Otis Singleton
If you're tired of your old electric shower and want to upgrade to a thermostatic mixer shower, you're not alone. Many people have considered making the switch, but is it a simple DIY job or a costly and complex undertaking? Well, it depends on a few factors. Firstly, you'll need to consider your water pressure. Electric showers have a pump that boosts pressure, so if you opt for a mixer, ensure your water pressure is adequate. Next, you'll need to check your boiler. Electric showers only need a cold feed, but mixers require both hot and cold feeds, so you'll need to run a hot pipe to the shower area. If you have a combi boiler, this can be a straightforward process, but for other systems, it may require more work and materials.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Installation | Installation of a thermostatic mixer shower is a medium-sized job. It requires chasing out and plastering the wall, then tiling or covering with a mermaid board. |
| Cost | Installation of a mixer shower is more costly than replacing an electric shower. A mixer valve costs approximately £100. |
| Water pressure | A mixer shower requires adequate water pressure. If the water pressure is low, an electric shower may be the only option. |
| Hot and cold feed | A mixer shower requires both a hot and cold feed. An electric shower only requires a cold feed. |
| Power | An electric shower is typically 10kW, while a Combi shower is over 20kW. |
| Backup | An electric shower can serve as a backup if the boiler breaks down. |
| Flow | A larger pipe will give better flow. |
| Brands | Grohe, Hansgrohe, Bristan, Mira, and Aqualisa are recommended brands for mixer showers. |
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What You'll Learn
Installation costs
The installation cost of a mixer shower varies depending on several factors. The average time to install a mixer shower is around three to six hours. If plumbing for the hot and cold water supply is already in place, it could take as little as three hours.
The cost of the mixer valve itself is approximately £100, then it just needs to be connected to a hot and cold pipe, which is half a day's work. However, if you are installing a concealed digital shower unit, it will take longer to install as an enclosure must be created behind the shower wall.
The overall cost of the supply and installation of a new shower is typically between £300 and £1,500, depending on factors such as labour costs, the type of shower, and whether you need to hire both a plumber and an electrician.
If you are replacing an electric shower with a mixer shower, there will be additional pipework to install the cold and hot water supply. The location of the hot water pipe and the hot water pressure will also impact the cost.
If you are replacing a like-for-like electric shower, the cost will be lower as the same cables can be used, costing between £70 and £150. However, if you are installing a mixer shower, you will need to factor in the cost of removing any existing tiles and retiling, as the walls will need to be disturbed.
It is important to consider all these factors when budgeting for the installation of a mixer shower to replace an electric shower.
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Water pressure
When replacing an electric shower with a mixer, it is important to consider the water pressure. Electric showers have a pump that provides pressure, and when switching to a mixer shower, you will need to ensure that your water pressure is high enough to deliver a sufficient flow of water.
If you have a combi boiler, you are unlikely to experience issues with low pressure. However, if you have an unpressurised tank with a loft tank, there may be problems with achieving adequate pressure. In such cases, you might need to install a water pump to increase the pressure.
It is also important to check that the hot and cold water pressures are balanced. If the cold water pressure is significantly higher, it can overpower the hot water, resulting in lukewarm or cold showers.
To determine whether your water pressure is suitable for a mixer shower, you can check the pressure on your hot and cold water supplies. This will give you an idea of the pressure you can expect from the shower.
Additionally, consider the pipe size when switching to a mixer shower. Increasing the pipe size can help ensure a decent flow of water to the shower.
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Hot and cold feed
A standard mixer shower requires a hot and cold feed. If you have a combi boiler, the hot water pressure will be similar to the mains. The cold feed can be connected to the mains, while the hot feed is connected to the boiler.
If you do not have a combi boiler, you will need to connect the cold feed to a cold water storage tank, usually in the loft, and the hot feed to your hot water cylinder.
If you have a power shower with a pump, it is generally recommended that it be connected to a tank, rather than pumping the mains supply directly. The shower instructions should specify the type of supply it requires.
If you have a good flow rate and pressure, a mixer shower can be a good option. However, if your water pressure is low, you may have no alternative but to install an electric shower.
If you are installing a new shower, it is important to check the pressure and flow rate to ensure that it is adequate for the shower type.
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Pipework
Before starting any pipework, it is important to ensure that the electrical wiring has been removed and isolated to prevent accidental re-energisation. The water supply to the electric shower should also be capped off at the point where the pipe splits from the rest of the supply to avoid dead legs of pipework, which can cause legionella growth and water stagnation.
If you have a combi boiler, you are unlikely to experience issues with low pressure. You will need to run hot and cold pipes from the basin to the wall where you want the shower. This may involve removing tiles or cutting into the wall to create a channel for the pipes. If you are using a wall-mounted mixer, the pipework will need to be installed behind the wall.
If you have access to a hot and cold feed above the ceiling, you can install a standard thermostatic bar mixer with top-entry elbows without modifying the bath or existing pipework. Alternatively, you can use a thermostatic bath filler with a shower handset diverter valve, but you will need to ensure that your existing tap holes are at standard centres.
If you do not have a combi boiler, you may need to run pipes from the hot water cylinder and cold water storage tank, which are usually located in the loft, to the shower. This will require additional work and materials.
It is important to check the pressure of your hot and cold water supplies before installing a mixer shower to ensure that you will have sufficient pressure for the shower to function properly. In some cases, a pump may be required to boost water pressure.
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Brands
When it comes to brands for bath/shower mixers, Grohe and Hansgrohe are mentioned by a user as their "go-to" brands. However, they note that these brands are not as widely available as standard shower mixers. Other quality brands mentioned include Bristan, Mira, and Aqualisa.
If you are looking for a thermostatic mixer, one user recommends purchasing a mixer valve for approximately £100 and then connecting it to the hot and cold pipes under the bath.
It is important to consider your water pressure when choosing a shower type. Electric showers have a pump for pressure, so if you have good pressure in your taps, a bath/shower mixer may be a suitable option. However, if you have low water pressure, an electric shower may be the best choice.
Additionally, if you are tiling your walls, keep in mind that the installation process for a mixer shower may disturb the tiles, requiring additional work and materials.
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Frequently asked questions
It depends on your existing plumbing system. If you have a combi boiler, it's a straightforward job. If not, you'll need a cold feed from your storage tank and a separate hot feed from your hot water cylinder, which requires more work and materials.
Grohe, Hansgrohe, Bristan, Mira, and Aqualisa are all quality brands for mixer showers.
Mixer showers are more powerful than electric showers and are also cheaper to run. They also have better water pressure than electric showers, which often have low flow rates.
