Mixer tap before electric shower

Question

We have a cylinder that can run on electric but also gets heated when the oil burner heats the house. However, our shower is electric that means we heat up the water for the shower even if the cylinder is full of hot water. Could a set-up work where a thermostatic mixer tap would get cold and hot water, mix it to say 40C (if there is hot water in the cylinder)  and this would feed the electric shower? If the water that come in is warm enough already, it would not need to heat it (or just a little) if it come in cold, since there is no hot water in the cylinder, it would just work as an electric shower and heat the water. I could fit the mixer tap in the hot press right the opposite side of the wall to the shower.

Saroosh · Accepted Answer

Yes, it's definitely possible to install a thermostatic mixer tap to mix hot and cold water to a desired temperature before it reaches the electric shower. This setup could optimize energy usage by utilizing preheated water from the cylinder when available.

The concept you're describing involves blending the water to a specific temperature (around 40°C) using the hot water from the cylinder when it's available. If the cylinder has hot water at or near the desired temperature, the mixer tap could adjust the blend to the required warmth without relying solely on the electric shower to heat the water.

However, when the cylinder's hot water is insufficient or unavailable, the electric shower would function independently to heat the water to the desired temperature.

The feasibility of this setup depends on a few factors:

Plumbing Configuration: You'll need to assess if it's feasible to install the mixer tap in the hot press and connect it appropriately to both the cylinder's hot water supply and the cold water supply.

Thermostatic Mixer Tap Selection: Choose a mixer tap that can effectively regulate the water temperature and handle fluctuations in the input temperature.

Consulting a Professional: Consulting a plumber or a professional experienced in this type of setup would be beneficial. They can assess your existing plumbing, advise on the best tap and system for your needs, and ensure proper installation.

By blending preheated water from the cylinder with cold water using a thermostatic mixer tap, you can potentially reduce the amount of energy required by the electric shower to heat the water, especially when the cylinder already contains hot water. This setup could lead to more energy-efficient showering, particularly during periods when the cylinder is heated by the oil burner.

Niculae · Answer

Electric shower should be connected to a cold water supply in the first place

Jerzy · Answer

A bit complicated. You can't run hot water to mixer valve, and also any water pipes 20 to 45 is a risk of legionella which can kill if you don't want to use massive amount of water you can fit water heater 20l or 30l.
If I understand correctly.

Wessel · Answer

Yes it can work and I can fit mixer shower for the house

Mike · Answer

The electric shower only has a cold water feed. Even if you were to change to mixer shower valve you would need to change the pipe work to supply a hot water feed. You would also need to fit a pump. The trouble with a gravity fed system, which is what you have, is that it usually has low pressure which is why they have fitted an electric shower

Nick · Answer

Short answer is yes.
Scrap electric shower and fit a thermostatic shower valve and adjust plumbing to suit

Andrew · Answer

No electric showers work on mains cold only and heat up inside the electric shower unit itself.

Mark · Answer

Hello
I understand why you are suggesting this, however it is not the standard way of setting up an electric shower, they are supplied by cold water.
The cold water they recieve has mains pressure, which is what moves the water to all of the houses. It is unlikely that the pressure that your hot water tank would supply would be as high because it is gravity fed.
There are ways around this, but I'm not sure any of them would be preferable to your current set up
Kind Regards
Mark

Shane · Answer

Heating the cylinder has no effect on the shower if it’s electric. Best route to go would be a thermostatic shower and if the hot water isn’t pressurised fit a shower pump to feed the shower.

James · Answer

First, is the shower on its own or over a bath? If its over a bath, you could change the bath taps for one with a shower head on top of the taps, with a mixer built in. or put a mixer in the pipes to the shower You might consider where your bathroom is,  How high will the shower head be below the water tank feeding it. etc

Mixer tap before electric shower

Follow Us

Cookies

Manage Cookies

Essential cookies

Analytics & Tracking

Advertising