Saving water in the shower really adds up

With the rising cost of water and the energy needed to heat it, customers will be looking for ways to use less of both, and installers are in a great position to recommend showerheads that offer sustainability without sacrificing performance. Methven’s Chris Billingham explains more.

As the world continues to move towards a culture where sustainability and environmental concerns are more important than ever, installers and their customers are having increasingly frequent conversations on these topics.

This is a huge step towards wider sustainability targets and changing habits, however the picture isn’t always too clear as to what people can do to play their part. Installers will always be crucial influencers to consumers, who are becoming more savvy to the environmental impact of their homes. Not only does this help preserve water as a precious resource, but there are financial considerations for the end user to be aware of.

In April, water bills were subject to the biggest increase in almost 20 years, creating yet another financial issue for individuals and businesses across the UK to come to terms with. According to industry body Water UK, the annual bill for an average household in England and Wales will hit £446, meaning if it wasn’t the case already, all eyes are going to be on ways to cut down on bills where possible.

Market shift

There is good news, however. The bathroom products market has shifted in response to the cost-of-living crisis, so that there are products can offer the highest level of performance without any compromise to the user experience, both of which are achievable in tandem, despite the difficult economic climate.

While efficiency, performance and cost have always been a tricky trio to balance, Methven’s unrivalled experience offers customers products which provide performance without compromise at a time when it is needed most. Detailed, actionable information as to how a simple change can lead to a bigger impact isn’t too difficult to find, either.

Methven has recently launched two Water Saving Calculators, one built around the requirements of consumers and one focusing on the hotel industry. The online calculator for homeowners and installers enables users to select the showerhead they wish to use and tailor calculations according to household water usage.

 Methven’s Satinjet Range includes the Kiri MK2 Cool To Touch Bar Shower cost savings and £373 in energy cost savings.

This information takes seconds to pull together and gives an easy-to-understand picture of how a simple change can have a huge financial impact. The water savings calculator is based on comparing an 8L/per minute and 5.7L/per minute flow rate against an average flow rate of 15L/per minute.

The hospitality calculator allows users to specify the total amount of rooms in their space, as well as occupancy rate, shower water usage in litres per minute, combined water and sewage cost and gas costs. From there it provides water savings in litres, total cost savings and a ROI/payback time estimate.

Get an edge

Featuring a savings breakdown where customers can view the payback period for their chosen showerhead, the interactive calculator also provides tradespeople with an opportunity to recommend Methven showerheads as a worthwhile investment.

Additionally, to assist new homeowners, specifiers can confidently position the interactive calculator as a means to reduce ongoing costs. Were a user to factor in a four-person household, where each member of the household took seven showers per week, they can then assess how much money they could save by using a range of our shower handsets.

Calculating savings

Intuitive, informative, and practical, it utilises details such as the number of people in a household, existing shower flow rate and showering time, before advising a suitable handset to reduce water bills – we have seen in many cases that household costs can be reduced by up to £400 a year, which would almost completely negate the proposed average increase according to Water UK.

For example, the Satinjet Maku handset would contribute to annual water cost savings of £197 and energy cost savings of £269. The annual water saving total would come in at 65,583 litres, while energy savings would total 2609 kWh.

Our Aio Aurajet Aio S handset would provide an even brighter picture, with a combined savings estimate of £646 per year, based on £274 in water

Our production here at Methven is driven by the need to future-proof homes and reduce water and energy usage, all without any compromise on performance.

While focusing on creating the perfect balance of leadingedge water technology and enduring style, Methven’s innovative edge means that we hold three of six worldwide patents for showering technology.

This again points to the fact there really is no need for compromise of any sort to achieve high performance in a sustainable manner.

We are committed to conserving energy and water around the world to protect the planet for generations to come. Installers can trust us to deliver at an affordable price, with easy-to-install products during a difficult financial climate. ◼ phamnews.co.uk/723/42

Cut To The Chase

 With prices on the rise for both water and energy, consumers are looking for ways to save on both

 Methven’s water calculator offers an easy way to determine possible savings based on a customer’s particular details

 A change in handset can go a long way towards cutting a household’s water consumption

 The hospitality sector can also benefit from the Water Saving Calculator