How to Choose a Home Steam Shower Generator

Adding a steam generator to your home shower is a great way to transform your bathroom into a home spa that can dramatically improve your health and well-being. A steam shower can be an excellent way to relieve muscle tension and aches, and help you relax and unwind after a long day making it a valuable addition to your self-care routine. The moist heat from a steam generator can also provide numerous health benefits, such as improved cardiovascular circulation, improved blood flow, respiratory function, and skin rejuvenation.

In this article, we will step you through you how to choose a steam generator for your shower and explain the different types and sizes available and help you evaluate important features and other things to consider. Whether you're looking for a compact unit for a small shower or a high-output generator for a larger steam shower, we'll help you navigate the options to find the perfect fit for your home.

Determining the Right Size Steam Generator

One of the most important factors in choosing a steam generator is the size of your steam shower enclosure. The generator's capacity must be able to accommodate the volume of space inside the shower to effectively fill it with steam. Installing a generator that is too small for your shower size will result in insufficient steam production, while an oversized unit may waste energy and resources.

To accurately determine the size of steam generator you need, simply measure the width, depth and height of your shower to determine the cubic square footage. For example, a shower that is 4 foot wide by 4 foot deep and 8 foot tall would be 128 cubic feet in size (4ft x 4ftx 8ft). Most steam generator manufacturers provide specifications for the size of steam generator you need based on the amount of cubic footage inside your shower, so once you know the total cubic footage you can easily reference the size of the steam generator you need.

The size of the steam generator is measured in kilowatts (kW). The kilowatts (kW) determine the speed and efficiency at which the steam unit can generate steam. High powered steam generators can heat cold water and produce steam more quickly thereby maintaining a consistent temperature and providing a more stable and enjoyable experience. Using an oversized steam generator, however, will waste power and not be energy efficient. Steam generators primarily run on 240V of power output (much like a dryer) so you will need to make sure your home's electrical panel can accommodate the additional power requirement to ensure safe and efficient operation.

The type of material used to construct your shower should also be taken into consideration when choosing a steam generator. Materials like ceramic and porcelain tile have more thermal resistance than a standard glass or acrylic shower enclosure so they will retain the heat from the steam more efficiently. Adding another 10-20% of square footage overage for acrylic or glass- based showers is recommended to accommodate for any additional heat loss that may occur with non-tiled showers.

As a general guide, a shower size of up to 100 cubic feet will typically require a 3kW to 6kW steam generator. For larger steam shower enclosures up to 300 cubic feet, we recommend a generator with a capacity of 8-12 kW. Again, using the manufacturers specification sheet will help you determine the ultimate size of generator that you will need.

You should also consider the materials and construction quality of the steam shower generator. Look for steam generators made with durable, corrosion-resistant components like stainless steel or aluminum that can withstand the humid environment of a steam shower. The generator's insulation and seals should also be designed to prevent heat loss and maintain the desired temperature and steam output. Investing in a durable, high-quality generator can ensure long-lasting performance and reliability.

Steam generators have come a long way in the past 10 years. Models that simply provided on/off functionality now have multiple temperature control settings for different users, aromatherapy infusion options, chromatherapy options and even the ability to turn your steam generator on remotely with a smart phone app. While these features may sound intriguing they may add significant costs and complexity to the installation so it’s important to make sure you understand the benefits and drawbacks to these add-on features.  

Top Brands of Home Steam Generators

There are several top-quality brands of steam generators that have gained popularity among homeowners and contractors based on their durability, warranty, ease of installation and availability of parts.

One of the leading brands in the steam shower generator industry is Mr. Steam, which has been around since 1929. Mr. Steam generators are known for their advanced technology, accurate temperature control and user-friendly features. They offer a large range of models to accommodate both residential and commercial applications. Mr. Steam has a very user-friendly website that allows you to build your own steam room with the help of their sizing calculator. https://virtualspa.mrsteam.com/catalog

Steamist is another well-known steam generator brand which has been recognized for high-quality, reliable, and innovative products. Steamist is now owned by Delta and offers a wide range of models to suit various steam shower sizes and needs. Steamist generators are known for their energy efficiency, user-friendly keypad controls, and durable construction. https://steamist.com/

Other popular steam generator brands include Thermasol and Americ. There are also steam shower enclosure brands like Mesa and Platinum that offer pre-plumbed steam shower kits with steam generators built in. Each of these manufacturers offers a variety of models with unique features and capabilities that cater to different requirements. It's important to research and compare the features, warranty coverage, and customer reviews of the steam generator brand you choose to best fit for your home steam shower needs.

For more information on steam generators or steam showers pre-equipped with steam generators please visit https://steamshowers4less.com/steam-showers