Whether you’ve made the decision to replace an old and inefficient electric shower or you have a new space in your home that requires a shower installing, it’s worth taking the time to look at the options available on the market. This will make sure that the electric shower you plump for ticks all the boxes.
Read this handy guide for an introduction to how they work, a summary of the differences between electric showers and power showers, and an outline of what to look for to make sure you choose the best electric shower for your bathroom.
How do electric showers work?
So, let’s start by looking at how they function. Electric showers only heat water as you need you it – passing cold water over a small but powerful built-in heating element, before mixing it with the required amount of cold water and pushing it out through your shower head. For this reason, they only need to be connected to a cold water supply, making them straightforward to fit.
Because they heat water on-demand, you don’t have to waste money heating a tank full just for one shower, either, so where energy efficiency is concerned, they’re a great choice. They’re compatible with any system, regardless of the type of boiler you have, and often offer good value, too.
Electric showers vs. electric power showers
Before you choose the best shower for your bathroom, it’s important to know the difference between a standard electric shower and an electric power shower. This can help you decide which is the ideal option for you.
They look similar – however they are in fact very different. Where a regular electric shower only uses a cold water supply, an electric power shower needs both hot and cold, mixing them together to the desired temperature. Power showers also feature an integral pump to increase the intensity of the water flow – a good option if your water pressure is low. However, it’s worth nothing that power showers are incompatible with combi boilers and pressurised systems.
Easy installation
Requiring only a cold water supply, electric showers make sense if you’re looking for a quick and relatively easy installation option. So, for this reason, they’re ideal if you’ve added a new downstairs shower room, en suite or bathroom to your home, but don’t have existing plumbing for hot water. It’s generally much easier just to add a cold water feed enabling you to install an electric shower. To see how simple electric shower installation can be, check out our guide here.
You can tailor your choice of electric shower to the room you’re fitting it in, too. Opting for a simpler model if it’s going to be fitted in an additional shower room for the kids to use, or going all-out with a stylish contemporary feature-packed design if you’re giving the house bathroom a full makeover. The range of styles, wattage ratings and tech specs give you the freedom to get the right one for you.
Thermostatic or manual?
Once you’ve made the decision that an electric shower is right for your bathroom, you need to choose between a thermostatic or manual model. The benefit of a thermostatic electric shower is that the temperature will remain constant throughout the duration of your shower.
Having your lovely warm shower interrupted by hot or freezing water when someone turns on a tap or flushes the toilet, is definitely not ideal. Thermostatic electric showers, therefore, are recommended for households with young children. Manual electric showers, however, are easy to use and can be cost effective, ideal if you’re designing a bathroom on a budget.
Deciding what wattage you need
Your next step is to pick the kilowatt rating (kW) of your shower – this essentially translates to its power and pressure, so the higher the rating, the stronger the flow of water at your chosen temperature. The higher wattage showers also tend to come in at a higher spec, so if you’re searching for an electric shower for a luxury bathroom, it’s worth bearing this in mind.
Kilowatt ratings start with the Mira Sport 7.5kW – a modern style electric shower that won’t blow the budget. And up at the top end, the Mira Sport Max 10.8kW not only delivers a powerful showering experience but also features Airboost technology so water droplets feel bigger without actually using up any more water.
Choose your style
Contemporary and modern
But it’s not just about performance. Today’s electric showers come in a range of styles and colours so you can make sure that the model you choose complements the look of your bathroom, too. So for those creating a high-end, designer-inspired bathroom with sleek tiling and minimal contemporary appeal, you don’t have to compromise when it comes to your electric shower.
Mira’s Alero shower is a statement piece that comes with a Black Glass or White Glass front panel – the perfect mix of pared-back chic and easy-to-clean convenience. Teamed with sleek chrome fittings, it’s the ultimate choice for a modern bathroom and packed with the latest technology for an unrivalled showering experience.
Heritage-inspired
If your bathroom has a strong heritage influence, there are electric showers out there which blend modern technology with period-style design. Take our Grand Exposed shower system, for example. Made from stainless steel for durability and modern ease, this electric shower is designed to add a traditional focal point to any bathroom.
With classic Victorian-influenced character – yet a raft of modern features – it not only includes an overhead ‘watering can’ style showerhead but a hand-held one, too. Every last detail has been considered so while you enjoy your luxuriously warm shower, you can appreciate the finishing touches, too.
Standard and conventional
The electric shower you choose doesn’t have to make its own style statement. You could opt for one in a more conventional style that still meets every need. But rest assured, today’s shower designs are reliably modern, most coming in classic white for a clean and contemporary look that matches your sanitaryware, with sleek chrome fittings.
The Mira Sport collection – from the simple 7.5kW option through to the Sport and the Sport Max with Airboost – all have that fresh modern look that works so well in family bathroom, shower room or en suite. Fuss-free in design yet with technology built in so you can choose the power, the performance and the additional tech to get the best electric shower for your bathroom.
