If you don’t already have a fan, you’ll need to get in a qualified builder to make the hole and install the wiring. Be aware that there are regulations governing where your fan can be located: if you want to put a fan in Zone 1 (the area within a shower or 2.25m above a bath) or Zone 2 (60cm from Zone 1), it must be a low-voltage SELV fan with a transformer, or an AC-powered model that’s IPX5-certified. Most of our recommendations below are intended for use outside of Zone 2, but the layout of your bathroom may dictate your options. RCDs are required for all circuits in locations that contain a bath or shower. The requirements for local supplementary bonding have been relaxed if certain conditions are met. 2014-05-04T11:20:01+01:00

Zone 0 for a shower room is the area inside the shower basin. If there is no shower basin, zone 0 is 10cm high from the finished floor level and extends to 1.2m around the fixed shower head. If you love an intense shower, nothing beats a high-pressure showerhead—and thanks to the AquaCare High Pressure 8-mode Handheld Shower Head, you don’t have to break the bank to get one. Through testing, we’ve confirmed that this showerhead offers high-end performance, with a 2.5 GPM flow rate and a wide variety of settings at a relatively low price point.

Blow off some steam, banish damp and wave goodbye to condensation with our favourite bathroom extractor fans for every budget

We’re really impressed with how the Chandler Combo Showerhead has held up after six months of at-home testing. The product has continued to perform as well as it did when we first got it. There have been no changes in performance or aesthetics. The water pressure is still wonderful, and the hardware is still sturdy. We love that the shower nozzles are made of rubber, which makes them very easy to clean. Additionally, the detachable shower head makes it simple to rinse off the sides of the shower and other nozzles during the cleaning process. We’ve found that using a daily shower spray helps with consistent upkeep of the showerhead. Extractor fans installed within zone 2 must be fitted with 12v SELV motors with the SELV transformers and isolators fitted outside of zone 0, 1 & 2. At the six-month mark, all features continue to work well with no leakage or changes in overall performance. The showerhead was still fairly clean at this point, but it had some mineral deposit residue that cleaned off easily after soaking the showerhead in vinegar.

When setting up the showerhead, we found that the installation instructions were clear. We also appreciated that the handheld wand was easy to detach and even came with an additional mount so you can place the showerhead at a different height if needed. This thoughtful feature is especially helpful for those living with kids or a roommate/partner with a height difference. The hose length was plenty long, too. Plus, the product features antimicrobial anti-clog nozzles to help keep the showerhead clean. In testing, we did notice slight leaks around the showerhead due to the plastic construction, but it was not majorly concerning to us. Three months in, the SparkPod Shower Head looks and functions as well as it did during our initial round of testing. The water pressure is still just as impressive, and because of the dark bronze color we opted to try, the minimal water spots that have appeared are barely noticeable. At this point, the nozzles don’t have much grime or clogs at all. Chris Fallon, general contractor and owner of Fallon Contracting, says that “installing a new showerhead after having an old one can actually make you feel like you have better water pressure.” Whether your old fixture is clogged with build-up or has faulty parts, upgrading your showerhead can result in a more enjoyable experience. And if you're looking to save money in the long run, a high-efficiency showerhead is a great way to reduce your water usage (and your water bill) each month. This really is an excellent extractor that uses just 2W of electricity when running continuously and no more than 5W at full pelt. It’s also one of the most attractive models around – the fascia can be used bare or with the included white magnetic cover – and one of the very quietest. After three months of long-term testing this showerhead, we’re happy to report that it has continued to deliver. The water pressure is just as good as the first day it arrived, and we loved being able to play with the settings and use the handheld showerhead. So far, there hasn’t been much buildup besides slight white mineral deposits on one of the nozzles.When you live somewhere with high water pressure, you want to know that you are getting the most out of your shower. After all, there isn’t much better than coming home from a long day at work and just spending some time standing under a powerful stream of hot water. Zone 2 for a shower room is the same height as zone 1 extended to 0.6m around the shower basin. If there is no shower basin zone 2 is replaced by zone 1 extended to 1.2m around the fixed shower head. Zone 1 for a bathroom is the same width as zone 0 (the width of the bath) extending to 2.25m above the finished floor level. The PureAir Sense comes with two spigots (or sleeves): one for standard 100mm installation and another for larger 125mm portals. The larger spigot is the one to fit if you want to benefit from its excellent 39l per second flow rate. That said, its standard 32l per second flow rate is still better than most and easily good enough for the majority of bathroom installations. Most domestic bathroom extractors attach to a 100mm hole in the outside wall. If you’re replacing a standard-sized extractor fan, this hole will already be present and you should be able to install the new one yourself. Before you remove the old fan, it’s a good idea to take a photo of its wiring for later reference – and make absolutely sure you shut off the mains power before you take the old one’s front housing off.

Most showers and shower heads use a standard half-inch pipe and fittings, so you can mix and match hoses and heads from different manufacturers. If you’re upgrading your head, however, think about whether you need to upgrade the hose at the same time: if it’s worn or leaking, it could be part of the problem. Can a new shower head help with low water pressure?

The best bathroom extractor fans you can buy in 2023

There are three main types of showerheads: fixed, handheld, and dual (a combination of fixed and handheld). Fixed showerheads are mounted to the wall, while handheld showerheads are connected to the wall via a flexible hose. Handheld or dual showerheads are particularly useful for pets, kids, and anyone with limited mobility. Either way, they all work to provide you with an excellent and relaxing experience. Finding the perfect model isn’t always an easy task, but it is one that we are here to lend you a hand with.