Power showers: Everything you need to know

If you're a shower person, then you'll know the importance of finding one which is just right for you, depending on whether you enjoy an invigorating shower in the morning, or prefer to use it for winding down at night. Other factors, like energy efficiency and system compatibility, are also key things to consider, however, when choosing the right shower for your home.

There are many different shower styles available, so in this blog, we'll be looking at one which is popular in many households - the power shower.

Whether you're considering installing a new shower or are looking for the perfect fit for a bathroom renovation project, read to the end of the blog to find out all you need to know about the mighty power shower ...

There are various things to consider when choosing the perfect shower for your home.

What are power showers?

Simply put, a power shower is one which produces a higher volume of water at a stronger pressure than standard showers. So, if you want an invigorating showering experience, then this could be for you.

Using an integrated pump to boost waterflow and pressure, power showers need an electric supply for this to work, but they're not the same as electric showers, which is a common misconception. As well as the pump, power showers also use a mixer valve to control water temperature, blending the hot and cold water internally before delivering the perfect ambient waterflow.

Main advantages of power showers:

• Higher water pressure: Power showers are specially designed to provide amore invigorating experience, so are ideal for those early-morning energising showers.
• Consistent waterflow Thanks to the internal pump, powers showers will maintain a steady waterflow even if there's low pressure, so they're a reliable choice, especially in busy households. This means the waterflow won't be affected, even if someone flushes the toilet or is using water elsewhere in the house.

Power showers vs electric showers

Electric showers like the Triton Aspirante Electric Shower pictured above, differ from power showers in various ways.

As already mentioned, a power shower is not the same as an electric shower,although the pump requires an electric source to operate.

Water heating: Power showers mix hot and cold water from the existing hot and cold-water supplies in your home, with a built-in pump boosting water pressure to deliver the invigorating power shower experience. Electric showers, however, have an internal heating element which heats the water on-demand as it flows through the unit, so they don't need a separate hot water supply.

Water pressure: Power showers are specifically designed to increase water pressure, so they're perfect for homes which have low-pressure systems. In electric showers, however, the water pressure depends on the mains water supply and although some models can come with built-in pumps, most electric showers need properties to have good water pressure in order to work.

Installation: With power showers, installation can be more complex and will require professional plumbing assistance, as they need to connect to both a hot and cold-water supply, with the pump also to be fitted. Electric showers are usually easier to install, as they only need a cold-water supply and an electrical connection, so in theory, you could attempt this yourself, if necessary. However, when electricity is involved, it is always recommended that you hire a professional to do the work.

Energy-efficiency: Since they rely on a hot-water supply from a boiler or immersion heater, the energy-efficiency of power showers is tied to the efficiency of your central heating system. Electric showers are generally considered to be more energy-efficient because they only heat the water that's being used, avoiding the need to store and maintain a tank of hot water.

Cost: The cost of power showers can be higher upfront and installation costs may also be greater, especially if professional assistance is required, whereas electric showers are more economical in terms of both the unit and installation costs.

Things to consider before installing a power shower

If you think a power shower might be for you, then there are a few things you'll need to check first, before buying – the two main ones being your home water system and the amount of space you have.

Designed for use with gravity-fed water systems, power showers may not be compatible with combi boilers or high-pressure systems, so if you have these in your property, then you'll need to double-check what type of shower you can install. Meanwhile, with the pump a key component of the power shower, you'll also need to consider if you have sufficient space for installing the pump unit – either in your bathroom or nearby.

You should also bear in mind that power showers will use more water, due to their higher flow rate, so if you'd prefer a more eco-friendly option, then this one might not be for you. An electric-powered shower will also consume more electricity so, again, this needs to be considered in terms of energy usage and bills.

Power showers can also be more expensive to purchase and to install, so if you're on a budget, then make sure you take this into account as well.

Power showers deliver increased water pressure for a more invigorating experience.

Installing and maintaining your power shower

We always advise hiring a professional to install bathroom-ware, so if you're opting for a power shower, then a plumber is best suited to the job to ensure that everything is properly fitted and operational. Once the shower is installed, it's then important to carry out regular checks on the pump, mixer valve and the rest of the shower, to ensure that everything is working as it should.

Cleaning the showerhead and keeping your shower in good condition will also help to prevent clogs and maintain good waterflow.

Power showers at bathshack

At Bathshack, we supply a range of high-quality power showers from leading manufacturers, so if you're keen to install one in your home then we're sure to have what you need.

For example, the Triton Novel SR Silent Running Thermostatic Power Shower comes with five spray patterns and is also Quiet Mark-approved, so you can enjoy your shower in peace. Suitable for low-pressure gravity-fed systems, it features thermostatic control for a consistent water temperature and delivers a flow rate of up to 14 litres per minute.

The Triton Novel SR Silent Running Thermostatic Power Shower.

Featuring a rainfall showerhead the Mira Event XS Dual Thermostatic Power Shower has a classic chrome finish along with separate flow and temperature controls, including a start/stop button so you can set the water temperature to your desired warmth.

Giving you greater control, waterflow and ideal for low-pressure systems, this is another good choice if you'reseeking a power shower for your home.

Whether you're already a power shower fan and need a new one, or you're keen to upgrade your existing shower to something more invigorating, at Bathshack, we can help you find the perfect shower for your needs.

Check out our full range of power showers in-store, or online at bathshack.com. Alternatively, if you have any queries, just email our team at info@bathshack.com, call us on (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat.

The Mira Event XS Dual Thermostatic Power Shower.

Check out our full range of power showers in-store, or online at bathshack.com. Alternatively, if you have any queries, just email our team at info@bathshack.com or you can call us on (028) 9077 0188 or use our online chat.