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Electric Shower versus Pump
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Just bought a new house which needs renovating and am wondering which is the best solution to go for - electric shower for each bathroom or a booster pump which will service both bathrooms (Wickes have a pump that can do this).
The bathrooms back onto each other with the potential site for the pump very convenient in the airing cupboard which sits adjacent to both bathrooms. The ensuite has both hot and cold water running to the existing shower, the shower in the main bathroom only has a cold water supply but could re-plumbed to add hot water, which would not be a big job.
The question is - anyone got any experience of which solution works better?
Thank you!
Sue
Go for the pumped showers every time. Three reasons:
1. flow rate and pressure
2. temperature control (esp if you use thermostatic mixers in the showers)
3. Hot water costs - you can use whatever heating source is most efficient.
And the installation in the bathroom will be neater, with just the mixer rather than the wart-on-the-wall, cord switch etc.
One thing to beware of (particularly if your DHW temperature is high) is the longevity of plastic-bodied pumps. Some years back, I installed one which started to leak from the seams in the hot pump body. Replaced it with a brass-bodied Stuart-Turner pump, which is also quieter.
Thank you - experience tells me the pumped system should be better just having always lived abroad where they don't have this problem, it was difficult to know.
Todays electric showers can supply good flow rates along with very good temperature control + they look very modern along with requiring no external heat source , only a mains water supply of sufficient pressure along with 6 or 10 mm cable to electric supply.
NO QUESTION A PUMP IS BETTER THAN A ELECTRIC SHOWER BUT I WOULD RECOMEND A STAINLESS STEEL UNVENTED HOT WATER TANK (MEGAFLO, SANTON ETC). HASSLE FREE 25 YEAR GAURANTEE ON TANK FROM SOME MANUFACTURERS.
Thanks for the replies. I've since talked to B&Q who also recommended the pump as it could then service the 2 existing bathrooms and potentially, a shower room upstairs in the future. I'll talk to Wickes this week and see what they say but it looks like the pump is the better option for the moment.
Sue
Stick to a stuart turner or salamandar pump slightly more epensive but you get what you pay for have a look at ideal plumbing supplies online they are very competitive with their price.
Re: Electric Shower versus Pump
As a NICEIC registered electrician I would recommend the pump - a 32Amp or 40Amp Shower allows no diversity of the electrical supply, hence, on a 100amp home supply if you also use an electric cooker and a ceramic hob, then all 3 on together at full would be sucking nearly the maximum current through your home's electric installation at the source.
As to B&Q and Wickes... Great for DIY-ers, but not good for the pocket...
Phone up a few of the manufacturers of pumps and have a chat with the tech guys re how they can meet your needs. Then google a few suppliers and let them know what you need and their competitors prices - simply say if they can beat their competitors prices you'll do business with them!
Double check on prices with B&Q and Wickes for comparrison purposes.
Richard Andrews
I went for the pump in the end, also got a recommendation from the local builder. The first shower is in and is a huge improvement over what was there before. The second shower is going in this week and I'll post the result. He also fitted the pump in a way that it can be easily sound insulated if need be.
So far, the advice given here has been invaluable - thank you.
Sue
Centaur Special Interest Media, Ascent Publishing Ltd, 2 Sugar Brook Court, Aston Road, Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, B60 3EX. Tel: 01527 834435