John McGaw wrote:
BryanL wrote:
I'm planning to purchase a steam shower for my master bathoom and have
been doing some serious research, but I'm still hesitating between a
110V unit and 220V unit. The 110V is certainly more convenient, but
it's not ETL or UL certified. THe 220V is ETL certified but I heard
that it's very costly to run. What shall i do?


The cost to run the devices depends on how much power they use, not what
voltage they run on so Watts is the value to compare. And don't forget
that the efficiency of the device in turning water into steam will make
a huge difference in how you will use and enjoy using it - a unit which
uses little power can, by definition, make less steam (assuming that
they are both designed for optimum performance). The power does not
depend on the voltage -- you can develop 3000W from either voltage, it
just becomes less practical to obtain higher power from the low voltage
source with 3600W being the practical upper limit. Will you enjoy a
"steam shower" as much if you need to turn it on an hour before using it
and find that it never gets more than tepid inside? An underpowered unit
could well do that for you.

Personally, I'd go for something in the high-power end of the range
whether it be 120V or 240V since it is not likely that it will be used
all that many hours a month. Find out exactly how much your utility
charges for power. Then do the math for various power levels and you
will know how much every minute will cost you and you can then make a
rational decision.

The other advantage to going with the 240V unit is that, assuming it's
rated more or less the same kW as the 120V unit, it will draw less
current, and you can use smaller-gauge wire (code permitting, of
course), which will be less expensive. Copper wire ain't cheap these days.

Yours aye,
W. Underhill

--
"Take sides! Always take sides! You may sometimes be wrong - but the man
who refuses to take sides must *always* be wrong! Heaven save us from
poltroons who fear to make a choice!" R.A. Heinlein, "Double Star"