Knowing how the water in your house is heated is essential when it comes to choosing which type of shower to install as some showers simply will not work with specific types of heating systems. Choosing between the two main types of showers – mixer showers and electric showers – is something you must do only once you understand how the heating system in your house works.
The main function of mixer showers is they take water from both hot and cold water supplies and combine them to create the optimum temperature. The water is mixed in a specific valve before the water is delivered through the shower head. Mixer showers can be installed on an existing surface or they can be flush mounted and any pipework can be hidden behind the wall.
The Pros
There are many benefits to installing a mixer shower. The main one is that mixer showers generally deliver a faster flow of water which leads to a more satisfactory shower. However, if the rate of delivery from your taps is poor, this will be reflected in the provision of water from the shower head as a mixer shower cannot boost the rate of flow to the shower head.
Mixer showers are ideal for use within homes that have hot water available readily; for example homes that have a combi boiler installed, or a hot water cylinder with a large capacity. The other main benefit of mixer showers is that they are very easily to install. Generally, mixer showers work best when used with a high pressure water system.
The Cons
The main problem with mixer showers is that when they are installed, they will be connected up to other supplies of water throughout the house. This means that when other supplies are used (taps, dishwashers, the toilet etc.), the delivery of the water through the shower can be affected. For example, if the cold tap is used elsewhere, the water from the shower head could scald. However, this problem is avoidable if separate pipes are installed for the shower, therefore creating an independent route for the water to travel to the shower.
Author Bio
Whilst not the best option for all types of home heating systems, when installed appropriately mixer showers can be the perfect addition to the home.