DO you get out of bed and stand, freezing under a drip of a shower? If the answer is yes, then it’s time to think about installing a new shower. And it doesn't have to cost the earth, with a wide variety of showers available to suit every taste and pocket.

There are three main types of shower – electric, mixer and power.

Electric

The great thing about electric showers is that you’ll have hot water on demand day and night – ideal for households where the shower is in constant use! Electric showers draw water directly from a cold water supply and heat it as it is used, so you don’t need to have a stored hot water supply. Best of all, electric showers can be installed virtually anywhere in your home. All you’ll need is a suitable connection to an electrical power supply. If you are looking to do more major renovations you could think about turning the corner of a bedroom into an en-suite.

If you are an experienced DIYer with electrical and plumbing skills, you can install your electric shower.

If not, you should get a qualified electrician to install the unit for you.

Make sure the shower is wired in accordance with the Institution of Electrical Engineers (IEE) and always use a qualified electrician to make the final connections.

Mixer

If your house has the conventional hot and cold water tanks or a combi boiler, a mixer shower will be ideal for you. This shower works by mixing your hot and cold water to the desired temperature and is ideal for homes with an ample supply of hot water. They are easy to install as they require no electrical connections. You can choose between a manual mixer, where you adjust the hot and cold taps accordingly to get the right temperature, or a thermostatic mixer, which maintains an even water temperature.

Power

If you are looking for an invigorating experience in the shower every morning the popular power shower is your best bet.

Although the water is taken from the same source as mixer showers, the power of the water flow is boosted by a built-in electric pump.

Many people think power showers are really expensive but there are options available for those with a smaller budget.

It is important to remember power showers cannot be used with combi boilers or other highpressure water systems and to ensure the shower is safe, it must conform to the BS3456 Standard.