A power shower needs no introduction; it is an exclusively popular bathroom appliance for those ‘on the go’. It is popular because it enables a high-pressure showering experience. An electric pump facilitates high pressure, which is a vital component of the appliance.
This device also benefits those living in homes that have perpetually low water pressure. A properly installed power shower invariably makes showering faster.
In this blog post, we will discuss power shower installing. Before we start, it is important to remember a few things.
- A DIY enthusiast having basic knowledge of plumbing as well as electrics can tackle the installation of the appliance.
- However, it is important to have the work checked by a qualified tradesman who will also make the final connection.
Table of Content
Installation of a power shower
To make the installation procedure easy to understand let us break it down into simple steps. Let us start with:
Preparations:
Before starting the core installation process, an electrician barnet suggests checking the KW (kilowatt) rating of the power shower unit. The higher the KW rating, the higher is the power consumption.
In addition, as you are already aware, the higher the power consumption, the higher is the utility bill. Thankfully, units that consume lower power are also available. You can also set the unit to an economic setting to cut down power consumption.
Get rid of clutter, if any, from the room. Remove any valuable item and cover up anything easy to pick up scratches and marks. While making the installation you will require space to work smart and efficiently. Do tie-up with a licensed electrician to make the final connection after checking the installation.
Tools you require
The tools that will make your job easy include the following:
- Drill
- Adjustable wrench
- Screwdriver set
- Pencil
- Electronic detector
- Masonry bit set
- Reciprocal saw
- Pipe cutter
- Compressed tee fixing
The installing procedures:
- Electricity is potentially dangerous. Therefore, start with switching off the circuit breaker or fuse box so that there is a chance of an electric shock. Select a strategic location for the electric shower unit.
- Take off the front cover of the water heater and fix it to the wall. Outline the heater with a pencil. Make sure the pencil sketch includes details like all the outlets or holes, points for electrical cable as well as the copper pipe.
- Use an electronic detector to scan for wires and cables inside the wall before you start drilling holes. As a safety measure, bury the electrical cables from the water heater in the wall either horizontally or vertically in the middle of the unit and the switch.
- Use a drill while drilling holes in the wall for pipes and cables although alternatively, you may use a reciprocal saw as well. Make use of the sliding rail or the wall bracket as the outline while drilling holes for the shower rail.
- In the next move turn off the main stopcock while running the cold water, tap dry. Connect the copper pipe to the rising main through a 155 mm compressed tee fixing. You will need to use an adjustable range at this stage.
- Cut out a lengthy hole in the wall at the main’s pipe. The hole is meant to accommodate the compressed fitting. Place the new copper pipe in the third arm on the tee; place a stop valve near the tee, which will facilitate repairing as and when required in the future.
- Turn off the stop valve and restore the connection to the cold water supply. Attach a flexible hosepipe at the end of the copper pipe.
- Check out for leaks by flushing the new pipe. Connect the copper pipe with the bottom of the heater unit before shutting off the stop valve. While connecting the copper pipe to the bottom of the heater unit you need an elbow pipe, sealing olive and nut along with an adjustable range.
- Last but the least, ensure there is no leak by opening the stop valve and then just turn that off.
Electric shower wattage
While browsing through new electric shower units you will invariably come across KW rating, KW stands for kilowatt. This denotes the power as well as the pressure of the water flow.
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This range of shower units follows a basic mechanism – it accepts cold water into its system and then heating that water to the desired temperature very fast. The hot water then comes out through the showerhead.
When you prefer a higher temperature, the mechanism needs more time to reach that temperature. Thus, the rate of water flow through the system is slowed down. Shower units powered with higher KW capacity simultaneously maintain the higher temperature while delivering water at high pressure.
Shower systems with a higher kW can maintain these higher temperatures while simultaneously keeping the pressure high.
Ideal power shower wattage capacity for residential properties
Selecting the wattage capacity for your home power shower depends on two factors – the existing electrical setup and the water supply in your home. The capacity of the water tank and the degree of consistency of the flow of water in your home help determining the ideal wattage required for you.
If the water supply is slightly unreliable or the existing water tank is small go for a 5 kW or 8.5 kW electric shower unit. Alternatively, invest in an 8 kW or 10.8 kW unit if you have a spacious water tank and the water flow in your home is consistent as well as reliable.
While installing a power shower it is also crucial to consider your fuse setup. It must have a sufficient number of amps to support your power shower. If you do not have this information n then you should better seek a plumber or an electrician right away for their professional advice.
