All-in-one Power Showers

Ellie2758

The ones where the pump is integral - are they a good thing or a bad thing? Is it better to get one with a separate pump? (we dont have a combi-boiler, btw) Hubby is worried that being gravity-fed is going to be a problem as the shower is higher than the hot water tank.

muir_steve

As longasyour cold water tank is higher than the shower it should be ok to install a power shower. Ususally has to be around 1m above shower head.

I would put a shower and seperate pump in, although this will probably bemoreexpensive initially, if the pump or shower packs in you only have to replace that part and not the whole unit.

Alan_M_2

Over the years of installing bathrooms I fitted countless pumped showers, there are three ways to go....

1/Traditionally with a seperate pump and thermostatic valve - this gives far more scope for the design and make of the shower unit itself, it's not cheap, but isolates the various components if theres ever a failure in the future. You can also buy a pump to suit your exact requirements.

2/Fully contained pumped unit, (e.g. Aqualisa Aquastream) looks like an electric shower with a box on the wall which contains the pump and draws a hot and cold feed. - Not the most aesthetically pleasing units generally, but a much cheaper alternative to the traditional option.

3/Digital integrated pumped unit (e.g. Aqualisa Quartz) These showers absolutely revolutionished the installation of pumped units, the pump and thermostatic valve are all self contined in a serviceable box which can be sited hidden in the bathroom or in the loft depending on model chosen. The hot and cold feeds are sent to the box, mixed and pumped out a single outlet to the shower head. More expensive than option 2, but far better looking, almost all the advantages of option 1 but very easy installation.

I'm a huge fan of the Aqualisa Quartz, I've lost count of the number of these units I fitted, and I've yet to have either a failure or a customer that wasn't absolutely delighted wih the result.

Ellie2758

Thanks. Spookily, the aqualisa quartz was the original recommendation of the bathroom company who have quoted for us. BUT they wanted £593+vat for it!!!! I've since found it online for £383 inc vat. They say it has a 5 year guarantee.....

Ellie

Alan_M wrote:

Over the years of installing bathrooms I fitted countless pumped showers, there are three ways to go....



3/Digital integrated pumped unit (e.g. Aqualisa Quartz) These showers absolutely revolutionished the installation of pumped units, the pump and thermostatic valve are all self contined in a serviceable box which can be sited hidden in the bathroom or in the loft depending on model chosen. The hot and cold feeds are sent to the box, mixed and pumped out a single outlet to the shower head. More expensive than option 2, but far better looking, almost all the advantages of option 1 but very easy installation.

I'm a huge fan of the Aqualisa Quartz, I've lost count of the number of these units I fitted, and I've yet to have either a failure or a customer that wasn't absolutely delighted wih the result.

Alan_M_2

Yup plenty available at discounted rates, but do bear in mind that part of the profit of the installers is a mark up on the items they supply, so you may find their fitting cost increases if you want to supply your own equipment.

Also bear in mind that if any equipment you supply fails once fitted, it's nothing to do with the company that installed it and it's down to you to sort the problem out, if the fitting company supply and fit you have one port of call for any future problem.

Ellie2758

Alan_M wrote:

Yup plenty available at discounted rates, but do bear in mind that part of the profit of the installers is a mark up on the items they supply, so you may find their fitting cost increases if you want to supply your own equipment.

Also bear in mind that if any equipment you supply fails once fitted, it's nothing to do with the company that installed it and it's down to you to sort the problem out, if the fitting company supply and fit you have one port of call for any future problem.

Yes, that is hubby's opinion too. I guess we will just have to bite the bullet and pay a fortune for the new shower, OR keep the old electric shower.

Ellie

gromituk

What is the vertical distance between the shower head and the surface of the water in the cold tank? Do you really need a power shower? You can use huge amounts of water and energy with these, and a gravity-fed shower is quite likely to be better than an electric one anyway.