* Annual estimated savings based on data collected.
Project summary
In partnership with GLL Ltd, Engie and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Kelda Showers was selected to assess the water and energy-saving potential of their innovative Air-Powered™ shower technology at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. A trial was agreed with the decision to install five of Kelda Air-Powered™ showers in the pre-cleanse shower area before entering the Training Pool and monitor shower usage and water consumption.
The current showers were audited and found to be operating at a flow rate of 8.3 l/min. Kelda’s water-efficient shower panels were set to 5 l/min to ensure 40% water savings without compromising on shower experience.
Our approach
Kelda Technology is the pioneer of innovative water-saving showers. With superior power to a traditional shower, Kelda’s Air-Powered showers satisfy expectations of both high performance, efficiency and environmental integrity. By applying innovative technology Kelda is able to offer a shower solution that for the first time can help significantly reduce water and energy consumption, and in the process reduce carbon emissions. And all of this is done without sacrificing user experience.
Technology
Conventional ‘aerating’ showers use the Venturi principle to restrict flow and draw atmospheric air into the water through a small hole in the showerhead. This is a very cheap way to reduce the mass flow of water, and aerate it to change the ‘feel’ of the shower, but has no measurable boost in force or performance, regardless of flow rate.
In contrast, Kelda’s patented Air-Powered™ showers use the principles of fuel injection technology. Each shower features an intelligent microprocessor and powerful digital fan which controls the delivery of water and air to the showerhead. Within the showerhead, water is injected into a high-velocity air stream where it is broken up into 100s of droplets that are 250% bigger than a standard shower. Larger droplets yield larger momenta providing the sensation of more spray pressure, making less water feel like so much more. With 150% more impact than a standard shower, a Kelda shower is more effective at rinsing shampoo out of even the thickest of hair.
Independent patent reviews confirm that there are no competing technologies that challenge or supersede Kelda’s technology.
Process
- Establish the Baseline Flow Rate (BFR) of current showers
- Monitor/record showering behaviour (water usage)
- Analyse data to understand potential savings (using installation site utility costs)
- Conduct user feedback surveys
- Present results detailing feedback and potential annual savings
Installation
Kelda’s innovative water-saving shower panels were installed in the communal shower area before entering the Training Pool (used by members to pre-cleanse before entering the pool). The Commercial Shower Panel TF was specified as it includes a timed-flow digital button, set to 30s, to promote water reduction.
Data Logging
Kelda’s high-efficiency showers also feature kSMART, Kelda’s Shower Monitoring And Recording Technology, a low-cost data logging solution for remotely monitoring showers – allowing customers to monitor and manage shower water usage. This helped to reduce operational costs by understanding when and where water is being used. Data from each shower is transferred seamlessly over the local wireless network and presented on an online portal.
Data Collected (kSMART Feb / March 2020):
- Average shower event duration: 1m 39s
- Average no. of showers/events per day: 86
- Water used per shower event: 8.25 litres (previously 16.5 litres)
Conclusion
The data collected has unanimously proven that Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers have reduced water consumption by 40%.
In a survey conducted by GLL Ltd., 100% of users agreed that water-saving showers should be installed across the entire complex.
If the showers were rolled out across the site (56 showers) Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers could help provide:
- Savings: £86,000 / year
- Water Savings: 28,900 m³ / year
- CO2 Savings: 239 tonnes / year
- Return On Investment (ROI): 19 months
All stakeholders agreed that the trial was successful in that it clearly demonstrated a 40% reduction in water without compromising on shower experience and would enable the London Development Legacy Corporation to achieve their water sustainability targets at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Switching to Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers would also make a significant environmental impact. Saving 239 tonnes of carbon emissions per year is equivalent to removing 161 cars off the road, every year!
Note:
The showers installed in the Training Pool area are intended for pre-cleanse purposes only. Showers installed in the changing rooms are expected to be used for much longer periods of time e.g. gym members washing hair and body. If an average showering time of 5 minutes was used across the estate annual savings are estimated to be £73,400, equivalent to £367,000 over 5 years. This would result in a return on investment of only 7 months (including the cost of product and installation).