Bathe With a Clear Conscience With Water-Saving Innovations
Water-saving is a global initiative that is here to stay; here's how people from Sweden to Japan choose smartly when it comes to fixtures
Be smart with your water usage, and you can potentially cut your utility bills, without costly investments in water systems and expensive shower heads. We need to act now, as water is potentially running low: In the United States, as of this month last year, 40 states reported water shortages. Russia added water-saving meters to all homes in 2015, and Sweden is finding solutions via space, to potentially save vast amounts of water. The goal is to contribute to a more sustainable future. Start by looking at your bathroom fixtures; unfortunately most bathrooms are extremely energy in-efficient, which currently accounts for more than half of the indoor water used globally.
Editor’s Note: Singapore is no stranger to water sustainability, with our reservoirs and NEWater, but individual residences can also play a part in conserving this precious resource, so let’s see what other ideas from around the world we can apply on our own.
Editor’s Note: Singapore is no stranger to water sustainability, with our reservoirs and NEWater, but individual residences can also play a part in conserving this precious resource, so let’s see what other ideas from around the world we can apply on our own.
“It was an incredible feeling,” says Mehrdad Mahdjoubi. “I had found something to develop, on earth as well as in space – and all the segments in between.”
The shower uses two filters that are installed in the bottom of the specially-supplied shower tray at 90x90cm. One micro filter picks up flakes and scraps, while the nano filter gets rid of viruses, bacteria, particles and 99% of toxins, metals and oils. According to the founders, this purifies the water to beyond the quality of normal tap water, and has been tested numerous times by the Swedish Public Health Agency.
The water saving is due to the same water being pumped through the shower and filters numerous times, coming out clean through the shower head over and over. If the water gets heavily polluted, maybe by a dropped shampoo bottle, the filter senses it and releases the contaminated water into the drain, while restocking with a fresh supply. For residential use, the system costs approximately $5,995 (SGDD $8,670) for a standalone shower cabin, or $4,995 (SGD $7,224) for a shower tray that is integrated in the floor in a new-build or renovation (depending on installation fees). A regular, local plumber and certified electrician should be able to install the unit following the manual, according to the company.
The filters can be easily changed when an LED light in the shower tray indicates they are full, by lifting up the tray and replacing them – they cost $25 (SGD $36.50) for the Micro Capsule filter and $100 (SGDD $145) for the Nano Capsule. The company estimates that the average family would require approximately three micro capsules and one nano capsule per year, bringing the total cost to $175 (SGD $253) – unless you have teenage daughters, says Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, in which case the cost might go up. “But then again, the more they shower, the more you save on water and energy.”
The Website lets you discover how much money and water you can save by using the system, and in Sweden (where water rates are quite low) the saving for the Swedish editor’s home can, according to the saver calculator, be up to $1,605 (SGD $2,321) – and that’s because she has two teenage daughters. The most satisfying number that pops up on the screen though is the amount of water saved – a remarkable 189,800 litres per year that, at the moment, is going into the drain…
The Website lets you discover how much money and water you can save by using the system, and in Sweden (where water rates are quite low) the saving for the Swedish editor’s home can, according to the saver calculator, be up to $1,605 (SGD $2,321) – and that’s because she has two teenage daughters. The most satisfying number that pops up on the screen though is the amount of water saved – a remarkable 189,800 litres per year that, at the moment, is going into the drain…
Axor Starck V
What does water-saving look like in Russia?
The Russian Houzz editor, Elena Igumnova, lives and works from Moscow, and she is used to a special regulation set to water bills in Russia: ‘“We used to pay for water, based on the cube/tenant norm (including infants) until recently. Starting from 1 January 2015, individual hot and cold water meter installations in apartments became compulsory. People who installed the meter have lowered their water bills by 30% – since the actual water consumption turned out to be less than what people were used to pay for. As a result, Russian people have had the opportunity to save some money on water without changing their habits. And they therefore have no real motivation for water saving habits.’’
Mikhail Chizhov, Marketing Director of Hansgrohe in Russia, agrees with Elena: ‘’As to the showers, we now have both EcoSmart collections and basic ones. The cost difference between two models is unsubstantial, nevertheless 95% of the showers sold in Russia are those without water saving options. The customers are not very willing to purchase these models, and big shops don’t order those “economic” showers very often. It’s all because water is very cheap in Russia, so customers are not motivated to lower water consumption – taking a “proper"” shower with a strong stream of water is way nicer.’’
See more images of their solutions
The Russian Houzz editor, Elena Igumnova, lives and works from Moscow, and she is used to a special regulation set to water bills in Russia: ‘“We used to pay for water, based on the cube/tenant norm (including infants) until recently. Starting from 1 January 2015, individual hot and cold water meter installations in apartments became compulsory. People who installed the meter have lowered their water bills by 30% – since the actual water consumption turned out to be less than what people were used to pay for. As a result, Russian people have had the opportunity to save some money on water without changing their habits. And they therefore have no real motivation for water saving habits.’’
Mikhail Chizhov, Marketing Director of Hansgrohe in Russia, agrees with Elena: ‘’As to the showers, we now have both EcoSmart collections and basic ones. The cost difference between two models is unsubstantial, nevertheless 95% of the showers sold in Russia are those without water saving options. The customers are not very willing to purchase these models, and big shops don’t order those “economic” showers very often. It’s all because water is very cheap in Russia, so customers are not motivated to lower water consumption – taking a “proper"” shower with a strong stream of water is way nicer.’’
See more images of their solutions
Mikhail Chizhov has noticed a difference between domestic and commercial aspects though: ‘’Meanwhile in Russian commercial projects there’s a totally different situation. When it comes to building a spa, a hotel, a shopping mall with a large number of customers, the problem of water saving is very relevant. At this point, the water-saving mixers allow Hansgrohe to win this type of tenders. For these occasions we have special super-saving aerators ( 2,7 l/min compared to 5/l min using EcoSmart technology). Those very models are very popular in commercial projects. I am sure that as soon as the water prices increase in Russia people will need the water saving [function].’’
To compare, Russian Houzzers such as Natalya Stogova noticed a large difference by adding a meter to her apartment:
‘’We installed water meters a few years ago. We never expected that it would result in such big savings! The real amount of water used turned out to be 2-3 times lower than what we were getting on the bill for average consumption.’’
To compare, Russian Houzzers such as Natalya Stogova noticed a large difference by adding a meter to her apartment:
‘’We installed water meters a few years ago. We never expected that it would result in such big savings! The real amount of water used turned out to be 2-3 times lower than what we were getting on the bill for average consumption.’’
Bathtubs – one of the water-saving killers?
There’s nothing like a long, luxurious bath. That luxury takes a lot of water – roughly 190 to 265 litres per bath. Being water wise doesn’t have to mean giving up your long soak. When renovating or building, look for smaller tubs with a capacity of less than 227 litres. Also, when you’re just looking for a quick clean, you’d be more water smart to jump in the shower, where you’ll use about half the water.
The Danish Houzzer Jette Yde, commented that she is definitely against bathtubs: ‘’I will go against the grain and say no to bathtubs. It may well be that the kids love it and it’s cosy and idyllic with the idea to sit there with great music and a glass of wine. I would never be able to justify filling such a vessel. I think the environmental concerns weigh heavy here, and water reserves are not infinite. So out with the bathtubs and use a cool shower instead. It creates better space in the room, in your wallet and for the environment.’’
There’s nothing like a long, luxurious bath. That luxury takes a lot of water – roughly 190 to 265 litres per bath. Being water wise doesn’t have to mean giving up your long soak. When renovating or building, look for smaller tubs with a capacity of less than 227 litres. Also, when you’re just looking for a quick clean, you’d be more water smart to jump in the shower, where you’ll use about half the water.
The Danish Houzzer Jette Yde, commented that she is definitely against bathtubs: ‘’I will go against the grain and say no to bathtubs. It may well be that the kids love it and it’s cosy and idyllic with the idea to sit there with great music and a glass of wine. I would never be able to justify filling such a vessel. I think the environmental concerns weigh heavy here, and water reserves are not infinite. So out with the bathtubs and use a cool shower instead. It creates better space in the room, in your wallet and for the environment.’’
The Japanese are famous for their long soak baths, but these are actually meant to save water, because a family (or, those who share a bath) re-use the same water in the bathtub. This is possible due to the way the Japanese take a bath. ‘"When you take a bath, you thoroughly rinse the body before entering a soaking tub filled with hot water; the bathwater is meant to remain clean and soap free for the next person to use. When we were children, parents taught us that we must rinse our body thoroughly before getting into the water, to keep the water clean for those who use the bath later,’’ says Houzzer Anne Shimamoto.
In addition, many of the baths in Japanese houses have the ‘oidaki’ system. It fills hot water in the bathtub and reheats it with a reheating system that is installed. Simply pushing the button on the control panel, you can fill hot water automatically. And, when the next person takes a bath, the water might not be hot enough, so you press the “oidaki” button and the water is reheated again by the boiler installed outside the bathroom. (the boiler can be electric or gas.) This oidaki system contributes greatly to saving water.
See how it works here
In addition, many of the baths in Japanese houses have the ‘oidaki’ system. It fills hot water in the bathtub and reheats it with a reheating system that is installed. Simply pushing the button on the control panel, you can fill hot water automatically. And, when the next person takes a bath, the water might not be hot enough, so you press the “oidaki” button and the water is reheated again by the boiler installed outside the bathroom. (the boiler can be electric or gas.) This oidaki system contributes greatly to saving water.
See how it works here
In the United States, they use a similar system, inspired by the Japanese, but instead they insulate their water pipes, so that you don’t wait for hot water, explains Right Arm Construction: “If you don’t have them already, making the switch to low-flow shower heads is an easy and effective way to save water daily. Start out by insulating the hot water pipes. Getting hot water faster means less water is wasted running down the drain while you wait. Want to go the extra mile? Keep a pitcher in the bathroom and use it to catch the would-be wasted water as you wait for it to heat up.’’
AKDY Rainfall Style High Efficiency Water Saving Contemporary Square Shower Head
Is retaining water the way forward?
Houzz contributing writer Julie Kim, who studied architecture at UC Berkeley and urban planning at UCLA before working in affordable housing architecture for many years, is passionate about beautiful, environmentally-sensitive design, and has commented via Houzz on water-saving fixtures on Forbes:
“Rainfall is at record lows in many parts of the United States. California, in particular, is in the midst of an extreme drought. A professor from the earth and planetary sciences at the University of California, Berkeley has stated that the state is on track for having the worst drought in 500 years. A recent law mandates that Californians reduce their water consumption 20 percent by the year 2020. The typical American family uses about 400 gallons (1,514 litres) of water every day. According to Rea Gonzalez, a representative of the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, most of that water – about 60% in relatively arid California – is used outdoors for watering the yard and filling a swimming pool or hot tub. So, obviously, a great place to start water conservation efforts is outside.
But water consumption indoors shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Gonzalez has outlined the top five most effective and budget-conscious ways for Californians to save water at home, detailed below. Now, if we could all just organise a mass rain dance …
By choosing eco-friendly faucets, shower heads and even toilets, you can save loads of water and money without sacrificing style.’’
Houzz contributing writer Julie Kim, who studied architecture at UC Berkeley and urban planning at UCLA before working in affordable housing architecture for many years, is passionate about beautiful, environmentally-sensitive design, and has commented via Houzz on water-saving fixtures on Forbes:
“Rainfall is at record lows in many parts of the United States. California, in particular, is in the midst of an extreme drought. A professor from the earth and planetary sciences at the University of California, Berkeley has stated that the state is on track for having the worst drought in 500 years. A recent law mandates that Californians reduce their water consumption 20 percent by the year 2020. The typical American family uses about 400 gallons (1,514 litres) of water every day. According to Rea Gonzalez, a representative of the Los Angeles Department of Public Works, most of that water – about 60% in relatively arid California – is used outdoors for watering the yard and filling a swimming pool or hot tub. So, obviously, a great place to start water conservation efforts is outside.
But water consumption indoors shouldn’t be overlooked, either. Gonzalez has outlined the top five most effective and budget-conscious ways for Californians to save water at home, detailed below. Now, if we could all just organise a mass rain dance …
By choosing eco-friendly faucets, shower heads and even toilets, you can save loads of water and money without sacrificing style.’’
The Californian Energy Commission, has finally approved new standards for shower-heads in hopes to save 38 billion gallons of water over 10 years.
‘’In the drought-stricken state of California, homeowners as well as politicians are working to reduce the amount of water residential landscapes consume, which, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accounts for about 30% of daily household water use.
Starting December 1, 2015, turf grass and other water-intensive plants will be limited to roughly 25% of new yards over 500 square feet (46 square metres) and renovated yards over 2,500 square feet (232 square metres). Landscapes less than 2,500 square feet (232 square metres) can meet the restrictions through a prescriptive checklist. This is down from 33% of high-water-use plants only applying to landscapes more than 2,500 square feet. “Revising the ordinance was well due. We’re moving in the direction Californians would like to move,” says Vicki Lake, program manager at The State Department of Water Resources.
Homeowners across the US are addressing how their yards use and conserve water through new landscape features. In the 2015 Houzz Landscape and Garden Trends Study conducted in May, 1,600 homeowners in the US who had completed an outdoor project in the past 12 months, are working on one or plan to start in the next six months, responded that water topped their list of challenges addressed during the landscape renovation. In California, 70% of homeowners cited drought considerations as their top renovation challenge. “Our two most recent projects were entirely motivated by water reduction,” San Francisco Bay Area landscape designer Sara Warto says.
Nearly 1 in 5 homeowners who plan to upgrade their space will add some sort of rainwater harvesting device and 29% will add or update sprinklers or irrigation systems. Three percent of homeowners plant to install a greywater system so that they can recycle the gently used water from their sinks, laundry and showers back into the landscape.
More info:
San Francisco Water
Los Angeles Times: Greywater Motion
‘’In the drought-stricken state of California, homeowners as well as politicians are working to reduce the amount of water residential landscapes consume, which, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accounts for about 30% of daily household water use.
Starting December 1, 2015, turf grass and other water-intensive plants will be limited to roughly 25% of new yards over 500 square feet (46 square metres) and renovated yards over 2,500 square feet (232 square metres). Landscapes less than 2,500 square feet (232 square metres) can meet the restrictions through a prescriptive checklist. This is down from 33% of high-water-use plants only applying to landscapes more than 2,500 square feet. “Revising the ordinance was well due. We’re moving in the direction Californians would like to move,” says Vicki Lake, program manager at The State Department of Water Resources.
Homeowners across the US are addressing how their yards use and conserve water through new landscape features. In the 2015 Houzz Landscape and Garden Trends Study conducted in May, 1,600 homeowners in the US who had completed an outdoor project in the past 12 months, are working on one or plan to start in the next six months, responded that water topped their list of challenges addressed during the landscape renovation. In California, 70% of homeowners cited drought considerations as their top renovation challenge. “Our two most recent projects were entirely motivated by water reduction,” San Francisco Bay Area landscape designer Sara Warto says.
Nearly 1 in 5 homeowners who plan to upgrade their space will add some sort of rainwater harvesting device and 29% will add or update sprinklers or irrigation systems. Three percent of homeowners plant to install a greywater system so that they can recycle the gently used water from their sinks, laundry and showers back into the landscape.
More info:
San Francisco Water
Los Angeles Times: Greywater Motion
How do we proceed to save water?
To find water-wise fixtures, look for the WaterSense label (Editor’s Note: In Singapore, look for the WELS Rating). WaterSense is a partnership program with The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an independent organisation that reviews plumbing fixtures for water efficiency (among many other jobs). Their certification, or approval, is given to fixtures that are at least 20% more efficient without compromising performance. The average bathroom makeover with WaterSense fixtures saves 7,000 gallons (26,498 litres) of water annually. That’s enough water to wash six months worth of laundry.
Getting a faucet with the WaterSense can reduce your sink’s water flow by up to 30%, saving the average home 500 gallons (1,893 litres) of water annually. You can also add an aerator to bathroom taps. An aerator decreases water flow while maintaining or even increasing water pressure by mixing water with air.
And regardless of how much water comes out of your tap, don’t forget to turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing teeth.
To find water-wise fixtures, look for the WaterSense label (Editor’s Note: In Singapore, look for the WELS Rating). WaterSense is a partnership program with The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, an independent organisation that reviews plumbing fixtures for water efficiency (among many other jobs). Their certification, or approval, is given to fixtures that are at least 20% more efficient without compromising performance. The average bathroom makeover with WaterSense fixtures saves 7,000 gallons (26,498 litres) of water annually. That’s enough water to wash six months worth of laundry.
Getting a faucet with the WaterSense can reduce your sink’s water flow by up to 30%, saving the average home 500 gallons (1,893 litres) of water annually. You can also add an aerator to bathroom taps. An aerator decreases water flow while maintaining or even increasing water pressure by mixing water with air.
And regardless of how much water comes out of your tap, don’t forget to turn off the faucet while shaving or brushing teeth.
The French water-saving expert Evelin Stratmann, who is the marketing manager for Hansgrohe France, presents a few new innovations that one can add to their household: “French people are very water conscious, and often try to save it as much as possible, but they don’t want to give up on their comfort and the usual benefits of bathing at home. So all the water saving innovations have to be unobtrusive and need to deliver the same joyful and indulging experience.’’
This autumn, Hansgrohe launched in France a new Showerpipe, the Rainmaker Select 460 3jet EcoSmart, that includes a new technology: The Select button. It is directly integrated on the XXL Thermostatic or temperature control tap (70 cm), and this enables it to stop water by simply pushing an intuitive button. “The temperature is automatically saved so the user doesn’t have cold water when putting water back. This tool has been made to change the homeowners’ habit of keeping the water on during the entire shower, and encourage them to stop it when soaping to save water,’’ comments Evelin Stratmann.
This autumn, Hansgrohe launched in France a new Showerpipe, the Rainmaker Select 460 3jet EcoSmart, that includes a new technology: The Select button. It is directly integrated on the XXL Thermostatic or temperature control tap (70 cm), and this enables it to stop water by simply pushing an intuitive button. “The temperature is automatically saved so the user doesn’t have cold water when putting water back. This tool has been made to change the homeowners’ habit of keeping the water on during the entire shower, and encourage them to stop it when soaping to save water,’’ comments Evelin Stratmann.
In the same Shower pipe you can add two other water-efficient technologies: the Air Power and the EcoSmart system. The first one delivers rain shower enriched with air (the mix between air and water minimise the actual water volume) and the second one is a mechanical device that reduces water consumption up to 60%(from 13 litres to 5 litres for a traditional shower).
But even if all these tools are efficient, we have to keep in mind that a current huge trend is the grand French bathrooms, where its all about Italian style showers with huge rain showers, known to be major water consumers. So if the equipment needs to be adapted, the habits need, first of all, to be changed!
But even if all these tools are efficient, we have to keep in mind that a current huge trend is the grand French bathrooms, where its all about Italian style showers with huge rain showers, known to be major water consumers. So if the equipment needs to be adapted, the habits need, first of all, to be changed!
Rainmaker Select Showerpipe 3jet S120
The French Houzz pro
RAAB Architecture shares a few great solutions to save water in your bathroom:
Step 1: First simply start by using water differently, turn it off when you are soaping or brushing our teeth… For the shower, there is a cheap ingenious system called ‘Shower stop’. It allows you to have hot water since you turn water on, without waiting and wasting cold water. The most courageous ones can put a bucket under the faucet to water the plants with the cold that comes first or heat it for a cup of tea.
Step 2: You can also use a simple water reducer (in DIY stores) that shrinks the jet with the same benefit as usual and cuts almost 50% of your water consumption. Almost all new faucets have one.
Step 3: A simple installation called ‘power-pipe’ can be put on your plumbing by a professional. It allows it to retrieve the heating delivered by the grey water as a pre-heating energy for clear water coming into the water-heater. It is quite cheap and very interesting for energy saving since the water will be warm, so the water-heater won’t need then as much energy as usual to heat it.
RAAB Architecture shares a few great solutions to save water in your bathroom:
Step 1: First simply start by using water differently, turn it off when you are soaping or brushing our teeth… For the shower, there is a cheap ingenious system called ‘Shower stop’. It allows you to have hot water since you turn water on, without waiting and wasting cold water. The most courageous ones can put a bucket under the faucet to water the plants with the cold that comes first or heat it for a cup of tea.
Step 2: You can also use a simple water reducer (in DIY stores) that shrinks the jet with the same benefit as usual and cuts almost 50% of your water consumption. Almost all new faucets have one.
Step 3: A simple installation called ‘power-pipe’ can be put on your plumbing by a professional. It allows it to retrieve the heating delivered by the grey water as a pre-heating energy for clear water coming into the water-heater. It is quite cheap and very interesting for energy saving since the water will be warm, so the water-heater won’t need then as much energy as usual to heat it.
Make your shower adjustable: Choose a shower with a riser rail so you can quickly and easily adjust the height of the shower head. Use a water-saving shower head, too, to help minimise water consumption. Shop around for models that reduce water usage to as little as 6 litres per minute.
This is a common solution for homeowners in Australia, who commonly use water-saving shower heads – since it works great as a water-saving technique. While you may not get the whole-body coverage you love from a snazzy rainwater version, a shower head such as the one above makes up for it with water pressure.
Skyring Architects from Australia suggests taking shorter showers: “Cutting your water bills is easy with this simple adjustment to your family’s daily routine. If you love a long shower, though, don’t beat yourself up. Just stick to four-minute showers on weekdays and indulge in longer showers on the weekend. A water-saving shower head will cut your bills even further.’’
Skyring Architects from Australia suggests taking shorter showers: “Cutting your water bills is easy with this simple adjustment to your family’s daily routine. If you love a long shower, though, don’t beat yourself up. Just stick to four-minute showers on weekdays and indulge in longer showers on the weekend. A water-saving shower head will cut your bills even further.’’
The water-saving brand WaterSense, has a few tricks, if you want to keep that luxurious shower experience: “You don’t have to give up a luxe shower experience to save water. Feel virtuous when lathering up with a certified shower head. We understand that no one wants a wimpy shower spray, so all our approved fixtures tout a satisfactory shower that is equal to or better than conventional shower heads on the market” while using just 2 gallons (7.6 litres) of water per minute.’’
Showers typically use less water than baths, as long as they’re kept brief. A timer can help you keep an eye on how long you’ve been lathering up.
Showers typically use less water than baths, as long as they’re kept brief. A timer can help you keep an eye on how long you’ve been lathering up.
It seems that far from being the final frontier, space is proving to be a fertile field for innovation to bring back to earth. One of the most recent of these mind-bending discoveries is the shower system from the Swedish company Orbital Systems, that saves 90% water and 80% energy compared to old-fashioned showers.
What they have termed the Shower of the Future was inspired by an academic project with NASA that founder Mehrdad Mahdjoubi undertook in 2013, when he was a last-year student at the University of Lund in southern Sweden.
He realised that the technique used to recycle and reuse water on space stations could be implemented in earthly bathrooms as well, both in private homes and in institutions such as gyms, schools, communal baths and hotels.