Replacing an Electric Shower — What to Expect
Check the steps below first — if you're not confident, get it fixed safely today.
Post a job — we'll find you an engineer →Electric shower replacement must be done by a qualified Part P registered electrician or plumber/electrician. It involves working on a high-current circuit (typically 9.5–10.5kW). Do not attempt this yourself unless you are a qualified electrician.
An electric shower replacement is one of the most common bathroom jobs in UK homes. The good news is that it is straightforward for a qualified electrician or plumber-electrician, and most units can be swapped in 2–3 hours if the existing wiring and water supply are already in place.
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Before buying a replacement, note the kW rating of your existing shower (printed on the front of the unit, e.g. 8.5kW, 9.5kW, 10.5kW) and the cable size feeding it. Like-for-like replacement (same kW on the same cable) is simplest and cheapest. Upgrading to a higher kW needs a new larger cable, which significantly increases cost.
Measure the existing shower unit and hose/head position — many installers choose a replacement of the same brand (e.g. Triton, Mira, Aqualisa) to reuse the existing hose entry holes and fixing points.
Check whether the existing circuit protection at the consumer unit is correct for the shower. A 9.5kW shower on a 6mm cable needs a 40A MCB; a 10.5kW needs a 45A MCB and 10mm cable. An electrician can advise.
Turn off the electricity at the consumer unit (identify the shower circuit breaker and switch it off — lock it off if possible) and turn off the cold water supply to the shower.
A qualified electrician will: remove the old unit, check the incoming cable connections, fit the new unit using the existing connections, and test the circuit with an installation tester.
New electric shower units cost £80–250 for Triton/Mira entry to mid-range models; £200–400 for Aqualisa or premium brands. Labour is typically £80–150 for a like-for-like swap.
After replacement, the electrician must issue a Minor Works Certificate (or Building Regulations Completion Certificate) as evidence the work has been done to BS 7671 standards.
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