthenight]

We need a new bathroom.

We've had a 9kw shower for the past 10 years which needs replacing.

One plumber has recommended a mixer shower, which involves a new header tank in the loft, pump and ripping up floorboards

Another plumber has said not worth it and we could have a 10.8kw electic shower for far less money which would still be good.

I'm torn. I want a really nice shower and don't want to be disappointed I picked the wrong one.

An electric shower will not be "as good" because it cannot deliver as much hot water, especially in winter.

What colour is your hot-water cylinder?

We have two Aqualisa digital showers and the pump sits above the bathroom and ensuite in the loft. We also have a remote button so you can turn it on and let it come to temp before you get in

https://www.aqualisa.co.uk/showers-and-taps/aqualisa-showers/digital-showers.html

I think the problem is that the en-suite is an extension above the garage, so relatively a long way from the loft.

Oh and it was minimum disruption to install it was the exposed one so the water supply and pipework comes direct from the loft
Think this is the one the kids have, ours is different as it has a water pressure boost button

_https://www.aqualisa.co.uk/digital-exposed-shower-mixer-visage.html

Not sure about that OP but I'm sure PigletJohn will know the answer

That looks awesome awesome!

Do you have a water tank or a combi boiler? We have a thermostatic valve shower in an over garage extension and no water tank. It's a long way from the boiler as well!

If you can fit a thermostatic shower (you have a hot water tank etc) i'd always go for that over anything electric. You can then easily fit an electric pump.

We have a hot water tank in an airing cupboard, cold water tank in the loft.

My shower pump is in the airing cupboard. Not cheap, but fabulous shower.

as you have a hot water cylinder, you can have a pumped mixer shower. It will be able to give a hotter, more powerful shower.

If your boiler breaks down, you can heat the cylinder with your electric immersion heater, so it will not be a severe problem, like when a combi breaks down and you have no hot water.

What colour is your hot water cylinder, and how big is it?

p.s.

Why do you say you'll need a new cold tank in the loft? is the old one too small?

Cold water tank is too small apparently.

Our hot water tank is green and airing cupboard is at opposite end of the upstairs to en suite. Does distance have an effect?

Our main bathroom is at right next door to the airing cupboard. Would it be easier to have a mixer shower in there?

Our airing cupboard and green hot water cylinder Is a long way from our en-suite too. But it’s a powerful pump, I’ve just had to replace it, (old one leaking but 20 years old) expensive at £400 odd.

the long distance means it will take longer for the hot water to reach the bathroom, but the pump will probably shift it quite quick. A washbasin would take longer.

If you possibly can, have the run of pipes lagged with stiff plastic foam. It will reduce heat wastage, and increase the time it takes pipes to go cold after use.

A green tank is less than twenty years old (newer ones are blue) and will heat fairly quickly if the boiler is running during shower time. If you ever need a new tank, get the biggest that will fit, and consider going over to an unvented cylinder, that runs at mains pressure and does not need a loft tank. it will give you unsurpassed HW. You may need to replace some of your old water pipes if they are not big enough to give a good flow.

That's really helpful thank you