Whether you are investing in an entirely new bathroom or looking for a simple and relatively inexpensive upgrade to your existing one, choosing the right shower can be a challenge. In this series, we will be looking at the different types of shower and how they work, starting with the thermostatic shower.
Most people have heard of mixer showers – showers that draw from the existing water supply and you change the hot and cold feed to get the right temperature. Many people will also be familiar with the icy or – worse – boiling shower that happens when you are in the shower and someone in the house switches on a tap. Thermostatic showers are usually mixer showers, with an improvement.
What is a thermostatic shower?
In a nutshell, a thermostatic shower draws hot and cold water from your water supplies to reach the right temperature. Because the shower is designed to default to a specific temperature, they do not deliver hot or cold bursts when water is used elsewhere in the house. This is great for households where vulnerable people may inadvertently change the temperature, as well as for people who just don’t like being surprised with boiling or freezing bursts.
Most people will have seen thermostatic showers in hotel bathrooms, where the mixer tap is used to switch the shower on, but the temperature remains steady, despite lots of other people using the water at the same time.
Are there different types of thermostatic shower?
The term thermostatic relates to the shower’s capacity to maintain water temperatures. So, you can get thermostatic power showers and manual power showers, as well as thermostatic and manual electric showers and mains (mixer) showers. The type of shower that will work in your home will depend on the type of plumbing that you have, and your budget.
Can anyone have a thermostatic shower?
Because there are different types of thermostatic shower, it is possible to get one to meet your needs regardless of the type of boiler that you have. However, because they are more complex to fit, it can cost a bit more to fit a thermostatic shower than a manual one. If you are unsure of what will suit you and what the price differences will be, get in touch with a local plumber or bathroom specialist and ask for recommendations and quotes; remember, it is best practice to get at least two quotes so that you know you are getting the right deal.
If you are considering a bathroom revamp, follow Trust A Trader on Facebook or X for the next blog in this series on bathroom upgrades, including a summary of the different shower types and what boiler types they work well with.