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Help with Combi Boiler/Shower please

Hi,

I am wanting to a fit a shower in my bathroom and I have a combi boiler. I am looking for the cheapest option, so will it be best just to buy a new tap/shower mixer and fix in my bathroom?

Or someone has mentioned a thermostatic mixer to me, which ensures the temp does not fluctuate? But this has to be mains connected? So does this mean I cannot buy one of these that have the taps too?

What is my best option? Will the temp fluctuate too badly? Would it be worth paying a plumber to fit a thermostatic mixer or will it be expensive?

A little advice would really help me.

Many Thanks

Comments

  • Owain_Moneysaver
    Owain_Moneysaver Posts: 11,393 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    You need a thermostatic mixer that is designed for use with combi boilers.

    Some types of mixer reduce the temperature by reducing the flow of the hot. The problem is if the flow reduces then the water from the boiler gets hotter - the combi and the mixer end up fighting each other to control the temp.
    A kind word lasts a minute, a skelped erse is sair for a day.
  • minibbb
    minibbb Posts: 342 Forumite
    I've just had my bathroom re-done and went with a Mira Element BIV shower which cost me £145 new from ebay (rrp £270) Its great and works v well with my new combie boiler. I have noticed the max temp isnt as hot as the hot taps go, a bit annoying as ideally I'd want it slightly hotter for a really invigorating shower!
    I'd do it properly, you wont regret spending that bit extra rather than settling for the poorer pressure a shower off the taps will offer.
  • jennifernil
    jennifernil Posts: 5,830 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    edited 15 April 2010 at 12:36AM
    Aqualisa do a thermostatic mixer tap/shower, we have fitted one in our daughter's flat, she has a combi boiler. It works very well.

    Thermostatic ones are not cheap, but much more satisfactory than the non-thermostatic ones.

    http://www.aqualisa.co.uk/Our-products/Browse-showers-by-range/Midas-100/

    http://www.aqualisa.co.uk/Our-products/Browse-showers-by-range/Midas-200/

    Not sure what you mean by "mains connected"?

    With a combi boiler all your water is at mains pressure.
  • ormus
    ormus Posts: 42,714 Forumite
    thermostatic shower mixers are not actually required for a combi.
    as the pressure is equal on both hot/cold.

    the old gravity systems certainly required/benefited from a thermostatic mixer.
    Get some gorm.
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