Guest Blogger: Running Out of Hot Water? An Electric Shower May be the Answer

Guest Blog #82, Entry #533, May 24, 2011

If you are tired of your shower losing hot water too often, before you get to it, today’s Guest Blogger may be able to help! See how electric showers or mixing showers can help your home.

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If you live in a crowded home, it’s easy to run out of hot water in a hurry if several people are taking showers in turn.The advantage of mixer showers is that they limit the amount of hot water running through your pipes, allowing you to set the temperature to conserve hot water. Electric showers will have their own heating source which will allow you to run cold water through the unit which heats as you go, eliminating the need for hot water from your home’s water heater altogether. If you are in the market for a shower of this kind, there are ten things you need to know.

Is a mixing shower right for your home?

1. Shop Comparatively

Comparison shopping allows you to weigh the pros and cons of the best brands side by side, including pricing, warranty information, and more. You can do this online or in your local store. Knowledgeable staff at your nearest DIY store should be able to help you make an informed choice; however, the best way to learn about a product before you buy is to read user reviews and to consult the manufacturer’s website.

2. Hire a Professional Installer

Unless you know a lot about plumbing, a lot of things can go wrong when trying to install a new piece of plumbing by yourself, as it will involve connecting several different pieces of your existing plumbing hardware in order to make it work properly and to avoid leaks.

3. Fill Out the Warranty Card

If your electric shower comes with a warranty, as most of the units from major manufacturers do, it is worth the trouble and investment to protect your purchase in case of a defect, or if it wears out before the expiration of the warranty. Make sure you know the terms of the warranty, so that you can get a proper refund or replacement.

Consider all the factors before deciding on your shower

4. Read What Others Are Saying

Reviews and user feedback are the most reliable sources of information that can help you to make an informed decision about what brand to buy from, so it’s important to read what others have said.

5. Ask For a Demonstration

Many appliance showrooms will have demonstrations set up in order to allow you to see first-hand how the unit operates before you buy. Those on the sales floor should also answer any technical or general questions you may have.

6. Check For Compatibility

f you haven’t looked at the hardware behind your shower or bathtub in a number of years, now is the time to do it. You should ensure that the plumbing fixtures you have will not present any problems when installing your mixer shower or electric shower.

7. Be Energy Efficient

Many appliances today are Energy Star rated for co2 emissions and other outputs. Not only will these kinds of products save you money, but they will be better for the environment.

Clean your electric shower regularly

8. Clean it Regularly

One of the best ways you can protect your investment and make sure your new electric shower will last for years to come is to take a wet sponge and a mild solvent to it every other week or so.

9. Get the Best Price

Different stores, particularly online, will have a difference in the final sale price, and you should take advantage of stores offering discounts, to get the best price.

10. Purchase a name brand

Whenever new and innovative products hit the market, cheap imitations are bound to crop up, but these are not worth your money and should be avoided. They will wear out faster and may not be covered under warranty.

Screwfix is the UK’s largest direct and online supplier of trade tools, accessories and hardware products. With over 30 years’ experience in the industry, we dispatch tens of thousands of parcels every week for next day and weekend delivery to tradesmen, handymen and serious DIY enthusiasts all over the UK.

To view our range of mixer showers from Screwfix customers can visit the Screwfix website.

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