Inevitably, you have witnessed the cruelty of a freezing cold shower so many times up until now. Just when a warm, bringing back to life shower is all you need, almost as a rule there is no hot water. Maybe you forgot to turn on the water heater before you went out or maybe someone has already used up all the water. Whichever the case, the amount of frustration and even anger is almost unimaginable.
It is then understandable that you found yourselves thinking about an alternative so many times. The bath was definitely never the solution since it only makes things worse than your regular mixer shower. It also takes time for the water to heat up, and once you’re in the bath, water cools down so fast. Do not worry, though, since the solution exists and it’s a remarkable one!
How does an electric shower work
What is this spectacular innovation, you may wonder?
As a matter of fact, it is merely a shower. But not any shower. It’s an electric shower which brings many benefits and improvements in your life. We know that showers use less water in general, but this one is also energy efficient. In order for you to understand better how this is possible, let us go through some basic facts.
An electric shower consists of a number of elements, which are all interconnected and serve only one purpose – to always provide hot water. However, the basic elements are as follows:
1. Inlet pipe. Interestingly, you only need one, and it’s for the cold water;
2. Flow or temperature control;
3. On/Off switch;
4. Heating element;
5. Water heating tank;
6. Outlet pipe. This one is connected to the shower.
Although you may think that this is a large device, you will actually far from true. It is a small plastic “container” which takes up minimum space. Now that we have established basic elements and the appearance of the device let us get to know how does an electric shower work.
For a properly installed device in your bathroom, you need to connect the inlet pipe to the main water supply. The inlet pipe usually contains a valve which regulates water flow (i.e. when you turn on the shower, the valve opens, and the water starts running). The device also needs to be connected to the electrical network.
IMPORTANT! Here you need to be careful when choosing adequate wiring, power, etc. so as not to cause network overload.
Once you are connected to the water and electric supply system, your shower is ready to use. And, when you turn on the switch, this is what happens in your shower.
First, the valve opens, letting the water in. Once inside, the water separates in two directions. One part of water flows into a small heating tank, while the other part flows towards the outlet.
The water in the heating tank is being heated instantaneously, and it keeps flowing towards the thermostatic mixer valve. This is where the heated water meets the cold water coming directly from the inlet pipe, and once mixed they provide the required temperature you previously set on the on/off switch (low – medium – high).
When the required temperature is obtained, the water flows downwards to the outlet pipe. However, before it reaches the very exit, it passes by another valve which controls water pressure. The importance of the valve lies in the fact that it checks for too low pressure. If it recognizes that the pressure is too low, the valve shuts down the shower. On the other hand, if everything is fine, the water is free to flow toward the shower head through the outlet pipe.
Thinking About Safety of It All?
Since it is natural to be concerned about one of the highly dangerous combinations – water plus electricity (and, additionally, the pressure!), note that there is actually no need to worry whatsoever. Besides the valve which checks the low pressure, the device is also equipped with a thermal cut-out mechanism that turns off the water supply if the water gets too hot.
Moreover, the electric shower is also equipped with a pressure release device and an overflow pipe. This basically means that if the water pressure rises, the device makes it possible for the excess water to run down an overflow pipe.
For the sake of comparison, the old heating systems are way more dangerous in this respect. The reason is that they unavoidably incorporate larger boilers, with volumes ranging from 5 litres to 20 litres and larger. These boilers contain hot water, pressurized, so see the problem here? And as a complete opposite, you get a tiny device that achieves the same effect. No, not the same. Better.
Most importantly, there is no way for the heating element to get in contact with water. It is adequately protected and sealed so as to avoid any possibility for the water to reach the element.
Now that we have unveiled the mystery of how does an electric shower work and what kind of benefits it brings, you can say good-bye once and for all to the old-fashioned, outdated showers and baths. Go treat yourself to a better shower experience!
Conclusion
To conclude, if you have made the right choice from the product currently offered in the market and the product is properly installed, you can finally have that perfect (electric) shower you deserve.
Enjoy it!
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