Showersave named finalist in the Energy Saving Awards 2026
Showersave is delighted to announce that its QB1-21XE wastewater heat recovery system has been shortlisted as a finalist in the Energy Saving Awards 2026, in the highly regarded Domestic Energy Saving Product of the Year category.
Organised by leading industry publications Plumbing, Heating & Air Movement News (PHAM News) and Energy in Buildings & Industry (EiBI), part of Datateam Business Media, the Energy Saving Awards recognise the outstanding people, products and projects making a positive contribution to energy efficiency and carbon reduction across the plumbing, heating, HVAC and energy management sectors.
Being named a finalist is a fantastic recognition of Showersave’s continued commitment to developing innovative solutions that help reduce energy consumption, improve hot water efficiency and support the transition to lower-carbon homes.
Putting energy efficiency at the heart of every shower
Launched in November 2024, the Showersave QB1-21XE is a passive Waste Water Heat Recovery System (WWHRS) designed to recover valuable heat energy that would otherwise be lost down the shower drain.
By transferring this recovered heat to incoming cold water, the system preheats the water before it reaches the hot water cylinder or shower, reducing the energy required to produce domestic hot water. Crucially, it achieves these savings without requiring occupants to change their everyday showering habits.
The QB1-21XE is entirely passive, with no electrical components, pumps or moving parts. It requires no energy to operate and is maintenance-free, offering reliable, long-term performance. With an expected service life of more than 30 years and construction using reusable and recyclable copper and brass, it provides lasting energy and carbon savings throughout the lifetime of a home.
Delivering measurable energy and carbon savings
Independent analysis by the Centre for Sustainable Technologies at the University of Ulster demonstrates the significant potential of wastewater heat recovery. The Showersave system can deliver energy savings of 41–47%, equivalent to approximately £160–£230 per household each year.
The benefits are particularly relevant to modern homes incorporating air source heat pumps. By reducing domestic hot water demand at source, the QB1-21XE reduces the workload on the primary heating system, helping improve overall efficiency, reduce reliance on supplementary immersion heating and increase hot water availability for consecutive showers.
The system can also improve hot water cylinder performance, reducing recovery times by up to 50%. When integrated with a heat pump, it can enable cylinder sizes to be reduced by up to 20%, creating opportunities to save valuable space, materials and installation costs.
Beyond household energy savings, the QB1-21XE can deliver estimated carbon savings of 350–490 kg CO₂e per unit each year when used with a gas boiler, helping housebuilders address increasingly demanding energy efficiency and carbon reduction targets.
Further benefits can be achieved when the QB1-21XE is combined with Triton ENlight® with HeatRepeat® technology, delivering up to 44% lower water usage, 51% energy savings and a 37% reduction in carbon emissions compared with a traditional mixer shower operating at 8 litres per minute connected to a wastewater heat recovery system.
Supporting the future of energy-efficient homes
As the housing sector continues to focus on reducing energy consumption and delivering lower-carbon homes, solutions that reduce demand before energy is used are becoming increasingly important.
Showersave’s approach is simple: recover energy that would otherwise be wasted and put it back to work. By reducing the demand for domestic hot water, the QB1-21XE helps heating systems work more efficiently, supports heat pump performance and contributes to more sustainable homes.
Being shortlisted for Domestic Energy Saving Product of the Year is an exciting milestone for Showersave and recognition of the important role wastewater heat recovery can play in the future of housing.
Looking ahead to the awards ceremony
The Energy Saving Awards 2026 ceremony will take place on 4 December 2026 at the Park Plaza London Riverbank, bringing together professionals from across the industry to celebrate innovation and achievements in energy efficiency and carbon reduction.
We’re proud to see the Showersave QB1-21XE recognised alongside other leading innovations and look forward to celebrating with colleagues from across the industry.
Showersave – recovering wasted energy, one shower at a time.