Thermostatic Mixer Shower Cost Guide

Thermostatic mixer showers are ideal for homes with young families as you can regulate the temperature to reduce the risk of scalding. Top brands can be pricey – so how much should you expect to spend on installing a thermostatic mixer shower?

How much does it cost to install a thermostatic shower?

How much it costs to install a thermostatic shower depends on the type of shower you choose, what your plumbing is like and your location in the UK.

The average cost to supply and install a thermostatic shower is £350-£500.

Top thermostatic mixer shower brands

One of the biggest factors that will impact how much it costs to install your shower is the brand of thermostatic shower you choose. Here are some of the top thermostatic mixer shower brands and how much you should expect to pay for them:

Shower brand	Price range
Aqualisa	£200-£500
Bristan	£175-£410
Grohe	£185-£500
Ideal Standard	£160-£550
Mira	£140-£700

How does a thermostatic mixer shower work?

Thermostatic mixer showers connect to your hot and cold water supply. They store water at a high temperature and use a series of internal valves to mix it with cold water to your desired temperature. 

The valves also instantly react to changes in water temperature, adding more hot or cold water as needed to bring the water back to your set temperature. A thermostatic shower will also shut down immediately if the cold water supply fails. This makes them ideal for families with young children as there is no risk of sudden, unexpected scalding.

Types of thermostatic shower

Concealed valve

Concealed thermostatic shower valves are perfect for minimalist bathrooms. As the name suggests, the valves and all the internal workings of the shower sit behind the wall so you can’t see them. Only the controls, riser and shower head will be seen, giving your bathroom a sleek look.

Exposed valve

Exposed valve thermostatic showers offer a stylish industrial look to your bathroom. All the valves and pipes are fixed to the wall and become more of a feature in the room.

Bar valve

Bar valves are usually the cheapest thermostatic shower valves as they’re easy to fit. They are compact so are perfect for small bathrooms and come in square or cylindrical bars in a range of finishes.

What is the difference between a mixer shower and a thermostatic shower?

A mixer shower uses your hot and cold water supply to mix it to your set temperature, but it can’t instantly react to sudden changes in temperature.

For example, if you’re using a normal mixer shower and someone turns on a tap in another room, that could cause the pressure to change and your shower may get too hot or cold. You would have to adjust the temperature manually or wait for the tap to turn off before the temperature goes back to normal. With a thermostatic shower, it would react straight away and add more hot or cold water to bring it back to your set temperature.

Do you need a combi boiler for a thermostatic shower?

No, you don't need a combi boiler for a thermostatic shower. They can be used with conventional or system boilers, making them a great option for many households. However, you do need to have good water pressure.

Thermostatic mixer showers are highly recommended for homes with combi boilers, however. This is because they can struggle to provide multiple outlets with water at the same time, which can cause fluctuations in shower temperature. With a thermostatic shower, the temperature should be much more stable.

Can you have a cold shower with a thermostatic shower?

You can still have a cold shower with a thermostatic shower, but if you want an extremely cold shower you may struggle. This is because the valves may still mix some hot water into the shower head even if you have the temperature set as low as it can go.

Do you need electricity for a thermostatic shower?

No, you don't need electricity for a thermostatic shower. Unlike an electric shower, they are connected to your hot water supply, so your boiler heats the hot water for the shower rather than an electric element.

However, you can buy thermostatic electric showers, but reviews on their reliability vary. Make sure you do your research before you buy a thermostatic electric shower.

Is a thermostatic shower more powerful than an electric shower?

Thermostatic showers are more powerful than electric showers. You need to have a high-pressure water supply for a thermostatic mixer shower to work effectively, whereas electric showers are suited to homes that don’t have good pressure.

Most of the time, electric showers are fitted in homes that have a gravity-fed system, like a conventional boiler with a hot water tank and cold water tank in the loft. The gravity helps create pressure, which generally isn’t enough for a thermostatic shower.

Make sure you get a range of quotes from reliable plumbers before you go ahead with installing a thermostatic mixer shower. Post your job on HaMuch to get quotes from trusted plumbers in your area.

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