Thermostatic Vs Electric Showers
If you’re renovating your bathroom, you might be wondering which shower system you should choose, thermostatic or electric.
While both systems have their pros and cons, it pays to understand the key differences between the two, so you can make the most informed decision for your bathroom.
But if you don't even know where to start, we can help.
In our guide below, we’re going to do a shower showdown. We’ll look at the key benefits and differences between these two types of showers, so you can choose the system that’s right for you.
Let’s get started.
What is a thermostatic shower?
Let’s begin by looking at thermostatic showers and how these work.
This type of shower is temperature controlled, which means that it can maintain the water temperature even if the pressure fluctuates. It can do this because the shower mixes hot and cold water together before it flows through the shower head, keeping it at a constant and consistent temperature.
This also means it is unaffected when someone uses water elsewhere in the house, such as a tap, dishwasher or washing machine.
What are the key advantages of a thermostatic shower?
One of the key advantages of a thermostatic shower is that it can be far safer to use than an electric one. For one thing, these showers have advanced safety features like built-in thermostatic controls. But on top of this, they are temperature controlled which means the temperature won’t fluctuate, quickly getting hotter or colder.
This can be very important if you have young or elderly family members living with you as you can ensure they won’t end up hurting themselves or making themselves unwell if the water is too hot or cold.
Another advantage is that you can maintain a consistent water temperature even if someone else is using water in the building. This also makes for a more enjoyable and relaxing showering experience.
Not only this, but they can be far more energy efficient as they don’t require as much electricity to heat the water and keep a constant stream of warm water flowing. This means you can save money on your heating and water bills in the future.
Plus, as there are no exposed heating elements these showers don’t break as easily and can therefore have a much longer lifespan than electric alternatives.
What are the issues with thermostatic showers?
As with everything in life, these showers are not without their downsides and one of the biggest issues is that they tend to have a higher initial cost, as they are more expensive to buy and install.
Another problem is that the heating system can take up valuable space in your house. Although most providers will try to make these units as minimal as possible to avoid this. As you explore the benefits of thermostatic showers for your bathroom renovation, finding a reliable guide can be invaluable. This best thermostatic showers guide offers comprehensive insights, helping you choose a system that ensures safety, efficiency, and comfort.
What is an electric shower?
An electric shower is a system that heats the water up as it passes through the unit and flows out of the shower head. This is made possible by a heated element that warms the water and brings it up to the right temperature in the actual shower unit.
As a result of this, these units are able to deliver instant hot water to the user.
What are the key advantages of an electric shower?
Because the water is heated as it passes through the element, this means that you don’t have to wait for the water to heat up before you can get in the shower.
This can be a real time saver in the mornings or if you’re in a hurry. Plus, it means you don't have to leave the shower running for a few minutes before it is warm enough to get in, saving on electricity and water.
And that is not the only advantage of an electric shower. These units can also be much more affordable to buy, which is good news if you're trying to refurbish your bathroom on a budget.
What are the issues with an electric shower?
Although they might be cheaper to buy initially, these showers can be more expensive to run in the long term. This is because they have to heat the water as it passes through, which uses up more energy and could lead to an increase in your bills. Plus, they tend to break easier and have a shorter life span than thermostatic showers.
Another issue is that they can’t be used without a mains water supply, and they are a less safe option. This is because the water can get very hot, very quickly. This leads to an increased risk of injury or scalding, which is not ideal if the shower is being used by young children or elderly people.
Thermostatic Vs electric showers: Which should you choose?
That’s a lot of details to take in and it’s easy to see that both types of shower have their pros and cons. So, in order to help you make the most informed decision for your bathroom, we thought we’d do a quick summary of both thermostatic and electric showers, so you can weigh the details up and choose the best option for your home.
You should choose an electric shower if:
• You’re often in a rush or you want to cut back on your water usage, so you want access to instantly hot water
• You’re sticking to a budget and you want an affordable shower for your bathroom
• You live in a smaller space and you don’t have room for the separate unit you would need if you chose a thermostatic shower
You should choose a thermostatic shower if:
• You are very safety conscious or you're worried about young or elderly family members who may be using the shower
• You want a more energy-efficient option
• You’re prepared to pay extra for the initial set-up because you want to cut down on your energy bills in the long run
• You don't have a mains water supply
• You want something that’s going to last longer
Hopefully, this summary helps you to decide which shower is best for you. But if you’re still feeling stuck, you can go into a bathroom showroom or speak to the experts for more advice.
