Mixer Showers
Introduction
Mixer showers work by mixing the hot and cold water supply together to the desired temperature. They are usually quite easy to install, and unlike electric showers, they require no electrical connections.
On top of all this, if a more powerful shower is what you are after, they generally have a higher flow rate too. However the overwhelming plus point is that with a near limitless choice of models to choose from there is a mixer shower to suit all tastes and bathroom styles.
Hot water supply considerations
Once you have decided not to have an electric shower, the big question now is actually more about what type of hot water system you have than which type of mixer shower you wish. The pressure at which the hot water will reach the shower mixer will very much determine which type of mixer is most appropriate.
Power showers
These look like electric showers except that the box contains a pump to increase the flow and provide a more invigorating experience, rather than a heating element. The temperature of the water through the shower head is controlled manually by adjusting the dial on the front of the unit.
Power showers are an ideal money saving alternative to standard mixer shower units and a water pump.
- Note: A power shower is not the same as a pumped mixer shower.
Manual bath/shower mixer
If the decision has been taken to locate the shower in the bath, these combination mixers are an ideal solution to minimising the amount of plumbing required around the bath.
When the tap is first opened the flow of water is directed into the bath, however by pulling a lever on the top of the mixer, the flow of water can instead be directed upwards to the shower head.
As the name suggests the temperature of the water is controlled manually by adjusting the flow between the hot and cold sources, this does mean that fluctuations in water pressure will necessitate the adjusting of the temperature, potentially mid shower.
Thermostatic valve mixers
Essentially one step up from a manual mixer, this is where a valve thermostatically controls the temperature of the water. Working to a similar principle to the manual mixer, the water temperature of a thermostatic mixer is pre-set to a desired setting by adjusting the appropriate lever, the mixer then adjusts the flow of hot and cold water to ensure the temperature remains constant.
Digital mixer units
Digital showers use a touch sensitive control panel to allow the user to select the desired temperature and flow rate. Some versions even include a memory function allowing each member of the family to select their own ideal shower, and experience it every time.
At the heart of the unit is a computer processor, which replaces the traditional valve and pump usually installed on or behind the bathroom wall. If necessary a pump can be installed in the airing cupboard or even the loft space, with the ncessary connections between it and the processor unit.
The processor can be positioned just about anywhere - hidden under the bath, in the loft or perhaps in the airing cupboard - it is simply connected to the controller in the bathroom by a low voltage data cable.
The processor blends the water to your selected temperature and delivers it safely to the shower head.
It may sound gimmicky, being able to turn the shower on without even being in the bathroom, however these showers do have real advantages. They are very easy to use which is ideal for disabled or elderly people, plus if the shower can be operated externally to the bathroom one can easily operate the shower on behalf of someone else.
Multi directional showers
Usually controlled using an advanced thermostatic mixer, multi-directional showers contain numerous shower heads/jets to promote the massage effect of the flowing water.
As these showers direct water in almost all directions, their use is limited to bathrooms large enough to allow the purpose built shower enclosures required. They are thus are not suitable for placement in/over a bath.
Further information and useful links
- Types of shower
- Shower heads
- Shower location within a bathroom
- Introduction to showers
- More bathroom topics
- Find a Bathroom Showroom near to you
- Find a Bathroom Fitter near you
- Find a Bathroom Fixtures & Fittings supplier near you
- Find a Bathroom Taps & Shower supplier near you
- Find a Plumber near you
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