Plumbing Connection 2-2015

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PLUMBING CONNECTION

WINTER 2015

GETTING A SECOND BITE AT LOST SHOWER ENERGY

Over the past couple of years

Plumbing Connection has featured a

number of products that have aimed

to re-use the heat lost from shower

water, to preheat the incoming cold

water before it reaches the mixing

valve. The attractions in terms of

saving energy/money are obvious

but making the pay-back work and

the installation simple have been the challenges.

We spied two interesting new solutions, one for OEMs

(original equipment manufacturers) and the other a bolt-

on solution. Both claim to be able to lift the incoming cold

water temperature from 10°C to around 25°C.

The first one called the Joulia-Inline claims to be able

to save more than 50% of the energy normally lost in the

flushed shower water. The Swiss manufacturer is looking

to sell the technology to companies all over the world who

make shower trays and drains. The compact Joulia unit is

invisible in the shower floor and has no moving parts that

require maintenance. This heat-exchange unit is a simple

idea – which means it has a high chance of success. In

talking with Reto Schmid, the Joulia CEO/Co-founder

at his ISH stand, he was very satisfied with the interest

shown in the product from around the world, including

Australia and New Zealand. Laufen, one of Europe’s most

respected shower unit suppliers, has already integrated

the Joulia into some of its products.

Another take along the same theme came from a

Portuguese company with a product called the Zypho. This

product can be integrated into a new-build specification

or where there is sufficient room and access below the

shower base, so it can be retrofitted into the existing

plumbing system.

The Zypho is not meant to be removed (the Joulia can be

more easily accessed) once it is installed but through the

waste outlet you can access a filter and trap to remove

any hair or other blockages.

The real test for these drain water heat recovery

units will come in the form of meeting our WaterMark

requirements and satisfying potential specifiers,

with energy-savings and payback performance data,

confirmed by independent third parties.

www.joulia.com www.zypho.eu

ABOVE:

Reto Schmid, Joulia CEO & Co-Founder.

The Joulia-Inline is an exciting proposition.

The Zypho can be retrofitted into existing systems.