What is the best type of shower to install and use with a modern combi boiler? Here we explain.
Looking for the right shower to go with a combi boiler?
Whether you have a combi boiler installed already and want to know which is the best shower to have added or you want to think ahead for a future combi boiler installation, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s get right to it!
What is the Best Type of Shower for a Combi Boiler?
There are several types of showers that are well-suited to a combi boiler. But what is the best out of these options?
Arguably, a thermostatic mixer shower is the best type of shower to match with a combi boiler, particularly if you have a busy household.
This is because a thermostatic mixer shower can maintain consistent showering temperatures even if other people are using hot water on your property at the same time.
This way, the temperature won’t suddenly change, making for a dramatic uncomfortable (or even painful) experience.
For the above reason, a thermostatic mixer shower is probably the best option to go with a combi boiler. However, there are several other options you may want to consider.
What Other Showers Go Well With A Combi Boiler?
A thermostatic mixer shower is probably the best-suited shower type to go with a combi boiler. However, there are a few other choices worth considering.
Electric Showers
Another type of shower that matches well with a combi boiler is that of an electric shower.
One key advantage of electric showers is that even when a boiler breaks down, they can still heat water independently of the boiler.
Since an electric shower only requires mains water supply pressure, thus if you want to add a shower pump, a combi boiler would be necessary.
With that said, when it comes to showering on a daily basis, a thermostatic mixer shower or digital shower would be best for a combi boiler.
Digital Showers
As touched on, a digital shower is more suited for a combi boiler than an electric shower.
But what is a digital shower?
A modern digital shower is made specifically to work with high-pressure systems like combi boilers.
Digital showers are somewhat similar to thermostatic mixer showers.
This is because they too respond to temperature and pressure variations in real-time should another person in your home also attempt to use hot water while you’re showering.
Moreover, digital showers allow users to set presets to enjoy the ideal showering temperature each time. Lastly, digital showers are aesthetically pleasing and up-to-date.
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But What About Power Showers?
Unfortunately, power showers aren’t a good match for combi boilers. This is because they are meant to be used with low-pressure water supplies.
As a result, they are not a suitable match for combi boilers.
With that said, with three standout options (as discussed in the previous two sections), you have plenty to choose from.
That isn’t simply in terms of the type of shower you opt for but the actual shower model you go with.
Finding the Right Shower Model for You
Whether you opt for a thermostatic mixer shower, digital shower or even an electric shower, there are many shower units available on the market.
We suggest narrowing things down based on your budget, preferences and priorities.
Either way, when trying to decide which shower is best for you, be sure that it is well-suited to your home and specific combi boiler. If in doubt, consult a professional.
What Makes a Combi Boiler Unique?
You may already have a combi boiler and thus want to know what type of shower would be ideal for your current boiler.
However, if you’ve yet to have a combi boiler installed you may want to know more about what it is exactly.
A combi boiler or combination boiler contains both a central heating boiler and a water heater in one compact unit.
This contrasts a system boiler which has a separate water storage cylinder. Therefore, combi boilers are excellent if you want a boiler that saves space.
Other advantages of combi boilers include:
High-pressure water supply with a substantial flow
Modern and energy-efficient appliances
Cost-effective solution to heating your home
Likely to reduce your heating bills
You don’t need to worry about running out of hot water
Compact boilers are great for relatively small households
Generally, less expensive to install than a system boiler
But, what about the downsides? Here are the disadvantages:
Not as suitable as a system boiler if you have a high-water demand
Fairly complex installation process
Relatively slow water rate
Should your boiler break down, you’ll be left without heating and hot water (unless you opt for an electric shower, of course)
All in all, combi boilers have a range of pros and cons. But in our view, they are the most sensible choice for the average household if you’re keen on sticking to a natural gas boiler.
On average, it would cost somewhere in the region of £800 to £2,800 to have a combi boiler installed. Of course, if you’re planning to have one installed, one concern you may have is the cost.
For that reason, you’ll be glad to know that it’s possible to purchase a boiler on finance. In other words, you can buy now and pay later.
In most cases, interest will apply (usually around 10%), however, zero-interest options also exist.
Moreover, it’s generally possible to make the repayments over a 12- or 24-month timeframe and sometimes you can even make repayments over 5-10 years!
Either way, you should only take on debt, if you are sure, you can comfortably repay the cost over time.
If you have doubts, another payment option that might interest you is that of a boiler subscription.
This essentially involves renting a boiler for a monthly fee. However, for this fee you’d get more than just a boiler.
Your subscription may also come with an annual boiler service, no call-out fees, or/and a fix or replace guarantee among other benefits.
