Gravity or mains fed shower?

Deckie · Mar 4, 2022

I’m replacing my faulty old mains fed electric shower (Mira Sport Max 10.8kW) and am considering going for a pumped, gravity fed electric shower (such as the Mira Elite SE Dual Pumped Electric Shower 9.8kW). The mains pressure sometimes drops enough for the low-flow cut-out to operate or the water is just too hot. In terms of flow rate, can anybody advise please weather it’s best to go for the pumped gravity shower or stick with the mains fed shower (probably another Mira Sport Max 10.8kW)? I would imagine the pumped shower won’t be as good as a proper pumped power shower, some reviews say that the pump in the Mira Elite SE isn’t really powerful enough. Is that true?

Maryplumb · Mar 5, 2022

Sorry no knowledge of Elite SE and its pump but it is designed to be fitted to a dedicated cold pipe from a storage cistern (tank), so you would have to disconnect the existing pipe from the main, empty and drill your tank and connect the new pipe. It can't be connected to an existing cold pipe from the tank either because turning on a tap could rob it of water. https://resources.kohler.com/plumbing/mira/pdf/1383572-w2-c-mira-elite-se-installation-manual.pdf
Maybe you've planned for that?

Deckie · Mar 6, 2022

Thanks Maryplumb, I didn’t know it had to have a separate feed from the tank, something else to consider.

PHNorthWest · Aug 4, 2025

I had a Mira Elite ST 10.8kW for about 10 years with no problems other than a bit of a noisy pump motor towards the end. I replaced it with a Mira Elite SE 10.8kW when it was too noisy; the new one was much quieter and has been running for about 8 years with no trouble other than occasional mould on the shower head, easily removed with bleach. The shower is fed from a cistern in the loft almost directly above it, about a metre offset; the cistern is supplied directly from the mains and there is nothing other than the shower connected to it. I also made sure the power came from its own 10 sq mm cable with no breaks other than the Crabtree pull cord shower switch. I've noticed that the cistern must get warm in the summer, meaning we have to reduce the temperature setting in Spring and eventually use the eco setting and still have a good hot shower with good flow. I can shower without the temperature changing if a tap is run or toilet flushed, these disturbances to the water system have no effect on the shower.