There was a gap of more than two hundred years between the shower being invented in 1767 and the launch of the digital shower in the early 2000s. So it’s no surprise that most people haven’t upgraded to a digital unit yet, and 90% of UK households still have a traditional shower fitted.
If you’re weighing up the benefits of switching to a digital shower, then read on to find out more.
What is a digital shower?
Unlike a traditional shower, a digital shower has a built-in digital thermostat, which is controlled by a separate unit. This unit can be used remotely from elsewhere in the bathroom or fitted in the shower enclosure.
A digital thermostat gives you greater control over the temperature and flow of the water.
It’s worth noting that a digital electric shower isn’t quite the same thing as an electric shower, which is simply powered by electricity and doesn’t have the same functionality.
Although the digital shower is considered a modern innovation, it can be styled in a traditional way. The shower brassware, head, and ‘telephone’ handset and hose can all be given a classic makeover.
What are the benefits of a digital shower?
Control over the water temperature is the biggest benefit of a digital shower over an electric shower. A mixture of hot and cold water flows into the shower’s processing unit where it’s balanced to get the desired temperature.
This means you can be very precise about what temperature you want – 41 degrees Celsius is the most common factory setting, but this can be raised or lowered as required.
With most digital showers you can also control the flow of the water. Its ‘eco mode’ reduces the amount of water used to save you money on your household bills.
The other big plus with a digital shower is that you can completely avoid having hot or cold spikes in temperature, which is often the result of another tap being switched on or off in the household.
There are also built-in safety features to a digital electric shower, so if the water supply is cut off, the shower will automatically shut down.
Yet another useful feature of digital showers is that the shower controls are kept completely separate from the water in the valve, which means they always stay cool and remain safe to touch.
Digital showers also look fantastic, either with classic styling (you might call this a traditional digital shower) or alternatively ultra modern with touchscreen displays or colour-coded lighting systems that let you know the temperature of the water.
How does a digital shower work?
The shower works in a similar way to a mixer shower, but it controls the temperature using a digital thermostat known as a thermistor – a type of electrical resistor.
With the Burlington shower range, the thermistor checks the temperature ten times every second to ensure that the water temperature stays the same.
The precise control that a digital shower gives you over the temperature of the water is the biggest draw for people looking to upgrade their old traditional shower units.
You can even buy a digital shower with wireless or Bluetooth connectivity so you can position the control unit anywhere in the bathroom (or up to ten metres away). This gives you the option to switch it on and wait until the water reaches the perfect temperature before you get in the shower.
Shower technology has moved on considerably in the last twenty years, and some showers can now be controlled via a mobile phone. This kind of functionality is perfect for tech-savvy homeowners who are used to using smart controls to power their appliances.
Are digital showers easy to install?
The great thing about digital showers is that they are so easy to install.
You can use them with either a high or low water pressure system (i.e, mains pressure or a cold water tank). Although the low-pressure control unit tends to cost between 10 to 20 percent more.
The slightly higher cost of a digital shower is offset by cheaper installation costs, thanks to its relatively straightforward fittings. Most have push-fit isolation valves, a standard electrical plug, and easy-to-use cable connections.
You may not have to remove any tiles if the processor box can be hidden out of sight rather than being installed in the shower enclosure.
What’s more, the water flowing to the shower head and control unit can usually be connected via a riser rail rather than channeling pipes into the wall, which could damage the tiles.
How much do digital showers cost?
Digital showers are more expensive than electric showers, but in this case, you get what you pay for and there are a lot of benefits to having this type of shower.
If you are very thrifty you can buy an electric shower for under £50.
The starting point for a digital shower is around £250.
For a premium shower, you can expect to pay around £600. This includes:
- digital shower controls
- processor
- traditional trim kit
- slide rail
- vertical arm
- telephone handset and hose
Old Fashioned Bathrooms has a superb range of 1900s-style shower sets and components. You can browse the full range of shower accessories online, or visit our showroom in Mickfield, Suffolk.