Triton Showers has bolstered its support for the housebuilding industry with the unveiling of ENlight® with HeatRepeat®, the manufacturer’s first electric shower designed to connect to Waste Water Heat Recovery Systems (WWHRS).
The launch coincides with the impending arrival of the Future Homes Standard (FHS) 2025, which marks an important step in the UK’s commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050. To achieve this, the industry will be required to slash carbon emissions in new housing stock by 75-80%, compared to homes built under the current building regulations.
By capturing otherwise unused energy from the shower wastewater to preheat incoming cold water to the electric shower, ENlight® with HeatRepeat® can reduce annual energy consumption by up to 51%, slash water usage by 44% and lower carbon emissions by 37%, when compared to a mixer shower connected to a WWHRS, resulting in lower running costs for the end-user[1], all while delivering an improved showering experience.
The HeatRepeat® technology inside the thermostatic electric shower modulates power based on the incoming water temperature, supplied by the WWHRS. This represents a major advancement in sustainable showering, helping housebuilders to comply with critical compliance metrics such as Target Emission Rate (TER) and Target Primary Energy Rate (TPER).
Beyond energy efficiency, all of Triton’s electric showers support compliance with Part G – Water Efficiency. With an average flow rate of just below 5 l/min, ENlight® with HeatRepeat® delivers an enhanced shower experience all year-round when connected to a WWHRS. This is especially beneficial in water-stressed areas, where developments must limit water use to below 110 litres per person per day.
Paul Ravnbo-West, market development manager at Triton Showers, said: “As building fabric is tightened through the Future Homes Standard and beyond, it’s very likely that hot water will become the dominant energy load, particularly in highly efficient, low-heat-loss homes.”
“ENlight® with HeatRepeat® reinforces Triton’s commitment to ensuring that our products improve water and energy efficiency in future homes – creating more sustainable and affordable places to live.”
When ENlight® with HeatRepeat® is connected to a WWHRS, the operational carbon emission savings, compared to a mixer shower, can negate its own embodied carbon footprint, including that of the WWHRS, in as little as three months.
ENlight’s® sleek design includes a modern OLED display showing both shower temperature and, at the end of the shower, duration, as well as a timer to encourage shorter showers and support behaviour change – a feature that resonates strongly with consumers. It also features a unique logo that activates as the incoming water temperature rises, leaving users safe in the knowledge that the WWHRS is operating.
In a recent poll of over 4,000 adults, 42% said they have reduced their showers to five minutes to help save the planet and lower household bills.
As part of the manufacturer’s aim to actively communicate the environmental impact of its products, the shower will have its own ‘environmental passport’ in the form of an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD). This provides full transparency by quantifying environmental information about the product’s lifecycle.
Paul continued: “The UK is struggling to meet its housing demand, leading to a significant housing crisis, and many new developments will be in water-stressed areas. Housebuilders are under pressure to reduce water consumption to less than 110 litres per person per day, and given the country’s water scarcity issues, it has never been more important to take steps towards a water-secure future.
“As a major contributor to household water consumption and carbon footprint, it’s important that sustainable showering solutions are on hand to help both housebuilders and residents. Not only does ENlight® with HeatRepeat® reduce energy consumption and lower household bills, but it also provides a consistent, enjoyable showering experience to users throughout the year.”