Otis Singleton
Water pressure is a crucial aspect of bathroom systems, and it refers to the measure of water pushing through the mains and into the pipes in your home. This pressure is measured in bars, with one bar representing the force needed to push water up to a height of 10 metres. In the context of electric showers, bar pressure is essential for ensuring a strong and steady flow of water. The required bar pressure for your shower will depend on various factors, including the model, kilowatt rating, and the size of your showerhead. For instance, a typical family of four might require a shower pump with around 3 bars of pressure, while a smaller household could manage with 1.5 bars. Understanding the significance of bar pressure is crucial for optimising your shower experience and ensuring adequate water flow.
Characteristics and Values of Bar Pressure in Electric Showers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Bar pressure meaning | The force needed to push water up to a height of 10 metres |
| Bar pressure range | 1 bar is ideal for smaller shower heads, 2 is best for multiple showers, 3 bar pumps are best for power showers and large shower heads |
| Normal water pressure range | 1-1.5 bar but depends on property's water system and location |
| Water pressure test | Run water for 6 seconds, multiply volume of water in litres by 10 to get flow rate in litres per minute |
| Low water pressure | Less than 10 litres per minute |
| Good water pressure | 15 litres and above per minute |
| Water pressure impact factors | Demand in the area, blocked pipes or showerheads, plumbing problems |
| Electric shower water pressure | Minimum running pressure of 0.5-1 bar, depending on the model and kilowatt rating |
| Pumped electric shower | Same as an electric shower but with a built-in pump for boosting very low or fluctuating water pressure |
| Power shower | Designed to operate with low-pressure systems, uses electrically driven pump to release water from hot and cold supply |
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What You'll Learn
Water pressure and flow rate
Water pressure is a fundamental component of your bathroom systems, and it is important to understand how it works. Water pressure is the measure of water pushing through the mains and into your household pipes. It is measured in bars, with one bar being equal to the force required to push water up to a height of 10m. Normal water pressure in your home should range between 30 and 80 PSI.
The water pressure in your shower will depend on the type of water system you have. If you have a combi boiler system, you have a high-pressure water system. Combi boilers are usually wall-mounted and located in the kitchen. They are fed directly by mains-pressure cold water, which is then quickly heated and pumped around the house. If your property has a hot water tank but no cold tank, you have an unvented water system that will also provide high-pressure water.
On the other hand, if you have a low-pressure water system, you can still have a wide choice of showers, including mixer, digital, electric, and power showers, as long as the required pressure is achieved. Most modern electric showers are designed to work with a cold mains system with low pressure, although there are exceptions. If you have a cold mains plumbing system with very low or fluctuating pressure, you may want to consider a pumped electric shower, which has a built-in pump for boosting water pressure.
The bar pressure you need for your shower pump will depend on your home's pressure requirements. A higher pressure rating means the pump can deliver water with more force, resulting in a stronger flow from the showerhead. For example, if you live in a small flat or house with one partner, a shower pump with 1.0 to 1.5 bar pressure is generally recommended. A young, small family in a smaller house will typically need around 2.0 bar of pressure. For a big family home, a shower pump of around 3.0 bars of pressure is suggested, and if there are multiple showers in use at one time, a pump with at least 3.0 bars of pressure is recommended.
It is important to note that the size of your showerhead also matters. If you have a large showerhead, you will need a more powerful pump to deliver a higher flow rate of water at a higher pressure.
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Electric showers and low pressure
Water pressure is a crucial aspect of bathroom systems, and it refers to the measure of water pushing through the mains and into your household pipes. It is measured in bars, where one bar is equal to the force required to push water up to a height of 10 metres. The normal water pressure in a home should be between 30 and 80 PSI, and anything exceeding 80 PSI is considered too high and can cause issues like leaking pipes and mould growth.
Low-pressure water systems offer a range of shower options, including mixer, digital, electric, and power showers. Electric showers are a good choice if you have low water pressure in your home. They are easy to install and heat water as needed, preventing waste and saving time and money. Pumped electric showers, for instance, the T80si, are designed for installations with low, unreliable, or non-existent mains water pressure.
The minimum water pressure required for an electric shower depends on the model and its kilowatt rating. Some units can operate at a reduced flow performance with a minimum running pressure/flow of 0.5 bar at 8 litres per minute. However, for optimal performance, higher pressure and flow rates are necessary. For instance, 7kW to 8.5kW showers require a minimum running pressure of 1 bar at a minimum flow rate of 8 litres per minute, while 10.5 kW showers require a minimum running water pressure of 1.5 bar at a minimum flow rate of 11 litres per minute.
If you want a more powerful shower experience and are dealing with low water pressure, you can consider fitting a water pump or a power shower. A water pump can be attached to your existing system to boost the flow rate. A power shower, on the other hand, has an electrically driven pump that draws water from both your hot and cold supplies, resulting in up to three times the flow rate. While installation costs for power showers can be higher, they are an effective solution for low-pressure systems.
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Pumped electric showers
A pumped electric shower is a good option for those with low-pressure water systems. It is designed to boost the flow rate, making for a more enjoyable showering experience. The pump is fitted to the water system and is activated when the shower is turned on, with water travelling through the pump before coming out of the showerhead.
The Mira Elite SE 10.8kW pumped electric shower, for example, is designed for silent showering and takes cold water on a low-pressure water supply. The integrated pump provides a strong and consistent flow, delivering a revitalising boost even at the lowest of pressures. It is also easy to clean and maintain, with its Mira Clean-flo™ filter designed to be easily accessible for self-cleaning.
Another option is to fit a water pump or pressurised cylinder to your existing system. This can boost the flow, but it is important to consult a plumber first as this may not work for all showers. A power shower, for example, has an electrically-driven pump that releases water from both your hot and cold supplies. It is designed to operate with low-pressure systems and can provide up to three times the flow. However, installation costs are often higher than the more cost-effective shower pump options.
If you have a high-pressure water system, you may not need to install a pump as the water pressure will already be strong enough. Mixer, electric, or digital showers work well with high-pressure systems without the need for additional pumps.
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High-pressure water systems
Water pressure is a vital component of your bathroom systems. It is the measure of water pushing through the mains and into your household pipes. Water pressure is measured in bars, with one bar equal to the force required to push water up to a height of 10m. Normal water pressure in your home should range between 30 and 80 PSI.
If you have a high-pressure system, you will be able to consider larger shower heads or rain heads, body jets, and running two or more appliances at the same time. High-pressure water systems work well with mixer, electric, or digital showers without the need to install a pump. This is because the water pressure is already strong enough.
The minimum water pressure required for an electric shower depends upon the model and its kilowatt rating. Some units will continue to operate at a reduced flow performance on a minimum running pressure/flow of 0.5 bar at 8 litres per minute. However, for full flow performance from all electric showers, a higher pressure is required. For example, 7kW to 8.5kW showers require a minimum running pressure of 1 bar at a minimum flow rate of 8 litres per minute.
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Choosing a shower pump
Water pressure is a vital component of your bathroom systems. It is the measure of water pushing through the mains and into your household pipes. It is measured in bars, with one bar equal to the force required to push water up to a height of 10m. Normal water pressure in your home should range between 30 and 80 PSI.
If you want a stronger flow of water and higher pressure for your shower, you can fit a water pump to your existing system. The bar on a shower pump refers to the pressure rating of the pump, indicating the amount of pressure it can generate to push water through the shower system. When purchasing a shower pump, you will often see specifications such as "1.5 bar" or "2.0 bar", indicating the pressure output of the pump. Higher pressure ratings typically mean the pump can deliver water with more force, resulting in a stronger flow from the showerhead.
The shower pump you need will depend on the pressure requirements of your home. If you live in a small flat, apartment, or house with a partner, you will generally need a shower pump with 1.0 to 1.5 bar pressure. A small family in a smaller house will typically require 2.0 bar pressure, while an average family of four in a standard semi-detached house will need around 3.0 bar pressure. If you have multiple showers and taps in use simultaneously, a pump with over 3.6 bars of pressure is recommended.
Additionally, consider the size of your showerhead. Larger showerheads will require a more powerful pump to deliver a higher flow rate at higher pressure. Also, ensure that the pressure rating of the pump is suitable for your specific shower system to avoid issues such as water leakage or damage to fixtures. Before investing in a pump, consult a plumber to ensure it is compatible with your existing shower system.
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Frequently asked questions
Bar pressure is the force needed to push water up by 10 metres. It is used to measure the water pressure in your household pipes.
The bar pressure you need depends on the pressure requirements of your home. Normal water pressure is around 1-1.5 bar, but it can depend on your property's water system and your location.
Water pressure below 10 litres per minute is considered low.
You can fit a water pump or pressurised cylinder to your existing system to boost the flow. Alternatively, you can invest in a power shower, which is designed to operate with low-pressure water systems.
