Showers, How many different types are there?

January 02 2026, by Jennifer Howe, 2 min reading time

Modern showers are the updated version of traditional power showers and come in two main types: pumped (low pressure) and unpumped (high pressure), designed for modern pressurised systems such as combi boilers and heat pumps. They typically include a hidden controller box, a wall-mounted controller, and a shower set, with many newer models offering app control for added convenience. Mixer showers are available in exposed or concealed designs and can run multiple outlets, including fixed heads, handsets, body jets, and even bath fillers. They work by mixing pressurised hot and cold water through a thermostat before delivering it to the selected outlet. While effective, mixer showers can be affected by limescale buildup, which may cause temperature control issues—something that can often be resolved with a thermostat rebuild.

Showers come in several different types here are a few:

Electric Showers

Electric Showers are designed to work from your mains cold water and have an internal heating tank and element, as the cold water comes in it runs around the heating element throught the thermostat then out of the hose and throught to the head. 

IF YOU CHANGE YOUR SHOWER HEAD PLEASE ENSURE YOU PUT THE CORRECT TYPE BACK ON!

 Electric shower heads are designed smaller to restrict the flow allowing the water to be heated correctly. If you have a higher flow rate the water isn't in the heater for long enough so will cause electrical overload.

 A smaller head or a scaled up head! causes the water to be in the heater for too long causing over heating, In the case of some older showers (Tritons mainly) there is a safety valve (usually located behind the hose) which has a small ball pressed in, when the shower head causes to much restriction the ball "Blows" out usually down the plug hole before you notice it and you appear to have a leak. These safety valves are normally a few pounds on Ebay and can be easily changed once you isolate the electric andremove the front cover.

Power Showers

Much rarer now, these use gravity fed cold water and the hot water in your immersion tank, comined with a low current power supply to run an internal booster pump giving you a more powerful shower.

Digital Showers

These are the modern equivalent of the power shower and come in 2 main forms, pumped/Low pressure (Acts like the power shower above) and unpumped/High pressure designed for modern pressurised heating systems like combi boliers, ground/air source heat pump systems and pressurised tanks. They consist of a controller box that can be placed in a loft, airing cupboard, under a bath / tray, a shower set comprising of a sliding rail and/or a fixed head. A controller that mounts on the wall and connects either wirelessly or via a data cable. many modern ones now have app capability meaning you can turn the shower on while still watching TV so its warm when you get there (Or turn it off if someones taking to long!)

Mixer Showers

These themselves come in various shapes and sizes exposed or concealed 1, 2, 3, 4 or even 5 outlets to run fixed heads, body jets, handsets, even fill the bath! or any combination of the above.

Mixer showers all work on the same principle, hot and cold pressurised water goes in, through the thermostat, through the on/off or divertor assembly then out to the corresponding head/s. These showers were developed for the continents high pressure systems where they have soft water! unfortunately the downside is they suffer from internal limescale that blocks the thermostats small filters or jam the thermostatic plate, usually you will notice moving the handle doesnt alter the temperature then the handle will start to seize if you have any of these issues get in touch as we offer a thermostat rebuild in the shop whilst you wait for just £15

• Share on:
• WhatsApp
• Deel
• X
• Pin it
• Messenger
• Email