New shower head to boost shower

Kim_kim

I have a Mira Sport electric cold fill shower - fed from the mains pressure.
It!!!8217;s adequate, it!!!8217;s not awful, but when I stay in a good hotel with a great shower I realise it!!!8217;s just adaquate.

Anyway the Mira shower head has developed a little split along the seem & water is coming out, so I need to get a new one.

I!!!8217;m not on a water meter.

I!!!8217;m not sure if my system is low pressure, but it!!!8217;s definitely NOT high pressure :-( is there a barely middling ish pressure.......
I had to get a tap for low pressure in my kitchen, I wanted one of those high swan neck ones and you can!!!8217;t use most of them with my pressure - anyway I got a Bristan & it!!!8217;s brilliant now.

Anyway are there any shower heads I can buy to get a better more powerful shower?

Aylesbury_Duck

You can't generate more pressure by changing heads because the water will be delivered at mains pressure and the shower will only dispense it at a rate it can heat it, but you can change the way the water is delivered by changing the head. However, check the instructions for your shower because there may be limitations on the type of head you can fit.

Head_The_Ball

As above changing heads won't necessarily give you a better shower although there are some heads that aerate the water and give the appearance of a higher flow rate. You could try one of them and see if it makes a difference.

Electric showers are limited by 1) the heating capacity of the shower unit and 2) the maximum water flow rate available.

If you have a high pressure water supply with a high flow rate, then you usually have to limit the flow through the shower unit in order to get sufficiently warm water. Too much water going through the unit means it cannot heat it to normal shower water temperature (35 to 38 degrees C). You get high flow rate but too cool water.

If you have a low pressure water supply with a low flow rate then you probably run the shower at maximum flow rate and still get 35 to 38 degrees C water.

Is yours a 9kw shower unit?

When you use it, do you turn the flow down from maximum to get sufficiently warm water or can you run it at maximum flow and still get warm enough water.

If the latter, then the limiting factor is the flow of water and not the heating capacity of the shower unit. Unless you can increase the water flow you are stuck with an adequate shower. Is there a pressure limiting valve on the incoming water mains?

If the former, then a more powerful (10.5kw) shower unit should give you higher flow shower at the same temperature as at present.

If you decide to go down that route, you would need to ensure that the existing wiring will support a higher power shower. If it isn't then you have a major rewiring job and may not consider it worthwhile. Do not, under any circumstances, take a chance on that as a more powerful shower unit could overload the existing wiring with potentially very serious consequences.

The difference between 9kw and 10.5kw may or may not be worthwhile to you.

Kim_kim

Head_The_Ball wrote: »

As above changing heads won't necessarily give you a better shower although there are some heads that aerate the water and give the appearance of a higher flow rate. You could try one of them and see if it makes a difference.

Electric showers are limited by 1) the heating capacity of the shower unit and 2) the maximum water flow rate available.

If you have a high pressure water supply with a high flow rate, then you usually have to limit the flow through the shower unit in order to get sufficiently warm water. Too much water going through the unit means it cannot heat it to normal shower water temperature (35 to 38 degrees C). You get high flow rate but too cool water.

If you have a low pressure water supply with a low flow rate then you probably run the shower at maximum flow rate and still get 35 to 38 degrees C water.

Is yours a 9kw shower unit?

When you use it, do you turn the flow down from maximum to get sufficiently warm water or can you run it at maximum flow and still get warm enough water.

If the latter, then the limiting factor is the flow of water and not the heating capacity of the shower unit. Unless you can increase the water flow you are stuck with an adequate shower. Is there a pressure limiting valve on the incoming water mains?

If the former, then a more powerful (10.5kw) shower unit should give you higher flow shower at the same temperature as at present.

If you decide to go down that route, you would need to ensure that the existing wiring will support a higher power shower. If it isn't then you have a major rewiring job and may not consider it worthwhile. Do not, under any circumstances, take a chance on that as a more powerful shower unit could overload the existing wiring with potentially very serious consequences.

The difference between 9kw and 10.5kw may or may not be worthwhile to you.

Mira Sport is an expensive shower & it!!!8217;s fairly new - I don!!!8217;t want to change it.

It had 2 or 3 different powers - I put it in the max. Then you turn the dial up or down to go hotter and slower or cooler and faster.
I rarely get it to mid point, it heats up well so I get a faster flow, usually about a third this time of year.

I know I cannot change the water flow - I!!!8217;m not entirely stupid. But I know they do shower heads for low pressure and shower heads for high pressure systems - like they do taps.

I just wanted to improve the feel of it, as I!!!8217;m buying a new one anyway.

I!!!8217;m a bit clueless about brands and I was hoping for some recommendations.

Lorian

If you have a newish Mira sport (less than about 4 years old) then it will already have the best head mira do for it.

I trust you have it in high power mode not medium/eco.

Flow will probably pick up a bit during summer months depending on your input pipes.

but as said - its an electric shower - it wont compete with many Hotels showers - but will be better than some!

Owain_Moneysaver

You need a replacement shower head for an electric shower, not a mixer shower. Usually these are classed as low pressure because they have very small holes to restrict the flow and make a 'squirt'

Fitting the correct type of shower head is critical to the safe performance of your shower, especially if you have an electric shower. Some shower heads are only suitable for use on mixer showers as the flow of water from them can be restricted or stopped completely, which can result in a build- up of potential hot water which could, under pressure, be unexpectedly released.

Triton Showerheads

However, be careful if buying a cheaper version of a multi-mode head, because when you change the spray pattern the water to the shower can be momentarily shut off, which can cause back pressure in the system and result in a blown pressure relief device.

This is not so much a concern if you have a good quality multi-mode shower head, however.

The very best option would be to go for a top quality head from the same manufacturer as your shower.

Showerdoc

Kim_kim

Lorian wrote: »

If you have a newish Mira sport (less than about 4 years old) then it will already have the best head mira do for it.

I trust you have it in high power mode not medium/eco.

Flow will probably pick up a bit during summer months depending on your input pipes.

but as said - its an electric shower - it wont compete with many Hotels showers - but will be better than some!

I think (looking at the Mira Page) it’s the Mira Beat multiflow.
You think I should replace like for like?
I was looking at the 360M & the Switch.
Yes high power mode.
Don’t get me wrong, for an electric house shower it’s good, but when you get into a shower that’s so powerful it’s almost pushing you, you know it could be a lot better.

Lorian

I've used

Mira Response (avoid - old model now)
Mira nectar (didn't like)
Mira Beat 4
Mira Beat Multi

The beat 4 is good but I like the beat multi the best - but I only use two of the settings generally. The beat is a lot better than the old Response - but otherwise there isn't that much difference. just avoid the beat with only the one setting.

These heads can be quite expensive separately - always worth checking eBay for new ones.

Lorian

one other thing to remember, they don't last for ever (>10 years you are doing well) - and when the tank goes its nearly as expensive to replace that as the whole shower kit, including the head.

Also - if the pipe feeding it goes through the loft make sure its lagged well - that will help a little with the flow in the winter months and importantly keep ice out of the (plastic) flow valve (£38)- which will split if it freezes. had to replace one of those recently.

Kim_kim

Lorian wrote: »

one other thing to remember, they don't last for ever (>10 years you are doing well) - and when the tank goes its nearly as expensive to replace that as the whole shower kit, including the head.

Also - if the pipe feeding it goes through the loft make sure its lagged well - that will help a little with the flow in the winter months and importantly keep ice out of the (plastic) flow valve (£38)- which will split if it freezes. had to replace one of those recently.

I don!!!8217;t think mine is even 2 years old. It!!!8217;s over a year though.

I!!!8217;ve decided to replace it with another Mira Beat - but I!!!8217;ll get the 11cm head, in fact mine might be the 11cm. I!!!8217;ll know when the new one comes.

I finally found where to find the info on the various Mira heads being suitable for what showers.

Can I remove the restrictor valve?

Kim_kim

Lorian wrote: »

I've used

Mira Response (avoid - old model now)
Mira nectar (didn't like)
Mira Beat 4
Mira Beat Multi

The beat 4 is good but I like the beat multi the best - but I only use two of the settings generally. The beat is a lot better than the old Response - but otherwise there isn't that much difference. just avoid the beat with only the one setting.

These heads can be quite expensive separately - always worth checking eBay for new ones.

Weird, I can’t find a beat 4 and a beat multi - just a beat 4


https://www.mirashowers.co.uk/parts-accessories/shower-heads/products/?page=3&sort=name-asc