shower pump

[lilynmax]

i have been informed that as I have an electric shower fed from the main tank a shower pump will probably not improve the flow of water from the shower. I have checked and the shower is 8.5kw - if I were to change this to, say, 10.5kw, would this improve things, or am I looking at a lost cause?

[raysparx1]

If it is a normal 8.5 kw shower this should be direct from the mains not fed from a tank, a pump should improve the flow, or go for a power shower, don't change it for a 10.5kw or you will probably have to have it rewired, unless the cable feeding the shower is a 10mm twin & earth already, you would not be able to rewire this yourself as it is in a special location, there fore has to be certified and registered with the local council.

[buildersmate]

Lily. This is a follow-up question to the one you posted here. http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Home-and-Garden /DIY/Question321326.html

In my response I asked you whether turning down the temperature dial on your shower increases the flow rate of the water coming out. What is the answer to that? That will help me, Ray, Gasman or anyone else understand whether the flowrate power you desire from your shower is being limited presently by its electrical rating.

[lilynmax]

you were right - it does increase the colder you run it. Would a higher Kw shower help? I have seen some triton pumped electric showers that apparantly can help water pressue when it's low, but don't know anything else about them.

[buildersmate]

Yes, it would. But see Ray's answer above mine - you may have to upgrade the cable feeding the unit to be able to do this - he's a qualified electrician, I'm not.
It is not that your water pressure is low. It is that the electricity available to heat the water cannot do it fast enough for the flow you desire! You either have to shove more electricity in (bigger rated unit - say 10.5kW) or reduce what you are trying to extract out in hot water! This means either a lower shower temperature, or a reduced power flow. Its a simple case of physics!!

[woodchopper]

Would fitting a smaller shower head not help a bit ?

[buildersmate]

Good idea, Woodchopper. Let us know how you get on Lily.