Gas Shower

jimi_man

We had an 7.2kw electric shower in our last house and it was absolute garbage. I fitted a 10.5kw one after swapping out the wiring etc and it was still… garbage. But we had a heat only vented boiler so normal pressure was virtually zero in the bathrooms upstairs.

Eventually I had to replace the boiler so got a new boiler, much larger hot water tank and I fitted a large pump which would run two showers at decent pressure at the same time. About 15L a minute on both but we weren't on a water meter until the last year.

Our current house has an unvented system with a large tank and plenty of pressure at the mains which I feel is much better than a combi in respect of showers. My previous experience of combis is a rather lacklustre shower affair and ages waiting for the hot water to come.

However in terms of 'gas' (combi) or electric then I agree above, combi every time. They are not the best but definitely miles better than electric though.

Baldytyke88

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/6682116/gas-shower

They are mixer showers, your hot water system could be gas or electric.

This is the type that I have

https://www.screwfix.com/p/commercial-chrome-100mm-lever-bath-shower-mixer-tap/25843?tc=HT8

There is also a type with a bar, perhaps someone can explain what the difference is.

No problems with my mixer shower; I would buy again.

victor2

The better showers have a thermostatic mixer control, so you just set the temperature and it does the rest, preventing you getting uncomfortably hot if somebody runs cold water on the same feed, like flushing the toilet!

Cordie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82131805#Comment_82131805

Thanks for the detailed reply WIAWSNB. If I go ahead with a shower I will be getting rid of the bath completely and having a cubicle shower. Given my age I don't feel it sensible for me to have one installed in the bath. I did guess 6 seconds and after multiplying by 10 it worked out at 15 litres from the cold tap and 10 from the hot.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133317#Comment_82133317

These are decent figures, and should give you a much better shower than provided by an electric jobbie, which will typically be only around 5-odd lpm, a little more or less depending on outside (mains water) temp. Ie - pants.

The 15lpm cold figure will more accurately indicate the actual mains supply, with the slightly lower 10lpm hot figure indicating that it's passed through a boiler = resistance.

A combi shower supplied from this should give you a solid 15lpm, which should feel really nice, a lot better than what you currently have.

What boiler do you have - what kW rating?

Anyhoo, based on your plans - replacing a bath with a proper shower cubicle due to age (I feel your pain…) - I would thoroughly urge you to go combi-powered thermostatic mixer shower. The difference between it and leccy is legion.

Also, don't scrimp on cubicle size. You presumably have at least 1700mm length to play with? Use most, if not all, of that. A good 1200mm at least, by 800mm wide - enough for a seat if/when needed, or to lift your toes for a good clean without crashing out the shower door.

And consider a dual shower - rainhead and handset - sometimes you just want hot rain to pour down on yer thinning 'ead.

The remaining space between the bath space and new cubicle can be shelved and hold yer towels.

Cordie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82133424#Comment_82133424

Thanks again I don't know the KW of my boiler but it is a Vaillant and well over 20 years old. I'm feeling this could be an obstacle and I may have to change this before I can go ahead with the shower.

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82134420#Comment_82134420

Hm, that's a valid point. Early combis - I don't know if that includes yours - may not 'modulate' in use in order to meet demand. Modern boilers do, and that means it'll alter the burner up and down to meet changing demand. So if you turn the shower's flow down a bit, the boiler should turn its burner down too so it maintains the supply temp at this reduced flow rate. Turn the shower on full for a good soak, and the boiler will fire up to max to supply this.

It should still work with your old Vaillant, but it's more likely to turn on and off to try and keep the temp constant. Tbh, I don't know how well an older, non-modulating, combi will work with a thermostatic shower mixer - anyone on here know?

Are you considering replacing your boiler?

Cordie

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82134523#Comment_82134523

I found the date the boiler was installed it was 26 years ago. Given this information I think a new boiler would probably be the best option. Any suggestions ?

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82135104#Comment_82135104

26 years?! A museum piece!

Can't offer a suggestion as I've been out of the boiler-buying loop for a while, but there are numerous threads on boiler choice, but often without a conclusion. I think fair to say, tho', that modern combis are pretty reliable items.

You should find the new boiler to be noticeably more efficient - that's good news. They will work to their optimum using Smart controls with a compatible communication 'protocol', so the controls can extract all the efficiency out of the boiler - make it work to its best. That's when it all goes a bit silly, tho' - there are a few different connection protocols, and each boiler make will require one that suits.

Ie, there is no set protocol that suits all boilers, so many appear to be installed with controls (room-stat/programmer) that don't get the best out of it.

With that, I hope more knowledgeable folk will advise.

WIAWSNB

I should add, tho', that if your Vaillant is still working reliably, and if your plumber can reassure you it'll supply a new thermostatic shower mixer with no issues, then the most financially 'sensible' thing to do is to go ahead and have your bathroom refit carried out, and keep the old boiler going for as long as possible.

Two reasons - one, you don't have to fork out £2-3k for a new boiler for a while, and two, technology is always advancing, so when your Vaillant does finally go terminal, there may be better options available than currently. And possibly grants and stuff for, say, Heat Pump alternatives.