Are Combi Boilers Best for Showers?

A combi boiler will deliver a consistent, high pressure, warm flow of water. Whether you already have a combi boiler or you are looking to upgrade your heating system, understanding how combi boilers work to power your shower is particularly important. 

In this blog post, Ideal Heating shares everything you need to know about combi boilers and how they run your property’s showers. 

Are Combi Boilers Good For Showers? 

Combi boilers are the most common type of boiler in new homes and are also becoming a popular upgrade when replacing heating and hot water systems in older properties too. A combi boiler features a boiler system with no water tanks or cylinders, designed to heat water when you need it. Are you unsure what a combi boiler is? Read here to find out everything you need to know about our Ideal Heating combi boilers.

When installing a combi boiler you will want to ensure that your current shower is compatible. If it is, you are guaranteed a high pressure, warm flow of water. If not, you may need to consider installing a new shower in order to ensure it is compatible and to get the best from your new combi boiler. 

Do Combi Boilers Give Good Shower Pressure? 

The biggest benefit of combi boilers is that they provide a high pressure water supply with a generous flow and pressure. These systems are highly efficient - providing both central heating and hot water - and eliminate the need for a water cylinder, saving you space while supplying water on demand. A combi boiler heats water directly from the mains and delivers it to your taps and showers at mains pressure. This means that combi boilers are great for powering your shower. 

If you are considering a combi boiler for showering but are unsure what the advantages of installing a combi boiler are, then read here for more information.

What Showers Can I Use With A Combi Boiler?

Combi boilers are good for a range of different shower models. From thermostatic mixer showers to digital and electric showers, combi boiler systems can provide sufficient hot water without you ever running out of water. 

Can you have a power mixer shower with a combi boiler? In short, no. Power showers operate with an in-built pump that makes them incompatible with combi boilers, as they need to be connected to a hot water cylinder. If you have low water pressure and are wanting a power shower, you will need to rethink your home's heating and hot water system. 

Combi boilers are compatible with a range of showers including electric and mixer models. Here's a brief introduction to showers compatible with your combi boiler: 

• Electric showers heat water instantly, pulling cold water from the mains and over an internal heating unit. The shower will be able to produce hot water regardless of whether the boiler is working or not. 

• Thermostatic mixer showers will use a thermostat to regulate the temperature, allowing you to set the level you want and then the thermostat will take care of the rest - giving a consistent flow.

Can A Combi Boiler Run Two Showers or More? 

A combi boiler heats water directly from the water mains to provide instant hot water, so it’s not recommended to use more than one shower at a time with a combi boiler. Sending water to multiple outlets at a time will weaken the pressure and could cause problems with your boiler, potentially even leading to boiler breakdown. 

To find out more about combi boiler sizes and which is most suitable for your home, check out our combi boiler size guide here.

A Combi Boiler Might Not Be Best For Simultaneous Showers 

Combi boilers have a relatively limited flow of hot water so a combi boiler may not be suitable for using more than one shower or hot water tap at a time. When you turn on a tap - including your shower - the central heating momentarily switches off. This is not usually noticeable, even if you run a bath for 10 minutes. However, if you were to turn two or more hot taps on at the same time you will notice a drop in temperature and pressure. 

If you have a large household and use a lot of hot water, you might find that having a large water tank is more suitable than a combi boiler as you’re more likely to frequently run more than one tap at once. If you heat a water cylinder up economically, it doesn’t necessarily have to cost you more to run. Hot water tanks with system boilers can be fitted with an immersion heater, which means if your boiler breaks you can still get hot water, whereas if a combi breaks, you'll have to use a kettle to heat your water. 

Are You Looking To Upgrade To a Combi Boiler? 

As combi boilers can be a great option for running a shower in a small property you may be looking to upgrade your old boiler to a new combi boiler. Read here to find out more on how you can upgrade your boiler.

If you are looking for a new combi boiler but don’t know which to choose, take a look at our easy-to-use Boiler Finder tool.