In the latest of a continuing series, the customer service team at Mira Showers takes us through some of its most recent encountered queries.
I would like to install an electric shower but have very low mains water pressure. What are my options where this is concerned?
As mains fed electric showers typically require a minimum maintained water pressure of 0.5Bar, 0.7Bar or 1.0Bar (in the case of 10.8kW showers) a mains fed electric shower may be unsuitable for your installation. However, there are pumped electric showers available with an integral pump which can be fitted on to a gravity fed cold water storage cistern which would be installed in the loft/attic in the property. This would provide all of the convenience of an electric shower without suffering the adverse effects of low mains pressure.
The installation instructions for most electric showers recommend that you only replace the handset or hose with manufacturer versions. Why is this?
In order for a product to function at its very best, it is always recommended to use manufacturer spares. This is because the flow rates and the performance of the product will have been designed in conjunction with the fittings. This is of particular importance for electric showers as after-market fittings which may restrict the flow from an electric shower could cause the shower to overheat.
Having recently installed an electric shower for a customer, I have needed to replace the product following a fault where the product kept on leaking from the outlet. Now I have installed the replacement, the replacement is doing the same. What might be causing this?
As it is unlikely that both products that you have installed are faulty, it is possible that an external factor could be the cause. Plumbing fittings such as non-return/check valves and pressure reducing valves can sometimes be to blame for the over pressurisation of plumbing systems. This can be caused when these are installed where there is no provision for expansion within the installation. Removing these fittings and taking other measures to satisfy the appropriate water regulations or installing a mini expansion vessel on the installation may resolve this.
When fitting an electric shower in place of an existing product, it isn’t always possible to use the correct water and/or electrical entry points. Is it acceptable to make additional entry points into the casing of the shower to accommodate this?
We would never advocate this practice on the grounds of safety. All electrical showers undergo “IP rating” testing in order to achieve the relevant electrical safety accreditation. Making additional entry points within the shower casing could compromise this. As an alternative, we would recommend the installation of a “multi fit” shower, which allows for multiple options for electrical and water connections.
