| Water system types | | LP Low Pressure | The most common in UK
homes, with gravity-fed cold (from a tank typically in the loft) and hot water from a cylinder. Minimum distance from shower head
and outlet from cold tank = 1 metre.
| | HP High Pressure | | A system that is becoming
increasingly popular, which uses a combi boiler that heats the water as you use it. | HPU High Pressure Unvented | |
Where the hot water is stored under pressure in a large cylinder in the airing cupboard or garage. |
| MCW Mains Cold Water | | Where the mains cold water supply is used, normally for electric showers, when the water is heated within the shower unit. |
Choosing the right shower will make your showering experience one to be remembered.
Firstly you need to ascertain what type of water system you have. Once you have identified the type of water system you have, then you can choose your shower.
Digital Mixer showers - Built in digital intelligence that takes water from the hot and cold supplies and mixes to the required temperature.
- You can choose between a pumped or high pressure version.
- Ideal if your home has a plentiful supply of hot water.
- You should not use a pumped shower with a high pressure water system.
Mixer Showers - As the name would suggest, this type of shower mixes hot and cold water to the desired temperature.
- Generally, mixer showers flow faster than electric showers.
- You can improve the flow of the shower with the addition of a pump.
- Ideal for homes with a plentiful water supply, either through a gravity fed or high pressure system.
Electric Showers - Electric showers take water from the mains cold water supply only.
- They heat the water when you turn the shower on by passing it over a heating element inside the shower.
- They don't use up any stored hot water so are ideal for households where there is a limited supply of hot water or large families with constant demands on the shower.
- Extremely convenient, electric showers are ready to use at any time of the day or night.
Power Showers - power showers mix the hot and cold water to reach the desired temperature.
- They produce a more impressive spray force than mixer or electric showers because the pump boosts the flow
- You can choose an all-in-one power shower, or create the same effect by adding a pump to a mixer shower.
- Ideal for homes with a plentiful supply of hot water.
- You should not use a power shower with a high pressure water system.
Thermostatic Showers - A thermostatic shower maintains a preselected temperature.
- Prevents water reaching uncomfortable or harmful temperatures.
- The internal thermostat responds to changes in the in-coming
water, so if someone runs a tap or flushes a toilet the shower will adjust to keep the temperature constant.
- Ideal if there are young children or elderly people in your home, as the water temperature can be easily regulated.
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