Hamwells Recirculating Showers: Revolutionizing Water and Energy Efficiency in Home Bathing
Discover how Hamwells recirculating showers redefine comfort, drastically reduce water and energy use, and bring technological innovation to everyday hygiene.
Hamwells Recirculating Showers: A New Era of Water and Energy Conservation
In the pursuit of sustainable home living, showers represent a major opportunity for conserving water and reducing energy consumption. Traditional showers can use up to 100 liters (22 gallons) of water in just ten minutes, contributing to significant utility bills and environmental impact. Hamwells has reimagined the daily ritual of showering by introducing innovative recirculating shower systems that promise drastic reductions in water and energy usage, without compromising comfort or hygiene.
Understanding the Technology: How Do Recirculating Showers Work?
The core of Hamwells’ recirculating shower technology lies in its ability to reuse, filter, and purify water continuously throughout each shower session. Instead of letting water flow directly to the drain, these systems capture run-off, treat it through advanced filtration stages, and deliver it back through the showerhead multiple times.
- Multi-tier Filtration: Each drop of water typically passes through sediment and micro-mesh filters, and some models incorporate UV-C LED disinfection to eradicate bacteria and viruses before water is reused.
- Smart Reservoir Design: A mini reservoir, often as small as 1.5 liters, stores water that is kept entirely separate from drain plumbing, minimizing waste and ensuring thorough purification.
- Comfort-Driven Engineering: Hamwells systems can deliver up to 25 liters of water per minute, simulating the sensation of high-volume traditional showers while actually consuming a fraction of the water.
Key Models: e-Shower and Loopz Portable Systems
Hamwells has developed several shower solutions, each designed for specific user needs, from permanent home installations to flexible, off-grid portability.
e-Shower HomeSpa
The flagship Hamwells e-Shower offers dual operating modes to suit different preferences and situations:
- Classic Shower: Delivers water at a standard rate of 7 liters per minute. Ideal for traditional shower experiences.
- Refresh Cycle: Circulates water at high pressure, delivering up to 15 liters per minute while only using 1.5 liters per minute thanks to advanced recirculation and filtration. Each water drop can be reused seven times during a single shower.
This leads to savings of up to 90% in water consumption and 80% in energy usage compared to conventional showers.
The e-Shower’s easy installation options allow it to be built into floors, fitted to walls, or placed in corners, requiring minimal maintenance and no costly filter replacements. Digital features such as Wi-Fi connectivity enable users to monitor water use, stream music, and even gamify conservation through a green tree indicator for saved water.
Hamwells Loopz Basic
For mobile lifestyles or situations where permanent installation is impractical, the Loopz Basic provides a compact, portable shower system powered by a 12V DC supply:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Reservoir Size | 6 liters (1.5 gallons) |
| Dimensions | 70 x 70 x 10 cm (27 x 27 x 4 inches) |
| Weight | 7 kg (15.5 lbs) |
| Power | 12 VDC, max 24W |
| Filtration | Sediment filter, micro filter (stops particles >40 microns), UV-C LED (sanitizes bacteria and viruses) |
| Maximum Temperature | 45°C (113°F) for safety |
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The Loopz Basic enables long, comfortable showers using less than one small bucket of water, making it ideal for vanlife, camping, off-grid cabins, or eco-conscious homes.
Benefits of Hamwells Recirculating Showers
The Hamwells systems set a new standard in sustainable bathing by combining high user comfort and robust resource conservation—you don’t have to sacrifice luxury to live sustainably.
- Water Conservation: Up to 90% reduction in water use per shower session compared to standard fixtures.
- Energy Saving: Up to 80% less energy needed to heat water thanks to lower overall water consumption and heat retention within the system.
- Hygiene: Multiple filtration stages, including ultraviolet sterilization, ensure water is clean even after repeated cycling.
- Maintenance: Designed for minimal maintenance, with easy installation and no regular filter replacement required.
- Connectivity and Smart Features: Wi-Fi-enabled functions allow users to track results, stream music, and enable remote servicing and updates.
- Comfort: High-pressure water flow mimics luxury shower experience, even with minimal water use.
How Does Filtration Ensure Hygiene?
Safety and hygiene are critical concerns in any recirculating water system. Hamwells showers incorporate multi-stage filtration for reliable water purity:
- Stage 1: Sediment Filter—Removes large particulates such as hair, sand, and dust.
- Stage 2: Micro Mesh Filter—Captures particles larger than 40 microns, enhancing water clarity.
- Stage 3: UV-C LED Disinfection—Destroys bacteria and viruses using ultraviolet light for safe reuse of water.
While the filtration process effectively sanitizes water, Hamwells advises users to minimize the use of soap, shower gel, and other substances that dissolve readily in water, as these are more challenging to filter out. For optimal results and health, Loopz showers are recommended for personal use only and not shared without changing water.
The User Experience: Comfort Meets Sustainability
Hamwells showers are engineered to dispel the misconception that sustainability means sacrificing luxury. Unlike many low-flow showers, which deliver only modest comfort and low pressure, Hamwells systems mimic the sensation of rainfall showers, with high water pressure and volume. This is possible even while saving massive amounts of water, as each drop is cycled through the system multiple times, continuously cleaned and reheated.
- High-pressure sensation: Provides relaxing and therapeutic shower experience.
- Smart home integration: Tracks water and energy use via mobile apps, communicates with home heating systems for further efficiency.
- Gamification: User behavior can be influenced through visual rewards (e.g., digital tree growth) for increased water savings.
Installation and Maintenance: Designed for Modern Homes
Hamwells has engineered both the e-Shower and Loopz systems for straightforward installation and minimal maintenance demands:
- Versatile placement: Can be built into floors, mounted on walls, placed in corners, or incorporated into off-grid and mobile settings such as camper vans.
- No need for filter replacements: Proprietary filters designed for extended use without costly or frequent swaps.
- Simple setup: Especially with Loopz, powered by 12V, can be assembled in minutes for instant use with only a small reservoir of water.
This ease-of-use makes the technology accessible to mainstream homeowners and eco-minded individuals alike.
Global Challenges: Regulation and Market Adoption
Despite its promise, Hamwells’ journey underscores the complexities of scaling sustainable technology worldwide. Regulations governing recirculating showers vary dramatically across countries, sometimes limiting product availability or necessitating design modifications. For example, production of some Hamwells e-Shower models was discontinued due to regulatory uncertainties in several markets.
Nevertheless, Hamwells products have been adopted by pioneering housing developments striving for net-zero energy footprints, such as the Heijmans ONE prefab homes in the Netherlands. These installations demonstrate the feasibility of energy-neutral living, even for the most water-intensive domestic activities.
Comparing Recirculating Showers to Conventional Systems
| Feature | Standard Shower | Hamwells Recirculating Shower |
|---|---|---|
| Water Use (10 min) | 100 liters (22 gal) | 10-15 liters (<3.5 gal) |
| Energy Use | High | 80% less |
| Comfort | High pressure, high volume | High pressure, high volume |
| Filtration / Hygiene | N/A, single pass | Sediment, micro mesh, UV-C sanitization |
| Digital Features | None | App connectivity, gamification, remote maintenance |
| Maintenance | Standard plumbing upkeep | Minimal – no filter replacement |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How does the Hamwells filtering system work?
The system typically involves three filtration stages: a sediment filter removes large particles, then a micro mesh filter traps smaller contaminants (over 40 microns), and finally, a UV-C LED disinfects the water, destroying pathogens.
This guarantees that recycled water is clean and hygienic for repeated use.
Can I use soap or shower gel with Hamwells recirculating showers?
It’s recommended to minimize the use of soaps and gels, as dissolved chemicals are difficult to filter out. The system works best with limited or no soap, ensuring water purity and easier maintenance.
What is the maximum temperature for the Loopz portable shower?
For user safety, Loopz operates up to 45°C (113°F). This ensures shower comfort without risk of overheating.
Can multiple people shower consecutively with the same water in Loopz?
For optimal hygiene, each shower session should use a fresh batch of water. If the water is shared, dissolved soap and residues may build up.
How do I heat water with the Loopz system when off-grid?
- Use a solar water bag.
- Fill with warm water from a camper hose.
- Mix boiled water with cold inside the reservoir.
- Obtain warm water from on-site facilities.
Future Outlook and Sustainability Impact
Hamwells’ recirculating showers are inspiring a new approach to water use in homes and mobile settings, addressing key challenges in global sustainability. While adapting their technology for diverse regulatory environments remains a hurdle, the sheer scale of water and energy savings signals meaningful progress in everyday eco-friendly living.
By combining engineering ingenuity, smart connectivity, and health-conscious design, Hamwells has set a benchmark for how personal comfort can coexist with responsible resource management. As more consumers and homebuilders prioritize sustainability, systems like e-Shower and Loopz may well become standard fixtures in the bathrooms of the future.
References
- https://newatlas.com/hamwells-e-shower/40976/
- https://hamwells.com/en/product/loopz-basic/
- https://archello.com/product/e-shower-homespa
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrlhwSDFSj8
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xv0GFEfrWvk
- http://www.susted.com/wordpress/content/dissecting-the-average-shower-and-its-impact-on-the-planet-an-invitation-to-collaborate-part-two-the-recirculating-shower-design-elements_2020_03/
- https://www.fordtransitusaforum.com/threads/removable-recirculating-shower.85385/
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