Eco shower heads group test

Croft12

Looking to change my (power) shower heads to eco - can find many individual reviews but not any good group tests of all the major contenders. Anyone know a good url?

matelodave

Have "Whitch" done any tests.

We've got an EcoCamel shower head in our caravan which gives a more than adequate shower from the internal pump at about 5lpm (in fact it's a similar shower head to those fitted in cruise ships). The EcoCamel sucks air into the water stream to enhance the effect of the shower.

The shower head in our bathroom at home has a flow restrictor screwed in-line with the standard Aqualiser showerhead which reduces the rate down to between 5-7lpm which again gives us a good shower. The restrictor was free from Anglian Water (together with others for the bathroom & kitchen taps)

Cardew

http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/reviews-ns/water-saving-shower-heads/

Croft12

matelodave wrote: »

Have "Whitch" done any tests.

We've got an EcoCamel shower head in our caravan which gives a more than adequate shower from the internal pump at about 5lpm (in fact it's a similar shower head to those fitted in cruise ships). The EcoCamel sucks air into the water stream to enhance the effect of the shower.

I've read a few reviews... one seemed to suggest the injection of the air lowered (by perception) the temp of the water

The shower head in our bathroom at home has a flow restrictor screwed in-line with the standard Aqualiser showerhead which reduces the rate down to between 5-7lpm which again gives us a good shower. The restrictor was free from Anglian Water (together with others for the bathroom & kitchen taps)

I have a power shower - not sure if the restrictors work with those...

Cardew wrote: »

http://www.which.co.uk/energy/creating-an-energy-saving-home/reviews-ns/water-saving-shower-heads/

Yeah I found the link - but its pay walled :-(

matelodave

If your aim is to reduce your water consumption then the only way you'll do it is by reducing the flow (or having shorter showers) and that's what an eco shower head will do. Even if it entrains air into the water flow it's primary purpose would be to reduce the amount of water that comes out.

I'd try your water company for a freebie restrictor and see if it works with your existing shower head first rather than spending lots of money on an Eco head (something that Which didn't seem to be all that impressed with).

A flow restrictor shouldn't affect the pressure much, just the flow so it's unlikely to work well with a rain/deluge type head. But if you can get one for free or look on the web (they are only £5-£10) it's worth a try.

Cardew

Croft12 wrote: »

Yeah I found the link - but its pay walled :-(

Cost £1 to read, or local library. Only two tested anyway

Croft12

Cardew wrote: »

Cost £1 to read, or local library. Only two tested anyway

Seem so I logged in (you get your £ back if you cancel in 14 days on my read of the T&Cs

Croft12

matelodave wrote: »

If your aim is to reduce your water consumption then the only way you'll do it is by reducing the flow (or having shorter showers) and that's what an eco shower head will do. Even if it entrains air into the water flow it's primary purpose would be to reduce the amount of water that comes out.

I'm not metered so don't care about consumption so much as energy costs. Less hot water used less I have to run my immersion. hard to tell how much any of these devices will help without sucking it and seeing :-)

phsci

Not exactly what you are looking for, but you might enjoy learning about relevant factors if you have a look at this joint report from United Utilities and Liverpool John Moores University (Water and Energy Efficient Showers: Project Report) available as a pdf at:
http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=192

matelodave

phsci wrote: »

Not exactly what you are looking for, but you might enjoy learning about relevant factors if you have a look at this joint report from United Utilities and Liverpool John Moores University (Water and Energy Efficient Showers: Project Report) available as a pdf at:
http://www.allianceforwaterefficiency.org/WorkArea/DownloadAsset.aspx?id=192

It's an interesting report, suggesting that electric showers are most economical for both water & energy consumption.

However it doesn't take into account the cost of energy as it implies that all measurements were taken using an immersion heater.

A low-flow mixer could actually be cheaper to run than an electric one if you were using gas to heat the water although you might use more water depending on the flow rate and time you stand in there.

It's not surprising though, that a pumped power shower can easily use substantially more water & energy than having a bath.

It does suggest that an aerating shower head gives a better showering experience and is more acceptable to people than just reducing the flow through an existing shower head. It also shows that substantial savings can be made in both water and energy consumption just by reducing the amount of time you stand in the shower.