David Lloyd Leisure and Kelda
David Lloyd Leisure is a leading operator of premium health, fitness and leisure clubs across the UK and Europe. Its facilities combine high-quality gyms, tennis courts, swimming pools and spa amenities, delivering a premium member experience.
The organisation is committed to achieving net zero by 2030, with a focus on electrifying its sites through renewable technologies. Energy-efficient shower systems are formally recognised within David Lloyd Leisure’s sustainability strategy, supporting both operational efficiency and long-term carbon reduction goals.
Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers are saving approximately 10,000 litres of water per day at David Lloyd Leisure, Ipswich.
Annual performance impact:
– Water savings: 3,556 m³
– Water cost savings: £8,358
– Hot water energy savings: £5,388
– Carbon emission reduction: 28.7 tCO₂
The Process
We were invited to trial our Air-Powered™ shower technology at David Lloyd Leisure, Ipswich, to assess performance within a high-use leisure environment.
At Kelda, we design water-efficient shower systems that balance high performance with reduced water and energy consumption. Our Air-Powered™ technology uses air to enhance the shower experience while using less water, supporting lower operational costs and reduced carbon emissions, without compromising user experience. Our mission is simple: to make less water feel like more.
Prior to installation, the existing showers at the club were measured at a flow rate of 9.0 litres per minute. Our Air-Powered™ showers were specified at 6.0 litres per minute, while still offering the potential to deliver a high-quality shower experience at flow rates as low as 4.5 litres per minute.
Kelda Shower Monitoring And Recording Technology (KSMART)
A total of 31 showers were installed and fitted with our kSMART data loggers to accurately measure water consumption, shower duration and frequency of use.
kSMART is integrated directly into each shower, providing accurate usage data without the need for expensive sub-metering or additional meters downstream of the main water supply. This enables operators to monitor shower performance and water use in a simple, cost-effective way.
During the monitoring period, kSMART captured 7,045 individual shower data points. This data provided valuable insight for David Lloyd Leisure, enabling a clearer understanding of how much water was being used for showering at the Ipswich Club and supporting evidence-based decisions to improve water and energy efficiency on site.
Analysis of the data showed an average shower duration of 3 minutes 42 seconds, with some members showering for over 20 minutes. Shower usage during opening hours (06:00–22:00) is closely aligned with attendance patterns, demonstrating a consistently high demand for hot water throughout the day.
The Results
By reducing water consumption by 33%, Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers are saving David Lloyd Leisure’s Ipswich Club approximately 10,000 litres of water per day.
Estimated annual savings at the Ipswich Club include:
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Water savings (showering): 3,556 m³
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Water cost savings: £8,358
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Hot water energy savings: £5,388
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Total annual savings (hot water): £13,746
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Estimated payback period: 14 months (product only), 20 months (including installation)
In addition to cost and water savings, Kelda’s water- and energy-efficient showers are supporting David Lloyd Leisure’s commitment to achieving net zero by 2030. The installation is reducing carbon emissions associated with hot water use by 28.7 tCO₂e per year at the Ipswich Club.
The results have been positively received by David Lloyd Leisure, with further rollouts scheduled for 2024.
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