How do I know what pressure system I have re: choosing new shower?

[sophierosie]

Currently have a knackered old powershower that I think is on its last legs. It is struggling to heat up the water.

So, do I replace with another power shower or have a shower from the mains (it will be with a mixer tap as bathroom is too small).

Which has more pressure. Hot water is provided by condensing boiler.

Some of the bathroom fittings I'm looking at say they need either a high pressure system atleast 1.0 bar pressure.

How do I know what pressure goes with what?

You can't have a power shower with a condensing boiler alone - it needs to have a tank to feed from to keep the pressure up. How is the water when it comes out of taps - does it gush out and fill bath really fast or is it sluggish? That will give you an idea of the pressure you are working with.

The best thing is to get a plumber in to quote for refit and ask his advice on what would suit. You are limited with pressure if all hot water comes via boiler but not impossible to find good shower - make sure you choose thermostatic so it keeps its temperature if someone in kitchen turns on tap .

OK, am now v confused as there is no tank in the house so haven't got a clue where the water comes from for the powershower. It definitely doesn't come from the boiler.

Will investigate...

Do you mean you haven't got a hot water cylinder? (some people occasionally put them up in the loft but most people have them in the airing cupboard etc.) If you haven't, the chances are you've got a combi boiler which heats up water as you need it. In which case you should just be able to have a mixer shower because the heated water is at quite a high pressure already and doesn't need to be pumped as with a power shower.

Power showers don't actually heat up the water, they just put it under higher pressure so the flow feels better. Are you sure you're not talking about an electric shower (which obviously does heat up cold mains water)?.

Must add I only know all this because we've just had a new combi boiler fitted and because our old electric shower was crap, decided to fit a new mixer shower as well. The difference is fantastic, washing and exfoliation at the same time

Ok, yes I do have an electric shower - not a powershower - see I really don't know what I am talking about

I definitely have a combi-boiler as it was installed on DD's due date!

Did you fit a mixer shower from the bath taps or separate shower unit?

You can do either with a combi. Electric showers pretty rubbish in my experience - really the best thing to do is to speak to a plumber (since presumably you will need one to install it) and take advice on what sort of pressure you have and what would suit it. A really good thermostatic mixer would be best which you can install over bath or in separate unit if you have the space.