A rain shower looks great, but its wide head spreads the water out, so it can feel weak when your water pressure is low. The answer is an instant water heater with a built-in booster pump. Here is how they work and which 707 and Champs models to consider.
Signs your water pressure is low
- The shower is a weak trickle, especially from a large rain shower head
- Your instant heater does not switch on, or cuts out when another tap is opened
- Hot water turns lukewarm or uneven during the shower
Instant heaters have a flow switch that only turns on the heating once enough water is flowing, typically 2 to 3 litres a minute. When the pressure is too low, the heater may not reach that flow, so the water stays cold. Homes on the top floors of a block, close to the rooftop water tank, are more likely to have weak pressure.
Before replacing anything, it is worth checking for simpler causes: a shower head clogged with limescale, or a valve that is not fully open, can also make the flow weak.
How a booster pump helps
A booster pump built into the water heater increases the flow of water to the shower head. That gives a fuller rain shower and helps the heater run steadily, without installing a separate pump on your pipes.
Rain shower heaters with booster pumps
| Model | Booster pump | Lowest inlet pressure (official spec) |
|---|---|---|
| Champs Vesta | DC booster pump, matte black rain shower set | 0.02 MPa |
| 707 Kingston | Inverter DC booster pump, HydroSpa Ace rain shower set, stepless power selector | 0.1 MPa |
| Champs Legend | DC booster pump, rain shower set, 4-tick rated | 0.1 MPa |
| Champs Auriga Ultra | DC booster pump, rain shower set | 0.1 MPa |
| Champs Virgo Ultra | DC booster pump, rain shower set | 0.1 MPa |
All five are 3.3kW instant heaters with a recommended water flow of 4 to 6 litres a minute. Specifications are from the manufacturers.
Which one should you choose?
- Very weak pressure: the Champs Vesta is rated to work from the lowest inlet pressure of these models.
- Precise temperature control: the 707 Kingston has a stepless power selector, so you can fine-tune the warmth.
- Energy efficiency: the Champs Legend is rated 4 ticks.
- Several people showering one after another: consider a storage heater with a rain shower set instead, as it delivers a steady flow from its tank.
For help with everything else, from bathroom count to space, read our guide to choosing a water heater for your HDB flat or condo.
Get the right heater installed
When you call, tell us your floor level and how strong your current shower is. We will recommend a model that suits your water pressure and install it for you.