Electric showers work in such a way that they take water from the main source of cold water supply by letting it pass through a heating element inside the shower that causes it to heat. It works in the same principle as heating water in a kettle, but at a much faster and almost instant rate. They are oftentimes used by families and households with limited supply of hot water. They are very convenient, handy and always ready to use whenever needed, 24 hours a day, day and night.

Where Are They Used?

Electric showers are also typical in other countries (like Asia and Europe) other than the United States. They work well in homes that have no main supply of water or those with low water pressure, and those homes with built-in shower pump used to increase the water pressure as it is heated at the same time. Because of this, less electricity is used as compared to that of a water heater, which is therefore very advantageous in places where electric service is not always available.  But for those countries that usually experience the cold weather, electric showers become additional source of heat too.

Mira Electric Shower

Known brands that manufacture electric showers include Mira Electric Showers, Triton and Gainsborough electric shower. Mira is from the family of Kohler and is considered to be one of the top brands in terms of durability and brand recognition. Triton electric showers and Gainsborough are also some of the familiar brands that manufacture electric showers. They are most popular in the United Kingdom (UK). Depending on your budget, you can choose over these shower brands on what you find as the best fit for your bathroom design.

The design that you should choose should match with your bathroom interior and the overall mood of your bathroom. The two most common colors are either dirty white or chrome black. If you have a modern bathroom design, It’s better to get the chrome look as they have the most contemporary design. Of course, your electric shower should match with your walk in shower enclosure or wet room if you don’t have a bathroom.

How are They Used?

When electric showers are used inside your walk in shower, the electric circuits are first turned on, followed by the water supply. Temperature is adjusted depending on the liking of the user. The shower knob is turned to the left to make the water hotter, and to the right to make the water cooler. Because the wiring connected to the shower head is well insulated with conduit caps, and have their own circuit breakers and fuses, they are generally safe to use. These circuit breakers and fuses must be turned off when the shower is not turned on to prevent damage.

How to Ensure Safety?

The power used in electric power showers is rated in kilo watts, while the size of the shower in KW determines the size of the cable that will be required for the installation. Correct cable size and mechanical circuit breaker must be used to ensure safety and for the electric showers to work properly.

It is therefore wise to have a qualified electrician check the kilo wattage of the shower that a water supply cable will handle. For new electric shower installations, a 10mm² cable is always recommended because the performance of electric showers also depends on the cable size and not just on the main water supply.