Revolutionizing Water Savings: A Deep Dive into ShowerStart® Technology
As water conservation becomes increasingly crucial, innovative solutions like Evolve's ShowerStart® Technology are making waves. TRM updates are underway across the country making the incorporation of auto diverting tub spouts more appealing for utility programs, driving significant savings and a great end-user experience while promoting sustainable practices.
By understanding how ShowerStart® and ShowerStart® Express work, utilities can make informed decisions about incorporating these solutions into their conservation programs, ultimately benefiting both the environment and their customers.
We sat down with Alan Work, a seasoned Sales Executive originally from the Evolve Technologies team, to learn more about how ShowerStart® and ShowerStart® Express can support water-saving initiatives.
Interviewer: Before we dive into the deep end, can you tell us about your career and how you got into energy efficiency?
Alan: I got into EE entirely by accident. I contacted a lifelong acquaintance who was the CEO of what would become Evolve Technologies. He asked me to help him find a market for a product they had developed some years prior but hadn’t had any significant success in selling. Within about 6 months we got that product – the thermostatic shower valve - added to a few utility programs in California and under evaluation by some other programs in the Pacific Northwest and Mid-Atlantic. After an initial year of consulting, I joined the company as their head of Sales and Business Development and stayed in that role until the company was acquired by AM Conservation about 12 years later.
I started my career working in Operations, Marketing and Business Development roles before founding companies in various industries including technology and healthcare.
Interviewer: Alan, can you explain how ShowerStart® Technology and ShowerStart® Express Technology work, and why each is so effective?
Alan: Absolutely! ShowerStart® Technology automatically pauses the flow of water when it reaches bathing temperature, and you simply pull a cord to resume normal flow, saving water and energy effortlessly. ShowerStart® Express Technology speeds up hot water delivery, making it arrive up to three times faster, and then pauses the flow at bathing temperature. When it’s integrated into a tub spout, it also seals off the tub spout to prevent diverter leaks. This combination ensures efficient water use and energy savings.
Interviewer: That sounds simple yet effective. What sets ShowerStart® apart from other water-saving technologies?
Alan: The user-friendly design is a big factor. For instance, many people turn on the shower and then leave to do something else, like brushing their teeth. When they return, the shower is hot, but a lot of water and energy has gone down the drain—about a minute's worth per shower. Using this technology, you can save hot water without changing your routine, making it a practical and convenient addition to any bathroom.
Interviewer: Let's talk about the differences between ShowerStart® and ShowerStart® Express. How do they serve different markets?
Alan: While both products share the same core principle, they target different markets. The ShowerStart® Express Tub and Shower System is perfect for multifamily and hospitality markets, where maintenance crews can install these units across a complex to maximize savings and prevent issues like flooding. On the other hand, the ShowerStart® TSV3 is ideal for single-family residential use. It's designed to meet the needs of individual homeowners through marketplaces, kit programs, and residential direct install programs.
Interviewer: And what about the ShowerStart® Express Tub and Shower System?
Alan: The ShowerStart® Express Tub and Shower System is great for rebate programs on utility marketplaces, direct install programs for residential and multifamily properties, and commercial offerings like hotels. It elevates bathroom efficiency with its advanced tub spout and showerhead combo. Featuring ShowerStart® Express technology, it warms up showers up to three times faster, reducing both wait times and water waste. Plus, it saves up to 15 gallons of hot water per shower while delivering a luxurious experience with high-pressure sprays.
Interviewer: That's impressive. How can utilities benefit from incorporating these technologies?
Alan: In places like Illinois, where TRM updates are underway, incorporating auto diverting tub spouts, such as the ShowerStart® Express Tub and Shower System, into programs can drive significant savings and promote sustainable practices. ShowerStart® Technology, used in products like the ShowerStart® TSV3 and ShowerStart® Multifunction Showerhead, offers a powerful solution for driving water and energy savings, making it a smart choice for utility conservation programs.
ShowerStart® Express Technology, featured in the ShowerStart® Express Tub and Shower System and ShowerStart® Express Tub Spout, speeds up hot water delivery and prevents tub spout diverter leaks. By understanding how these technologies work and the differences between ShowerStart® and ShowerStart® Express, utilities can make informed decisions about incorporating these solutions into their conservation programs, ultimately benefiting both the environment and their customers.