INDUSTRY INSIGHT
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www.heatingandventilating.net Finding the right shower
A decent shower is one of life’s necessities. However today’s installers and homeowners are presented with a diverse shower market, with options to suit every home and lifestyle. Lisa Ward, senior product manager at Bristan, looks at the stand-out showers to meet customers’ needs
comfort considerations front of mind during a design or refurbishment. The shower, which often acts as a
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centrepiece to the bathroom, is a vital part of this. Nowadays, just 4 per cent of Britons regularly take a bath, with 76 per cent reporting that they prefer the speed and efficiency of a shower. However, not all showers are created
equally, and there are numerous options to suit every budget, home and personal taste. As the main port of call for advice and recommendations in this area, it’s well worth installers staying abreast of the latest shower innovations, and creating a mental shortlist of options for ease of recommendation, no matter what the requirements.
Digital showers
For gadget-savvy homeowners, digital showers are increasingly becoming a ‘must have’ product for the bathroom. According to a 2017 analysis and 2018- 2021 market forecast produced by AMA Research, demand for digital showers has shown strong growth in-line with the rise of smart technology in homes. What’s more, the report also found that plumbing installers are now more comfortable with digital showers and the installation benefits they offer, making them a win on both sides. Aside from the tech-appeal of digital
models, they provide an exceptional level of flexibility. Unlike a conventional shower, a digital shower is controlled remotely by a small processor box which thermostatically blends the hot and cold water flow. In this way, the shower controls can be situated virtually anywhere. For example, a control doesn’t have to be fitted inside the shower enclosure, it could be situated anywhere up to 10 metres from the valve, at a height that is easier to reach (particularly useful for families with small children or the elderly). As the mixer valve is wireless and can be fitted at a distance from the controller, the installer has more flexibility and choice of siting, resulting in a quicker and easier installation, and less mess and
April 2018
or many homeowners, the bathroom is just as important a space as the kitchen or living area, with style and
redecoration work for the homeowner. Also, as you’d expect with any smart technology, digital showering brings many benefits for the user too. As the digital processor is able to mix the hot and cold water supply with perfect precision, the homeowner can achieve the exact temperature they require, while a ‘heat-up’ mode means the shower will be at their desired temperate before they even get in. Further features include an ‘eco-mode’ enabling users to save on water without compromising on the showering experience. Also, as the control is wireless, users can operate the shower remotely from outside the bathroom.
The only obstacle with digital showers is
the perceived costs. According to research, three-quarters of us are open to smart products, but just a third are willing to pay the premium associated with high-tech fixtures. Fortunately, there are certain digital models available which are easily affordable for the tech-happy homeowners. Bristan’s Artisan Evo, for example, allows homeowners to bring digital into the bathroom, without draining their finances. Including a newly updated chrome controller, it remembers users’ preferred flow and temperature, and is available with a diverter – ensuring it meets individual showering preferences with ease.
Lisa Ward, Bristan’s
senior product manager
Electric showers
Examples of Bristan’s digital (above) and electric (below) showers
In arguably one of the greatest step-changes of the bathroom market in recent years, electric showers have gone from a necessary evil to a homeowner must-have. There are now more electric showers sold annually in the UK than mixers, meaning that installers are likely to be asked for product recommendations on a regular basis. And, far from the one-size-fits-all white plastic box of the past, there is now an increasing breadth of stylish units available. These are the perfect recommendation for en-suites or extra bathrooms, as they only require a cold-water supply, avoiding the need for the extensive new pipework required to install a mixer where there wasn’t one before. What’s more, certain electric models now
feature thermostatic controls, making them just as safe as their mixer counterparts. From an installation perspective, 80 per
cent of electric shower purchases are for replacement, so it’s important to choose an option which provides a simple, neat retrofit. Finding the right shower for a homeowner is a vital part of a bathroom build or refurbishment, and with so many options available, it makes sense for installers to have a broad range of recommendations. Whether a customer wants style, accessibility or high- tech features, there’s a shower out there to meet their needs, whilst ticking the boxes for ease of installation.
www.heatingandventilating.net
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