What kind of shower do i need???

[Ryan83]

Hi all, new to this place so go easy on me

Before i start i don't have the foggiest about plumbing etc, which is why i'm here!!

We are looking at having a shower installed, currently we only have a bath. We have been looking at all different showers but can't make head or tail of which type we should be looking at buying!

I'm told that we have a Condenser Boiler if that is any kind of help?

Thanks

 

[flameport]

Your choice of shower will depend on what hot water system you have.

Does your boiler heat the water as it is used (when you turn on the hot tap, the boiler switches on)
or is the hot water stored in a cylinder?

If a cylinder, do you also have water tanks in the loft / above the cylinder?

At the bath taps, does the pressure of the hot and cold seem the same, or is the cold much higher pressure than the hot?

 

[dcawkwell]

Regardless of combi or hot water tank.
Easiest is a mains electric shower. Approx £60-100 from argos, hook it up to the mains and electric. Job done.

 

[flameport]

Regardless of combi or hot water tank.
Easiest is a mains electric shower. Approx £60-100 from argos, hook it up to the mains and electric. Job done.

Electric showers are rubbish, and should only be considered if that is the only possible option.

 

[45yearsagasman]

A 10kw electric shower is just about ok this time of the year but in the Winter will struggle to give a reasonable flow rate and still maintain good temp.
They require new cable and all the electrical upgrades necessary for a safe installation. Can be expensive.
As said your water system will dictate the shower you require.

 

[Ryan83]

Flameport, we have a Hot Water tank !! Theres a big tank thing in the loft!

The Hot water pressure at the taps, i would say is probably a bit 'weaker' than the cold.

 

[flameport]

If both the hot and cold are from the tank in the loft, then options are:

a. mixer valve, cheap but flow and pressure won't be particularly good, unless your bathroom is downstairs and/or the tank in the loft is on a high stand.
b. mixer valve with a separate booster pump
c. power shower, which is a+b in the same box, although these are noisy as you are standing right next to the pump motor when taking a shower. These also require an electricity supply installing at the shower position.

If you fit option a, and then decide the pressure/flow is not good enough, the booster pump can be fitted afterwards. The pump normally goes next to the hot water cylinder.

For these to work, both the hot and cold must come from the tank in the loft. You can confirm this by placing your thumb over the tap outlet and turning the tap on - if from a tank, you should be able to stop the water easily.
If you can't stop the cold water with your thumb, then it is from the mains, and an extra pipe will be required from the tank in the loft to the shower position. Not a particularly difficult or expensive job.

 

[Charnwood]

What make/model is the boiler?

If it is a condensing combination boiler, how far is it to the bathroom, and how difficult would it be to run a cold mains pipe and a hot pipe from the boiler to the bathroom?

 

[Ryan83]

Thanks Charnwood. As it's a council owned property i'm unsure of the actual model 'number'. The Manual that is with the boiler says it's an Ideal icos, HE12, HE15, HE18 or HE24.

Also, it calls the boiler a Conventional and Condensing boiler.

Hope this helps you

 

[cantaloup63]

If the cold supply to the taps in the bathroom is mains pressure (and not from the tank in the loft), then either a new additional cold supply from the cold water tank as described earlier or a venturi.

Before you start looking at the pump solution, you should be aware that may have to have a larger coldwater tank installed.

 

[Steve]

I have a power shower, it is loud. It has its own dedicated cold water tank in the loft. All other cold taps are mains fed.

I looked in Argos for power showers, couldnt find any. They seem to be a dying breed.

But any type of pumped shower is the best shower you will ever have. Dont buy an electric shower, they arent worth the money especially when you have a perfectly good heated water supply.