Shower. Electric or Combi Boiler?

[Deleted User]

My home is being refurbed by the Council, who are installing a new bath, with a mixer tap/shower unit.

If the tenant purchases it, they will install an electric shower for us.

However, I've been advised that the mixer tap shower, running off the Combi Boiler, is a better option that an electric shower.

Thoughts/opinions anyone?

Browntoa

hot water demand elsewhere when using the shower from a Combi will cause temperature fluctuations , electric would be my choice

Grenage

I once ripped out an electric shower and replaced it with a thermostatic mixer - it was the best thing I ever did. It was a 24Kw boiler, and it replaced a 9.5Kw electric shower.

There were only two of us, so perhaps with a fuller house it would be less ideal. I've never used a good electric shower in my whole life.

[Deleted User]

Browntoa wrote: »

hot water demand elsewhere when using the shower from a Combi will cause temperature fluctuations.

I live alone, so nothing else will be drawing water from the Combi Boiler, while I'm showering.

Jonesya

Few thoughts:
Combi shower is cheaper to run - electric is 3-4 times the cost of gas. For a 10 minute shower, you're saving around 10p each shower (assumes 10kw shower)

Advantage with electric shower is less risk of being without washing facilities. If your shower breaks you can have a hot bath fed off the boiler, if the boiler breaks you still have the shower.

One thing - have you got existing wiring for the shower? Might want to check whether the council will install a new supply (cost?) and possible disruption. And if you've got existing wiring, you need to check the current rating of the circuit as this will determine your choice of shower (7, 8.5, 9, 10kw etc)

Norman_Castle

If its a thermostatic mixer shower the temperature should be constant. I fitted one a few years ago and am really happy with it. Apparently you get slightly better shower pressure compared to an electric shower from the same supply.
I'm not sure about the running costs. Gas heating is cheaper but I believe gas water heating is a similar cost to electric.

[Deleted User]

Jonesya wrote: »

Might want to check whether the council will install a new supply (cost?) and possible disruption.

Full installation is included, as part of the refurb.

As for disruption, the kitchen and bathroom is being rewired, so an extra bit of cabling is neither here nor there.

PasturesNew

If you have an electric shower you've got an extra option if the boiler's down. On the other hand, it's another system that could go wrong...

But, if the bath's fed by the boiler and there's an electric shower, you know you'll always be able to have a wash no matter which breaks.

[Deleted User]

PasturesNew wrote: »

But, if the bath's fed by the boiler and there's an electric shower, you know you'll always be able to have a wash no matter which breaks.

If the boiler breaks, I ring the Council and there'll be an engineer here the same day.

Have to say, buying an electric shower (which will stand idle for months at a time) seems like a lot of expense, just on the off chance the Combi Boiler might break down.

Norman_Castle

Who will maintain the electric shower?

dermonte

We have one of each and I love and prefer my combi boiler shower. There is more water running down on you and my hair doesnt get that much fizziness. My kids usually go for the electric shower though as you just have to press the button.