Electric shower head heaters

Constant hot water, constant savings

I lived in Costa Rica for a year, and while travelling there I discovered the electric shower head, a great way to save energy on hot water. If you live in North America you have probably not heard of these marvelous inventions, unless you live in a mobile home, or are at the cutting edge of energy efficiency. What are they?
An electric shower head heats ambient-temperature water to a comfortable shower temperature as it is coming out the shower head. This means you don't need to keep a tank of water hot just so you can take a shower. Or, if you live in a cooler climate, you don't have to keep your water as hot for other uses.
A comfortable shower temperature is usually slightly warmer than body temperature - about 38 to 42C, or 100 to 108F. If you're a devoted energy conserver, there aren't a lot of other household hot water uses that require that hot a temperature. In fact you can do pretty much everything else in cold water, including laundry, dishes, filling the mop bucket, even running your automatic dishwasher (which, if ENERGY STAR rated, has its own built-in heater, although not all of them can handle starting from cold water). The only exception would be a bath, but if you can live without the occasional hot bath, you can cut your hot water bill to almost zero with an electric shower water heater.

Can you really survive with no other hot water?

Coral electric shower head,
110 volts
About $59
My initial reaction to this shower head (which I tried in Costa Rica in about ten different versions as I hopped from house to hotel to house) was that it would never work in a cold country like Canada. Why? Because the water coming out my tap in Toronto is about 4C or 39F for much of the year, and even washing your hands in water that cold is extremely uncomfortable. If you have to heat water for washing your hands, why bother with the extra hardware of an electric shower fitting?
In tropical countries like Costa Rica, this isn't a problem. Since the weather is warm or hot year-round, the water coming out the cold water tap is typically between 18C and 24C, which is warm enough that you don't get chilblains washing your hands in it. People in Costa Rica earn much less, on average, than North Americans, so they are more careful with their energy use. They wash their clothes and dishes in cold water too, and in fact in most houses the plumbing doesn't even have a hot water pipe. A shower is the only thing they can't handle taking cold. But that doesn't seem to make sense for North Americans, at least not in cooler areas.
Then it occurred to me that the main reason North Americans set our hot water heater temperature so high (especially for tank water heaters) is so that we can take a nice long shower and not run out of hot water. If we could get by with warm water out of the hot water tank - for washing hands, doing dishes, running the dishwasher, filling the mop bucket - and with cold water for everything else, showers would be the only reason we would need our tank heater set to 60C or 140F. But if we used an electric shower head, we could have endless hot water in our showers (not that most serious energy savers would ever have a shower more than about ten or fifteen minutes long), and set our hot water tank heater as low as 38C or 100F. That would still give us water warm enough to wash our hands or dishes in, and might put a big dent in our hot water bill.
Note that the Canadian Government, for one, warns of the risk of Legionella or other bacterial diseases building up in hot water tanks that are not kept hot enough. I'm not sure what the bacteria would be breeding on if your water is clean, or how they would breed if you have chlorine in your water supply. But be forewarned.

Heating cold water to a comfortable temperature

Legionella warnings aside, as far as the input temperature being too cold, the fact is that you can still get hot water out with cold water going in - you just have to reduce the flow. One brand of shower head, Coral, claims it can take incoming water as low as 40F or 4C (above 50F or 10C is recommended). So it will work, at least marginally, in Canada.
Lorenzetti electric showerhead 220 volts
About $69
When selecting an electric shower head for use in a cold climate, it is very important to consider the input water temperature and the wattage of the unit. Consider the Lorenzetti electric showerhead pictured here. This shower head is rated at a maximum wattage of 5,500 watts. 5,500 watts is enough energy to warm 3.816 gallons of water by 10 degrees Fahrenheit. The shower head is rated at 2 gallons per minute, which means that at full flow it can only warm the water by a maxiumum of 19F or 10.6C. If your input water is a balmy 80F or 27C, as it typically is in Costa Rica (or in Brazil, where the Lorenzetti unit is made), your hot shower will run at full blast at 99F or 38C, which, being just above body temperature, will at least be comfortable in a warm bathroom.
But what if you're in chilly Toronto in the winter? The water in my tap comes out at around 4-6C (39-43F). To heat that to a comfortable 38C or 100F is a differential of roughly 33C or 59F. With 5500 watts of input from the Lorenzetti showerhead the water flow would have to throttle back to about 0.64 gallons per minute, which is about a cup of water every ten seconds, in order to get to a comfortable temperature. And unlike electric tankless water heaters, some of which can throttle back the flow to maintain the desired output temperature, most electric shower heads don't have a throttling feature so they just fail to warm the water sufficiently. So in a cold climate the best use for these shower heads is probably for something like an outdoor pool shower or a summer cottage shower - or to heat the water to a comfort temperature from a hot water source, while keeping the hot water tank below comfortable shower temperature.
Does the idea of washing your hands, or doing dishes, in cold water sound intolerable? Maybe, but bear in mind that in many colder countries this is the norm. In Japan many houses have no hot water except for showering. And the winters can get pretty chilly there. This is just a discomfort people suffer because their energy is priced high enough to motivate them to make sacrifices.

Temperature and safety problems

There are two main problems with electric shower heads: temperature and safety.

Temperature control

The temperature out of the shower head depends on the speed of water flow, the temperature of the incoming water, and the available current. So there is no way to consistently get the same temperature each time you shower, unless your water pressure and voltage are constant, and you can memorize exactly how much to open the shower spigot. It does take a bit of getting used to; I was warned that if I set the water too slow, I might get burned by the excessive heating of a small amount of water. But the shower heads seem to have a built-in sensor to prevent this - I haven't been burned once. On the other hand, there have been times when the heat took a long time to kick in. Some of them appear to have a preheat period, and that period is sensitive to how fast the water flow is (but whether more flow means a faster preheat or not, I haven't been able to determine consistently).
The point is, these electric shower heads take a little getting used to. But the more I use them the more convinced I am they make sense for any climate where a hot water heater isn't needed for other uses.

Safety issues

Because electric shower heads are electrical devices they carry some risk of electric shock if installed incorrectly. Note these key points before purchasing and installing yours:

Make sure the model you purchase is certified for use in your jurisdiction. In the US and Canada this means it must be certified by either Underwriters Laboratory (UL), or the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). Either certification is acceptable for either country, and both are recognized in a wide range of other countries. Don't install something that isn't certified - you're increasing your risk of injury and you may be buying a poor-quality product.
No wires should be exposed. Of the ones I've tried in Costa Rica, many have the electric wires for the shower head connected with just a joiner cap and some electrical tape. It would be easy for a tall person, while trying to reach up for a bottle of shampoo on a ledge, to accidentally touch the joiner cap, and if it wasn't completely sealed, the water from their fingers might trigger an electric shock.
The wiring must be properly grounded - really well grounded in fact. And if you live in a dry area this may be a challenge. Even a copper pipe going into the ground may not provide a proper grounding if the soil is dry - you may need to dump water or saltwater down where the grounding pipe is periodically.
The circuit must be a dedicated circuit with the appropriate amperage. Most of these showers require a 30 or 40 amp circuit. (They are energy hogs for the few minutes they're on - but they're hardly ever on!) If you don't have them on a high enough circuit you may keep blowing the circuit, which is not a fun thing to have happen when you're covered in shampoo and soap and the water goes permanently cold.
The weight of the shower head heater element, and the fact that the shower head often extends out some distance from the wall (because many of these electric shower heads project straight down, not at an angle), means the shower head may need to be supported by more than the pipe coming out of the wall. Laundry wire or cabling connecting the shower head-end of the water pipe to points above on the wall or ceiling is usually used. You don't want a running shower head crashing down on you as you're showering!

Energy savings with electric shower heads

Manufacturers of electric shower heads claim huge energy savings over using a conventional hot water tank. Be wary of these claims. Note the following:

The claims typically refer to the energy efficiency only of the hot water used for the shower. If you need hot water for anything else, this efficiency claim won't mean much for you - the other uses will still operate at the efficiency of your regular hot water heater.
The claims typically refer to an improvement in energy efficiency versus an electric tank hot water heater. It's not clear how efficient a tank hot water heater they are comparing to. There is a large variation in electric tank hot water heater efficiency, since for one thing the amount of insulation on a tank has a huge impact on its efficiency.
If you are metered on time-of-use, or worse yet, on peak usage, these appliances can really be costly even if energy efficient. That's because their heating elements are between 2.5 and 5 kilowatts (2,500 to 5,000 watts). So while they don't use much energy over the course of a day, while they are operating they are using a lot. (An analogy would be a fire hose turned on for ten seconds - short but full of power!) As a result, anyone on time-of-use metering will pay more than expected for this hot water if they shower during peak times. For peak usage - where part of your bill is based on your peak consumption through the month - having this heater on and another high-wattage device such as central air at the same time, can really push your peak up, and hence the peak part of your bill.

Electric shower kits

Another option popular in England, according to one of my site visitors, are electric showers, which are actual wall-mounted units with adjustments and a shower attachment coming out of the unit. Typical units are 8 to 10 kilowatts at 230-250 volts.
The Ecosmart 5.5KW Point of Use shower kit is one such kit - formerly available in the US, appears to have been withdrawn in early 2010 - and comes complete with connection cable, flow valve, hand held massage showerhead, soap dish, mounting brackets and hose. It attaches directly in the shower stall. As with electric shower heads, this kit uses less energy than an electric hot water tank, and in fact uses slightly less energy than an electric tankless water heater, because there are no lengths of pipe for the hot water to travel through on its way from the heater to the shower, since the unit is right in the shower. Comes with a five-year warranty.

Electric shower head manufacturers

I can't claim any familiarity with the quality of particular manufacturers' products. But look for the following manufacturers, and make your own assessment based on criteria such as product features, how long they have been in business, where their primary markets are (and how similar to your area the climate and regulations and quality expectations for those markets are), and how well they document their products. I've listed them here in an order that represents how much confidence I have that they are high quality products, based on the above criteria - with the first ones indicating higher confidence, the last ones lower confidence. But I don't make any claim that my ranking is scientific, accurate, or even correct. Just a starting point for your own research!

Coral brand shower heads, sold in the US. Manufacturing location unknown. Pictured above.
Marey International (US company based in Florida). I received word from them in mid-October 2008 that they are trying to get their electric shower heads UL certified for sale in the US and Canada, but no news yet on when this might occur.
Hoter Perfect (available in both 110/120v and 220/240v; shipped worldwide; made in Israel). Includes both shower heads and electric instant hot water, both inline (between the water source and the tap) and regular (after the tap, as with the electric shower system).
Lorenzetti. Manufacturer of many electric showerhead systems based in Brazil. Their products are hard to find in North America (other than the one pictured above) but more dependable than the Coral brand, which some reviewers describe as a piece of junk.
Angelotty Plumb Pro electric shower water heaters (company based in Hong Kong, CE approved).
BlueWave (no UL or CSA certification yet; appears to be made in China).

Ecocamel Aerated Hose Shower Head

Save energy and water whilst enjoying an invigorating spa shower experience with the all new Ecocamel Jetstorm water saving shower head.
We now sell a German Water Saving Shower Head (pictured below) instead of the Ecocamel for a number of reasons. (Click on image to see full details)
4: Most importantly we can sell this shower head to our customers for €24.95. (10 Euro less than the Ecocamel)
New German Water Saving Shower Head Only €24.95
Featured on the UK Apprentice on BBC 1 the Ecocamel has been described as 'one of the best performing showerheads. very little noise. a good flow and even spray pattern' by UK independent water consumption agency Waterwise.
The Ecocamel Jetstorm uses twin Injet valve technology to reduce your water use whilst retaining pressure. It is estimated that an Ecocamel Jetstorm uses a maximum of 8 litres of water per minute whatever the bar pressure of your water flow. It will pay for itself within eight weeks.
If you have a shower with a wall fixing check out the Ecocamel Fixed Shower Head Here
The new faceplate and wipe clean rubber nodules also help prevent the build up of limescale another great feature especially if you reside in an area where hard water is common.
Watch Video About the Ecocamel Water Saving Shower Head

Features & Benefits of an aerated shower head

Saves Energy by Using Up to 60 % Less Hot Water
Eliminates clogging & scaling – contains removable face plate
Contains quick drain feature – anti-legionella effect
Easy to fit – no plumbing required- fits all standard shower hose
Sleek chrome design with unique spray effect
Water consumption - conventional showerhead - 12 litres a minute.
Water consumption – new Aerated showerhead 7 litres a minute.

Potential Savings with an Ecocamel Showerhead

It is estimated that with an aerated showerhead install a family of four will save over 43,000 litres of water every year.
It is estimated that a family of four can save up to €290 every year on water and electricity bills using the new aerated showerhead so this product will pay for itself in no time.

How does the ecocamel work?

Air is inhaled into the water stream through a venturi device at the base of the handle to create a mix of water and air.
This mixture increases the pressure inside the body of the shower head causing turbulence and spins the water at high speed.
Pressurised spa like shower spray gives an enjoyable full flow performance, delivering up to 60% savings on water.
More water is needed to wet you thereby increasing wastage.
The aerated showerhead spray actually contains lighter, softer water droplets that break on impact against the skin.
This gives an enhanced showering experience without water splashing everywhere.
Using the aerated showerhead in a bathroom with a shower curtain will push the curtain away from your body when you shower, in contrast to conventional non aerated showerheads which encourage the curtain to cling to your body rather annoyingly.
The Aerated Showerhead uses the principles of fluid dynamics to inject air directly into the water stream, forcing a strong pressure of air bubbles inside the shower head to causes turbulence and spin the water at high speed.
The extra velocity produces a unique pressurised shower spray increasing the volume and accelerating the water as it leaves the shower head to give powerful wetting and washing properties with a high impact rinse.

Installation of Ecocamel Jetstorm.

Simply unscrew your old showerhead and install your Ecocamel Jetstorm. To ensure a tight fit you wipe the threads clean on the shower arm and wrap Teflon tape over the thread.
Will the Ecocamel Jetstorm work on all showers?
Generally speaking yes the Ecocamel works perfectly well on all showers but on rare ocassions it is necessary to remove the restrictor at the base of the showerhead when using on electric showers.
When this happens you probably won't benefit from water saving as newer electric showers tend to be low flow anyway however the Twin Inkjet technology will probably improve the water pressure and thus your showering experience.

How does the Ecocamel Rate with Purchase.ie Customers?

S Brady says:
The Ecocamel showerhead Jetstorm is impressive. Very good pressure but now with half the water and therefore half the electricity – very economical with a couple teenage daughters in the house!

Showers

Taking a shower today is more than about simply washing – thanks to a fantastic new range of water jets and high-powered shower sprays on the market today from such leading manufacturers as Mira, Triton and Hudson Reed.
In fact, there’s such a variety of new ways to wash standing up that, understandably, many of us are eager to try out some of the latest shower devices designed to bring us nothing but bathroom pleasure.
Before you rush out and flex your credit card though, it’s worth taking a look through all the possible options to find out which is most appropriate for your bathroom.
Read More.
Electric showers
They’ve been around for some time but there’s still one of the most popular sellers in the world of bathroom showrooms. Electric showers work by connecting with the main system and heating the cold water to flow warm through the shower head. It’s easy to stall, inexpensive to purchase and can be placed just about anywhere in the bathroom, provided it can connect to the main water supply. An electric shower will always work – even if the rest of the heating in your home fails.
Power showers
Power showers are initially more expensive than electric showers – but there’s a reason for that. The showering experience is fab. The increased cost of the power shower is all to do with the technology (cold and hot water is mixed together while an integrated pump ensures the water runs at speed). The good news is that because it only heats the water being used, the costs work out in the long run. Power showers are very good for bathrooms with a low water pressure supply.
Mixer showers
The aptly-named Mixer showers combine both hot and cold water to produce the perfect temperature for your shower. They’re suitable for mains-fed water systems, those which operate with high pressure, low pressure, or with a tank. Because there’s no bulky electrics attached to a mixer shower it looks especially good in a modern minimalist style bathroom – especially when fitted with a concealed valve.
Digital showers
That freezing cold morning shower will always be a thing of the past when you install a digital shower in your home. That’s because the shower will tell you when the water’s perfect temperature-wise. And it won’t take long to heat up either. It’s all effortlessly controlled by you via a push button system. This is digital technology at its best.
Shower towers
For those who enjoy variety when it comes to their morning (or evening shower) the shower tower is perfect. The tower can hold various types of shower heads, body jets and controls – all on the one panel to make sure no shower experience is ever the same two days in a row.
Shower body jets
Shower body jets can be an incredibly relaxing sensation since they do the job of massaging the body as well as helping to wash it. Despite the impressive water pressure, our Techflow range at Bella Bathrooms is so quiet that decibel-wise you’d hardly know it was on. Being very low in energy consumption Techflow also boast impressive eco credentials.
Bella Bathrooms Buyers Guide: Showers
Thanks to the extensive range of water jets and high powered sprays on offer, taking a shower is no longer just about getting clean. The type of showerhead you use has the potential to change the entire stand up wash experience and turn your shower into a blissful retreat that you’ll never want to get out of! We take a look at the different options to help guide you through the decision process and choose the perfect shower for you.
Read More.
Electric showers
Electric showers aren't new but they continue to be the option of choice for shower goers across the globe! Operating by connecting the shower to the main heating system and turning the cold flow to warm, electric showers are an easy and inexpensive option. They are also highly flexible and can be placed anywhere in the bathroom as long as they can be connected to the main water supply. The major benefit of electric showers is that they are guaranteed to work at all times, regardless of whether or not the rest of your home heating system is functioning.
Mixer showers
As expected, mixer showers combine hot and cold water to run the ideal temperature desired by the shower user. The style is particularly popular in modern and minimalist bathrooms, the lack of bulky equipment and potential for concealed valves giving them a sleek and streamlined look.
Power showers
The initial outlay for these little gems is significantly more than installing an electric system, however this is offset by the amazing shower experience that they bring to the daily wash! Power showers are a great option for bathrooms with low water pressure systems, using the latest shower technology to mix hot and cold water together while an integrated pump ensures the water runs at speed. Due to the fact that they only heat water being used, power showers will eventually pay for themselves in the long run.
Digital showers
Technology lovers will go weak at the knees for digital showers, the innovative design ensuring the perfect water temperature can be achieved at the touch of a button.
Shower towers
Shower towers are the ultimate indulgent shower experience. Capable of housing several different types of heads, jets and controls, the shower tower ensures that every wash can be tailored to suit your mood.
Shower body jets
These jets are a decadent shower option that not only cleans but also massage the body with its high pressure water streams. Did someone say day spa?
No matter what your practical needs or indulgent wants, the range of shower options on offer is vast and varied. From traditional mixers to extravagant shower towers, there is something to suit every style and budget.

ELECTRIC SHOWER