Bathrooms
SCRUB UP IN STYLE There are plenty of factors to consider when choosing an electric shower. Dan Louder, Product Manager at Aqualisa, gives installers a reminder of the important features their customers should look out for when helping them with their decision. Electric showers are an excellent solution for households where hot water created by the boiler is in short supply, or for extensions, loft conversations or other places that the plumbing system may struggle to reach. This is because electric showers heat cold water by sending an electric current through a heating element in a sealed unit. Completely separate from a hotwater system, electric showers are always ready to use even if the hot water is switched off. However, while some electric showers provide fast-flowing water, others are not so successful. This could be due to a variety of reasons – for some, turning on another tap in the home could cause the pressure to decrease, providing little more than a trickle.
for example, can heat up larger volumes of water than an 8.5kW electric shower. However, it should be noted that the higher kilowatt the shower, the more energy it uses, so energy bills could increase. PHASED SHUTDOWN Certain areas of the UK are more prone to limescale build up due to being hard water areas. When hard water evaporates, the minerals left behind solidify and leave a deposit of calcium carbonate and residue. As this residue accumulates, it can cause blockages, restrict the flow of water and are also unsightly. This also makes the system less energy efficient, which can have an impact on bills. As such, an electric shower that implements a phased shutdown feature such as the Aqualisa Quartz™ will briefly run cold water through the system after the shower is turned off – which will stave off the limescale build up as it rids the system of the hard hot water.
As such, it’s important to know what to consider to ensure a satisfying shower, every single time.
In addition, the phased shutdown is also a safety feature. Depositing cold water into the system at the end of the shower ensures that the next user is not at risk from a blast of hot water.
POWER RATING Each model of electric shower is categorized by a power rating in kilowatts (kW). A higher kilowatt shower such as a 10kW,
EASE OF INSTALLATION Tell your customers that electric showers are extremely straight forward to install, and will cost them less in labour and materials
76
as the plumbing only needs to reach a mains cold water supply. Certified electricians and kbb installers who are accredited are required for the electrical circuit and safety installation, as the electrical circuit needs to be properly sealed to prevent water from getting into the system. PRICE Prices vary widely across the electric shower range – however, manufacturers such as Aqualisa provide a range of options to suit a variety of style and budget requirements. The Aqualisa Lumi™ is the ultimate in luxury, with an ultra-modern finish, while the Quartz™ range is a perfect collection for more budget friendly options. It may sound like I am stating the obvious to a professional kbb installer but it never hurts to send a reminder that an electric shower provides a host of benefits for the homeowner, as it doesn’t use precious stored hot water– especially handy in a large household whilst saving labour costs on installation. By imparting knowledge to the customer so that they properly understand what features suit which property, installers can be assured that the end-user (their customer) will not only be assured of a great shower every day but understand and feel comfortable that they made the right choice. www.aqualisa.co.uk
