Electric Shower vs Gas Powered Shower

Zola.

I am in the process of pricing up converting from oil to gas.

Had two guys in so far looking round the house, both recommended upgrading the shower as part of the job, which I am not against.

We have a fairly basic electric shower. One thing the guy said yesterday was that it will be much cheaper to run off gas compared with electric and three times more powerful.

Would it really be cheaper running a gas powered shower compared with electric? Something I hadn't considered, (for some reason) I always assumed it would be more expensive running a shower off oil or gas powered sources.

gardner1

Gas is cheaper per kWh than electric but one advantage is that if your boiler broke down you would still be able to have a hot shower

jk0

Another vote here for an electric shower. Otherwise you are at the mercy of boiler repair men when boiler breaks.

adandem

Running costs are significantly lower for a gas shower, love ours. Also very powerful.

LadyDee

An electric shower should provide more or less instant hot water. Depending where the gas shower is in relation to the boiler you would have to wait much longer for the heated water to reach the shower.

Owain_Moneysaver

Gas is about one-third the cost of electricity, but your combi boiler may be about 3x as powerful as an electric shower, so it'll still cost about the same to run. It will be a much better shower though, especially in winter when the incoming water is coldest.

EssexExile

Are you having a combi or system boiler?

fezster

Even the most powerful electric shower will deliver pitiful flow rates. It's OK as a backup, but I prefer a more powerful shower for daily use.

benjus

jk0 wrote: »

Another vote here for an electric shower. Otherwise you are at the mercy of boiler repair men when boiler breaks.

Seems strange to opt for an inferior shower every day just to cover that (usually) once-every-few-years event of a boiler breakdown.

jk0

benjus wrote: »

Seems strange to opt for an inferior shower every day just to cover that (usually) once-every-few-years event of a boiler breakdown.

Oh, well I usually take baths. Shower is just for summer when it's too hot for a bath, in my book.

Mr.Generous

Ideal scenario is gas shower in the ensuite, elec shower over the bath in family bathroom. I do agree an elec shower is a good backup in case of boiler issues.