Thankfully, there are many adaptation options available nowadays. But with plenty of choices, it’s difficult to know which adaptation is most suitable! One such option is the choice between electric or valve showers. 

Very often, the choice comes down to cost. Adaptations can be expensive, and at The John Ford Group, we know this can be a setback to customising a home to suit needs. Is there a cost-effective option for an accessible shower?

Read on to see which offers the best value and best efficiency, electric or valve showers…

What Are Valve Showers & How Do They Work?

Valve showers, also called thermostatic showers, store water at a pre-set temperature. Hot and cold water is fed into the tank; the hot water is stored at a high temperature and then mixed with the cold water in a valve – hence the name.

As well as mixing the water together to reach the temperature selected, the valve also instantly reacts to changes in temperature. So if the water temperature in the valve shifts for any reason, the valve reacts quickly to bring it back to the desired temperature.

This all sounds very accommodating, but is it cost-effective? 

Sadly, no. 

Constantly heating stored water is expensive. Maintaining that temperature adds to the cost. It also means that you could be paying for something you don’t use, as the water is kept at a set temperature whether it’s used or not.

What About Electric Showers?

Electric showers on the other hand, only heat the water you use. The water is heated as it comes through the shower. Unlike valve showers, electric showers have their own heating element.

The box that’s characteristically fitted alongside showerheads to bathroom walls, is the home of the helpful heating component. Therefore, an electric shower only needs a cold water supply. 

This is excellent news for cost and usage. There’s no need to pay for heating water that sits in a valve and may not be used. 

Plus, when taps are used in other parts of the house while the shower is running, the shower water temperature remains the same, unlike valve showers. No more shocking cold water shower moments!

Does The Type Of Shower Change The Accessibility?

Importantly, we need to consider if there’s a difference in accessibility when it comes to comparing valve showers with electric showers. Is one better than the other for access and ease of use?

In short, no, there is no difference in how accessible or available they are. 

The main difference is how they heat the water for a hot shower. We could say there is a difference in usability rather than accessibility.

If you’re looking for a shower that best suits access needs, there’s little to compare between them. 

But usability? Electric showers are more efficient and economical.

Rising energy prices are no doubt of concern and something that’s part of the decision for the best shower choice. With this in mind, there is a clear winner when comparing electric with valve showers.

Energy Efficiency Is Crucial

A large part of your decision when choosing the best shower for an accessible bathroom is how efficient it is.

We know that making alterations and adaptations is expensive. On top of that, energy prices in the UK are skyrocketing this autumn and winter, so keeping prices low is essential.

Electric showers certainly trump valve showers when it comes to efficiency and economy. They only heat the water you use, saving money on electricity and water usage. 

Although any adaptation may be a large outlay if long-term running costs can be kept minimal, future savings can be made.

Another consideration you might not know about is temporary showers. For more on that topic, take a look at our recent post, Temporary Shower Pods & Toilet Pods: How Can They Help? 

Save Money Where You Can 

When choosing the best type of shower for an accessible bathroom, there are many things to consider. From the space available to how user-friendly it is and from installation to the price. It’s also important to take into account running costs.

There is little, if any, difference between the accessibility of electric vs. valve showers. However, there is a significant difference in their efficiency.

Electric showers are far superior to valve showers regarding how much they cost to use. Electric showers can heat water to the desired temperature on the spot thanks to an inbuilt heating element.

Valve showers, however, require constant heating of the stored water, whether it’s used or not, making the price to operate them significantly higher.

We recommend efficient, money-saving electric showers if you’re weighing up the best shower options for a new accessible bathroom.

Would you like further help choosing the best adaptations? Give our experienced and caring John a call today.