Shower recommendations

Modchick61

Hello all
I've currently got an Aqualisa Quartz Digital Shower in my bathroom. It's now ten years old and to be honest the water coming out is now lukewarm so I'd like to get a new shower fitted. I've had a number of letters from Aqualisa offering a discounted upgrade to their newer model. Even with the discount it's still £680 (though with fitting) which feels like a lot of money. Having said that I don't know if that is average?
On the plus side I've had no problems with it so it feels reliable, but equally before making the jump I'd like to know if anyone has any recommendations for alternate brands? For what it is worth the water pressure where I live is not very good and the water here is really hard. I don't know much about these things but I think a chunk of what makes the system work is in the loft as I've had to have someone come out and find out why the water is so cold. I've been told the mixer is gone but not sure what that even does?
Sorry for the ramble but advice/recommendations would be most gratefully received.
Thanks!

knightstyle

That sounds very expensive just to replace the shower, is it electric? If so is the new one the same wattage? Older showers tended to be lower so the price may be for running a new electric supply as well as the shower.
If so ask how much just to replace the shower with a similar wattage one.
Most branded showers are fine, not worth paying extra for a deluxe model.
Ask your local electrician and plumber to give a quote, remember that whoever does the electrical connection needs to be registered, look http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/choosing-an-electrician/ and follow their advice.

Ruski

You could replace just the controller, but IMHO Aqualisa have had a few problems with the more recent models.

I have now switched loyalty to Mira Digital - sounds like you have all the necessary in place, a swap is relatively easy.

HTH

Russ

Ruski

knightstyle wrote: »

That sounds very expensive just to replace the shower, is it electric? If so is the new one the same wattage? Older showers tended to be lower so the price may be for running a new electric supply as well as the shower.
If so ask how much just to replace the shower with a similar wattage one.
Most branded showers are fine, not worth paying extra for a deluxe model.
Ask your local electrician and plumber to give a quote, remember that whoever does the electrical connection needs to be registered, look http://www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician/choosing-an-electrician/ and follow their advice.

Not applicable to Digital showers I'm afraid.

Russ

Niv

You might want to look into a water softener. A friend of mine lives in a hard water area and has a system that reduces the limescale. He used to have to replace his shower frequently but now the hard water is not an issue.

Strider590

For reference, my shower a 9.5KW "Triton Inscriptions" fancy glass fronted thing, cost me £50 about 7 year ago (on eBay because the white one was less popular than the black), the only real cost was having to the replace the old shower wiring (which wasn't up to the job), I think the new cable, switch gear and RCD cost me about £25. It took me about 4 hours to install.

Granted most people can't do this themselves, but I recommend pricing up things individually so you know your not being ripped off.

Modchick61

Hello all and thank you for the replies,
This is going to sound a bit stupid but I don't know if it's an electric shower or not. I don't think it is. I think it connects directly to a boiler thing in the loft. Certainly a chunk of the hardware is up there as that is how my plumber found that it was the mixer that had failed.
Interesting feedback re. Aqualisa having problems. Feedback on another site suggested that some people had had problems but I was going on the basis that sometimes people only post reviews when they haven't been impressed. I had been attracted to Aqualisa because it the 5 year guarantee and mine had been in for 10 years so was going on reliability. Having said that their showers seem to be all bells and whistles but all I want is a hot shower that is going to be reliable so I'll certainly take a look at Mira and if anyone else has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.
Again thanks to everyone who took the time to respond - you've been very kind.