With the energy price cap set to rise by 2% to £1,755 per year for a typical household, homeowners are looking for retrofit solutions that can make their homes more efficient, sustainable, and future-ready.
Net Zero by 2050
As the UK works towards its Net Zero 2050 target, the focus is on cutting greenhouse gas emissions to balance the emissions we produce with those we remove from the atmosphere. This ambition is designed to limit global warming, reduce climate risks, and drive investment in low-carbon technologies.
Impact of heating water
Generating heat and hot water in buildings accounts for a large part of the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions. Most heat is produced by burning natural gas, and these emissions will need to be reduced to almost zero by 2050.
Currently, the UK aims to reduce installations of gas boilers by 80% by 2035, replacing them with heat pumps, waste heat, and geothermal sources to reduce CO2 emissions.
Waste Water Heat Recovery and heat pumps
Shower Waste Water Heat Recovery Systems (WWHRS) capture waste heat from used shower water and return it to the building’s water heating system. This reduces demand on traditional energy sources and aligns with the government’s wider strategy for reusing waste heat.
How WWHRS contribute to sustainable living
Re-using heat from water that has already been paid for not only lowers bills but also reduces reliance on fossil fuels while helping to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The cost of heating water
In a typical household, 12% of the energy bill goes on water heating, according to the Energy Saving Trust. Older systems are even less efficient, pushing this percentage higher.
The average water bill in England and Wales is set to rise by 36% in the next five years to 2030, with some households facing increases of over £200 annually, depending on location. Showersave has been working with Triton Showers to innovate in the area of water reduction. As a result of this collaboration, Triton has developed ENlight with HeatRepeat, a high efficiency shower designed to deliver comfort and measurable energy and water savings.
How WWHRS reduce bills
WWHRS can reduce energy use per shower by up to 55% and cut annual energy bills by as much as £150 for a typical household.
Advantages of WWHRS
Along with financial benefits to homeowners, WWHRS offer a reliable route to more sustainable living with the following benefits:
- WWHRS provide a cost-effective way to improve EPCs, especially when installing Showersave as part of a bathroom refurbishment scheme.
- Built-in efficiency measures that require no behavioural changes from residents.
- Virtually maintenance-free operation with no action required from homeowners/tenants.
- Extremely low embodied carbon with long-term energy efficiency benefits.
Advantages of Showersave’s WWHRS offering
Showersave’s systems also provide the following benefits:
- Double-walled separation provides protection between fresh wholesome water and Category 4/5 wastewater in accordance with UK Standards and Regulations BSEN1717.
- UK Regulation 4 Product Approval Scheme verifies Showersave complies with the Water Supply (Water Fittings) Regulations 1999.
- A single Showersave unit can save a household around five tonnes of carbon emissions over its lifetime
Showersave can future-proof your home to ensure compatibility with other green technologies
WWHRS integrate with other renewable and low-carbon technologies:
- Heat pumps: WWHRS pre-heat the water, reducing heat pump demand and improving efficiency.
- Smaller hot water cylinders take up less space: WWHRS reduce the volume of hot water used for showering while lowering material costs.
As the UK works towards net zero by 2050, WWHRS offer a proven solution for reducing the energy needed to heat water in both domestic and commercial settings. By reducing costs, lowering emissions, and working alongside other renewable technologies, they represent a practical and proven step towards sustainable living.