Steam generator for a shower cabin: types, principle of operation + recommendations for selection and installation

Peculiarities

A shower room with a steam generator is a design equipped with a special system for generating steam. Thanks to this, during hygiene procedures, the atmosphere of a steam room is recreated.

Cabins with a steam generator must be closed, that is, have a dome, rear and side panels of the structure. Otherwise, steam will come out of the shower, filling the bathroom. As a rule, a device for generating steam is not included in the shower cabin. It can be installed near the structure, but the best solution is to take it outside the bathroom. The steam generator can also be connected to an existing enclosed cabin.

Thanks to a special control system, it is possible to recreate the necessary indicators of temperature and humidity.The maximum heating of the steam is no more than 60 ° C, which eliminates the risk of burns.

Depending on the equipment, the cabin can also be equipped with hydromassage, aromatherapy and many other functions, which give users additional comfort.

This is interesting: Bathroom in the style of "minimalism" - features of the choice of furniture, plumbing and accessories

Installation

In order to install the steam generator with your own hands, you will need to use the following materials and tools:

• dowels;
• self-tapping screws;
• steam generator and instructions for it;
• drill with various drills;
• half inch copper pipe;
• half inch steel flexible hose;
• half-inch drain pipe;
• wrench.

First, decide where the steam generator will stand. Indeed, for such a device, any dry room near the bathroom is suitable, but not more than 10-15 meters from it. You can use, for example, a pantry for these purposes, having previously brought to it the elements necessary for the operation of the steam generator: electricity, water supply and others. If you do not have the necessary knowledge, then hire qualified specialists for these purposes, they will do the work correctly and competently so that you do not have unforeseen adverse consequences that will entail unforeseen costs. Depending on the model of the steam generator, you can install it both on the floor and on the wall.

As a rule, the steam generator is installed at a distance of at least 50 centimeters from the floor and walls. In this case, the device will have to be placed on a slope towards the bathroom to help drain the condensate.The place for entering the elements of the steam generator into the bathroom should be located in such a way as to exclude its contact with the steam pipeline. For this, places in the lower part of the room are used to prevent hot steam from coming into direct contact with your skin.

This kind of shower enclosure must be installed in a dry place.

In order to comply with the rules for the safe installation of the steam generator and ensure its normal functioning, the device must be installed in a dry room where there is normal ventilation. In addition, the minimum dimensions of the room must be at least 0.25 square meters. If you are mounting a wall model, then you will have to drill several basic holes in the wall, into which dowels are driven in and self-tapping screws are screwed. Now you can hang the steam generator on the protruding part of the screws. If you have a floorstanding version of the steam generator, then it will be quite enough to find a suitable place for it to put it there. You can proceed to plumbing work to connect the device.

In the device of the steam generator itself there are special pipes for drain, steam and water intake, which are located to the left of the device. If this is necessary, then you can always change the position of the outer elongated box so that the pipes are located on the right side of the steam generator. Connect the water inlet ball valve to the water supply pipe with a metal flexible hose. And to connect the steam line to the device, use a copper half-inch tube. Connect the steam generator to the sewerage system using a plastic pipe. You can proceed to connecting electricity to the device.

Before starting the steam generator for the first time, fill the water supply pipes with liquid and make sure that the voltage is also connected. Start up the device. The solenoid valve should automatically turn on to supply water to the steam generator tank. After four minutes, steam production should begin. When it begins to flow into the shower, turn off the steam generator. Switch on the appliance again to let the steam come out. If during this period everything goes as written in the instructions, then the steam generator is installed correctly and everything works fine. And in order for the steam generator to serve you as long as possible, do not forget to drain the remaining water from it and periodically clean it from scale.

In conclusion, I would like to say that one of the necessary conditions for installing a steam generator is to ensure the tightness of the shower cabin, as well as forced air convection. To achieve this, you will have to install an airtight hood on the shower roof, if it is not available in the basic model, and additionally build a couple of fans into the box. You do not need to create a draft in the cabin at all, a couple of 12V fans will be enough, which, for example, are used to cool the system of blocks of floor computers.

It is also important to ensure the tightness of the shower cabin.

Design

Any steam generator includes a control unit and a housing that contains a water tank, a pump and the water heating element itself. With such an abundance of elements filling it, the housing of a household steam generator does not take up much space, unlike its industrial counterparts. Outside there are taps for input and output of water. The control unit helps to change the temperature regime, control the flow of water and steam.

Kinds

There is an opportunity to make a similarity of a sauna out of a shower. Moreover, the cost looks much more interesting than that of a finished cabin with such a gadget built in. You just need to purchase a steam generator with the smallest list of functions. Now units are being manufactured that differ in the way they heat water and produce steam.

• Electrode steam generators. Water is heated with electrodes. When current is passed, water is converted into steam. Scale does not appear on the electrodes, in connection with this they do not burn out. Undoubtedly, a big plus is that the price tag for them is the lowest among steam generators.
• Tenovye steam generators. They produce steam with special heating elements. Such generators can run on distilled water, which allows the remaining condensate to be used in a new circle. But this advantage is covered by a number of disadvantages - the complexity of the design and, as a result, a higher price.
• Induction steam generators. As the name implies, heating is due to electromagnetic induction. Their great advantage is that they do not have consumables, such as electrodes or heating elements.

Selection Tips

Steam generators are mostly powered by electricity. Their main difference will be only the method of converting water into steam.

Before making a choice, first, look at the amount of energy it consumes. Secondly, for its power

It is also important to pay attention to its functions.

A very important characteristic will be the water pressure in the water supply. The higher this figure, the higher the volume of steam that will be supplied

Normal pressure is from 2 to 10 atm.
Of particular importance is the material from which the body of the steam generator is made. It is preferable if it is stainless steel. Because it is not afraid of corrosion and it is very durable. Although heavy.
The higher the power, the faster the water will heat up, but the higher the electricity consumption will be.

Neither plastic nor aluminum can compete with stainless steel, since the former can not cope with high temperatures and release toxic substances, and aluminum can oxidize and deform.

A steam generator that is too powerful can be financially unprofitable. Experts recommend selecting power from 1.5 to 6 kW.

Connection diagram and installation

It should be noted right away that experts do not recommend installing a steam generator directly next to the cabin. It is located separately, and only a pipe for supplying steam is brought to the cabin.

But the maximum distance from the shower room to the installation site of the generator is 10 meters! If mounted on a wall, then the height is at least 0.5 meters. If the device is placed on the wall, then it is mounted on self-tapping screws.

Then, using a metal hose, connect the ball valve to the water supply. The steam pipeline is connected to the generator using a copper pipe. And already with a plastic tube we make a connection with the sewer.

Only upon completion of these manipulations is electricity supplied to the generator.

Control

The control unit communicates with the steam generator. Turning on, off, setting the operating mode - all these functions are set from the control panel. Professionals advise placing it next to the generator.

The temperature regime is changed by the regulator.This operation can be performed both before turning on the device and during operation.

Installation and configuration completed successfully. This is evidenced by the appearance of steam when turned on and vice versa after turning off the steam disappears. Now you can enjoy a bath right in the shower. Easy steam for you!

After the temperature is set and the generator has automatically filled with water for a few minutes, you can wait for the steam to start.

Types of steam rooms: Turkish bath or hammam, Finnish, infrared

• With steam generator (Russian steam bath). Heating up to 60 °C. A special system is used that recreates the optimal indicators of air humidity and temperature.
• With a hammam function (with the effect of a Turkish bath). Saunas, which are equipped with a hammam, have small structures, with a side length of 80 - 90 cm. They have very high humidity, which reaches 100% and warms up to an average temperature of 40 - 55 ° C.
• With Finnish sauna. It is characterized by drier air and temperatures in the region of 60 - 65 ° C. Such a steam room is suitable for those who cannot tolerate too humid air and enjoy especially high temperatures.

Photo 1. Corner shower cabin Golf A-901A R with a hydromassage function and a Finnish sauna room.

Additional functions

1. Boxes with a hydromassage function have a large number of nozzles, which are located at different levels and with different water pressures.
2. Rain shower mode: Uses specific nozzles to produce drops that resemble rain. In this case, a person receives maximum relaxation.
3. The presence of a seat. A seat that should be comfortable in size will help you really relax in the sauna.A convenient option for such cabins are reclining seats, which can be removed if necessary.
4. Infrared sauna. With infrared radiation, only the human body warms up, while the air does not heat up. For this type of sauna, special lamps are used, which are installed in the cabin.

Advantages and disadvantages of a shower cabin with a steam generator

Naturally, such a device has many advantages in use.

1. Having a shower room with a steam generator, you, in fact, are the owner of a miniature sauna at home.
2. For those who like to take a steam bath, this is generally an indispensable thing, since you are given the opportunity to independently regulate the temperature and steam indicators. Using this function, you can achieve not only the effect of a Russian bath, a Finnish sauna, but also a Turkish hammam.
3. Of course, everyone knows that a steam bath is very beneficial for health. It has a beneficial effect on the circulatory system and serves as an excellent prevention of diseases of the upper respiratory tract. Also in the booth there is a special container where you can put dried herbs, or add essential oils and carry out whole sessions of aromatherapy.

Not without cons:

• rather high safety requirements are imposed directly on the steam generator;
• the cost of the steam generator itself is quite high, so showers equipped with this device are not affordable for everyone;
• expensive maintenance.

After evaluating the pros and cons, everyone can make their choice.In conclusion, I would like to say that by installing a steam generator for a shower cabin, you will be able to fully experience relaxation, bliss, as if having been in a SPA complex.

3 Preparatory work

The purchase of a separate steam generator (rather than built-in with a cabin) will significantly save money, and in addition, it will make it possible to choose a quality device. Therefore, they stop at the separate option.

However, there are a number of requirements that must be met before starting the installation of a separate steam generator. First, it is necessary to seal the cabin and install an additional fan for air circulation and even distribution of steam. 2-3 low-current (12 V) fans are installed in the cap

It is important to manage them in the booth

Installation of a separate steam generator in the shower

Next, you should conduct the wiring for the outlet under the steam generator in the bathroom (if it is not there). This must be done in accordance with the PUE. If this is not possible, then it is permissible to install the steam generator in another room, and then lead the steam pipe to the shower room. In this case, the length of the tube should be small, and the tube itself should be insulated to prevent rapid cooling of the steam.

The principle of operation of the "sauna and bath" function

When this function is started, the water supply valve opens. A specially built-in sensor monitors the liquid level all the time. When the water reaches a certain level, the valve is automatically blocked. In the event that the water turned out to be less than the required volume, the valve opens again.

After that, the heating element is connected to the work. His job is to bring the water almost to a boil and heat the installation to a predetermined temperature.Then it turns off automatically. The water level is constantly monitored, since during the operation of the heating element it can boil and evaporate. As a result, the system valve opens again, and the water level is brought to the required mark.

Control is carried out using the installed control panel. The temperature can be set both before turning on the device and after. Adjustment is carried out using the regulator. The main indicator of the correct installation and configuration of the device is the presence of steam when turned on, and its absence when turned off. So, having set the temperature, the generator automatically starts filling with water, and after a couple of minutes steam is supplied.

How to choose a shower steam generator

When buying a device, you should decide which equipment is better to buy: separate or built-in.

Shower cubicles with built-in equipment

In this case, the nozzles are installed at the factory. They are connected to the steam generator with flexible tubes. Built-in devices function in the same way as stand-alone devices. However, for the first option, the manufacturer provides for fastenings on the cabin body in advance.

There are showers with built-in equipment.

Individual steam generators

When choosing such a device, consider:

1. Tank capacity. The performance of the generator depends on it. For home use, a 3-liter volume is enough. This is enough to fill the cabin space of standard dimensions.
2. steam temperature. This parameter is 40…60 °С. For maximum space heating, devices with the highest temperature are chosen.
3. Productivity, which can be 2-4 kg per hour. The higher this parameter, the faster the space is filled with steam.
4. Mounting method.Floor standing or wall mounted steam generators are available. The second option does not take up usable space.
5. Control method. It can be local or remote. It is recommended to choose models with a remote control. So you can control the operation of the device during bath procedures.

The choice of household steam generating equipment

Steaming with a broom in a shower with a steam generator is unlikely to succeed. The temperature of the steam is not the one to get the desired effect. It is not in vain that the equipment in question is usually compared with the Turkish traditional bath, in which the temperature regime is softer than in the Russian one.

It cannot be equated with a Finnish sauna, where the air is dry and the temperature is high. Before you go to choose a steam generator for a shower, you must clearly imagine what will be obtained as a result of its operation. Russian bath with a broom is completely different.

The temperature in a shower cabin with a household steam generator usually does not exceed 60 C, while the humidity in it reaches one hundred percent

Steam at 45-65C in the enclosed space of the shower box is a great way to relax. Such a temperature does not affect the human body as aggressively as in the case of a sauna or a Russian bath. And the benefits for humans are about the same.

>There are three types of steam generators according to the type of heating element:

1. With TEN.
2. Induction.
3. Electrode.

All of them run on electricity. In an induction device, water is heated to a state of steam due to electromagnetic induction, and in an electrode device, by passing current through special electrodes. However, household models of steam generators in the vast majority of cases are equipped with a heating element. This is the cheapest equipment for heating water.

A heating element in a steam generator is an ordinary tubular heater that brings the liquid in the tank to a boil, thereby creating steam.

There are five main criteria for choosing a bathroom steamer:

1. The power of the device.
2. Temperature parameters of the steam at the outlet.
3. The performance of the steam generating plant.
4. The volume of the tank with boiling water.
5. The presence of automation and external control.

>The power of a household steam generator varies from 1 to 22 kW. Conventionally, about one kilowatt is required per cubic meter of a shower cabin. But if you plan to install a steam generator to organize a steam room in the room, then 10 kW is enough for a room of 13–15 cubic meters. Just wait for the air to warm up in this case will take a little longer. The small walled space of the shower cabin heats up much faster.

Some models are designed for a steam temperature of only 55 or 60C, only up to these parameters they are able to heat the air in the shower. Structurally, the latter is not airtight, the steam from the box still gradually goes into the bathroom and ventilation. It is difficult to overheat in such a shower cabin. Moreover, when the temperature inside rises to a certain threshold, the sensor is triggered, as a result of which the generator simply turns off.

>The volume of the tank can reach up to 27-30 liters. But such models are bulky and are intended for indoor steam rooms. For a shower stall, it is better to choose an option for 3-7 liters. This volume is quite enough for “gatherings” for an hour, and more is not needed. Productivity varies within 2.5–8 kg/h.The higher it is, the faster the steam will fill the box.> The steam generator is controlled by means of buttons on the case or using a remote control. More convenient, of course, is the second option.

To extend the life of the device in question, steam generating equipment should be selected with an overheating sensor and a cleaning system. The first will prevent the failure of the heating element, and the second will automatically remove scale from the tank. But we must clearly understand that with water supersaturated with lime, not a single auto-cleaning will help. Only appropriate filters can help here.

Shower cabins with built-in steamer

In plumbing stores, steam generators are found separately from shower cabins and as a built-in additional option. In the first case, steam is supplied inside the box through a separate hose. The second option implies that the nozzles are already installed on the cabin body, and you only need to connect them to the generator with the appropriate tubes.

The built-in steam generator according to the principle of operation and design is indistinguishable from an external analogue, just for the first one, the manufacturer has provided fasteners on the body of the shower cabin in advance

Typically, the steam generator comes with a host of other additional features. These are internal fans, and aromatherapy, and a tropical shower, and “dry heating” (as in a Finnish sauna). The range of shower cabins is now huge, each manufacturer strives to stand out in the market in some way. But the more all these additions, the more expensive the cabin is for the buyer.

Cabin price

The cost of a shower cabin with a steam generator, as noted earlier, is much higher than for conventional models. The budget version of Chinese production does not cost less than 35 thousand rubles.For comparison, a cabin from a German manufacturer with the same functions will cost at least 270 thousand rubles, a Finnish-made one - at least 158 ​​thousand rubles.

Table 2. Average cost of shower cabins with a steam generator.

Model	Height/length/width, cm	Options and equipment	Average cost as of March 2019, rubles
Koy K015	215/145/90	forced ventilation; touch control; mirror, lighting, two seats; hinged doors; aluminum profile; tropical shower; infrared sauna; chromotherapy; Turkish sauna; radio.	232 650
Koy K011	215/100/100	forced ventilation; touch control; mirror, lighting, seat, shelves; hinged doors; aluminum profile; tropical shower; infrared sauna; chromotherapy; Turkish sauna; radio.	174 488
Koy K055	215/145/90	forced ventilation; touch control; mirror, lighting, two seats, shelves; hinged doors; aluminum profile; tropical shower; infrared sauna; chromotherapy; Turkish sauna; radio.	220 275
Koy K075	215/100/100	forced ventilation; touch control; mirror, lighting, one seat; hinged doors; aluminum profile; tropical shower; infrared sauna; chromotherapy; Turkish sauna; radio.	174 260
Luxus 532S	225/175/90	bathroom; hydromassage; touch control; Turkish sauna; radio.	143 000
Elegansa Weser	216/95/95	electronic control; tropical shower; ventilation; lighting, shelves; hinged doors; hydromassage; Turkish sauna; radio.	96 400
Orans SN-99100 RS	220/180/130	touch control; sliding doors; infrared sauna; shelves, seat; tropical shower; ventilation; anti-slip coating; chromotherapy.	647 500

Selection Tips

The procedure for choosing a shower cabin with a steam generator should be divided into two components:

• selection of optimal characteristics of the steam generator;
• the choice of the cabin itself.

Depending on the principle of water heating incorporated in the design, steam generators are divided into three groups:

1. Electrode: in them, heating elements - electrodes - are placed in a tank of water.
2. Heating elements: more often in such designs, “dry” heating elements are used, located outside the water tank.
3. Induction: in this case, high-frequency emitters serve as heating elements. They transfer their energy directly to the walls of the tank, from which the water is then heated.

Shower cabin with steam B502 SSWW

Electrode steam generators are used in inexpensive cabins. But electrodes often fail due to scale accumulating on their surface. However, the procedure for replacing them is simple.

Heating elements are more expensive than electrodes, especially for "dry" heaters. But, since they do not come into contact with water, they have a long service life.

Induction steam generators are the most expensive. How reliable they are depends on the quality of the electronics installed in the device. Many manufacturers, in an effort to reduce the cost of products, use Chinese-made components, which negatively affects the durability of the steam generator.

The power also affects the cost - the higher it is, the more expensive the steam generating device will cost. An important role is also played by its productivity, which varies between 2.5-8 kg / h. These parameters will affect the rate of steam supply to the working area.

About the cabin

Fences can be made of plastic - such a product is inexpensive, but experts recommend paying attention to tempered glass.It withstands high temperatures without losing its shape and does not emit harmful substances.