London Aquatics Centre & Kelda
Working in partnership with Engie, GLL and the London Legacy Development Corporation, Kelda has demonstrated water and energy savings from showers of 40% while improving shower performance by 120%.
120%
40%
40%
4.3 tonnes
Project summary
In partnership with GLL Ltd, Engie and the London Legacy Development Corporation (LLDC), Kelda Showers was selected to assess the water and energy-saving potential of their innovative Air-Powered™ shower technology at the London Aquatics Centre, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
A trial was agreed with the decision to install five of Kelda Air-Powered™ showers in the pre-cleanse shower area before entering the Training Pool, and monitor shower usage and water consumption.
The current showers were audited and found to be operating at a flow rate of 8.3 l/min. Kelda’s water-efficient shower panels were set to 5 l/min to ensure 40% water savings without compromising on the shower experience.
Our approach
Kelda Technology is the pioneer of innovative water-saving showers. With superior power to a traditional shower, Kelda’s Air-Powered showers satisfy expectations of both high performance, efficiency and environmental integrity. By applying innovative technology, Kelda can offer a shower solution that, for the first time, can help significantly reduce water and energy consumption, and in the process reduce carbon emissions. And all of this is done without sacrificing user experience.
Kelda Air-Power Technology
Conventional aerating showers rely on the Venturi principle to restrict water flow and draw in atmospheric air through a small hole in the showerhead. While this approach is a valid way to reduce water usage and alter the ‘feel’ of the shower, it offers no measurable increase in spray force or rinsing performance, regardless of flow rate, inevitably resulting in longer showers and more water waste.
In contrast, Kelda’s patented Air-Powered™ technology, inspired by decades of advanced aerospace engineering, injects water into a high-velocity air stream, transforming it into hundreds of MACRO droplets, each up to 2.5× larger than those from a standard shower. The result is a fuller, more powerful spray that delivers the sensation of more water while conserving it, providing a superior showering experience for every user.
Independent patent reviews confirm that there are no competing technologies that challenge or supersede Kelda’s technology.
Installation and Data Logging
Kelda’s innovative water-saving shower panels were installed in the communal shower area before entering the Training Pool (used by members to pre-cleanse before entering the pool). The Commercial Shower Panel TF was specified as it includes a timed-flow digital button, set to 30s, to promote water reduction.
Kelda’s high-efficiency showers also feature kSMART, Kelda’s Shower Monitoring and Recording Technology, a low-cost data logging solution for remotely monitoring showers – allowing customers to monitor and manage shower water usage. This helped to reduce operational costs by understanding when and where water is being used. Data from each shower is transferred seamlessly over the local wireless network and presented on an online portal.
Data Collected (kSMART Feb / March 2020):
– Average shower event duration: 1m 39s
– Average no. of showers/events per day: 86
– Water used per shower event: 8.25 litres (previously 16.5 litres)
Savings and Results
The data collected has unanimously proven that Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers have reduced water consumption by 40%. In a survey conducted by GLL Ltd., 100% of users agreed that water-saving showers should be installed across the entire complex. If the showers were rolled out across the site (56 showers), Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers could help provide:
– Savings: £86,000 / year
– Water Savings: 28,900 m³ / year
– CO2 Savings: 239 tonnes/year
– Return On Investment (ROI): 19 months
All stakeholders agreed that the trial was successful.
It clearly demonstrated a 40% reduction in water without compromising on the shower experience and would enable the London Development Legacy Corporation to achieve its water sustainability targets at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.
Conclusion
Switching to Kelda’s Air-Powered™ showers would also make a significant environmental impact. Saving 239 tonnes of carbon emissions per year is equivalent to removing 161 cars off the road, every year!
Furthermore, the showers installed in the Training Pool area are intended for pre-cleanse purposes only. Showers installed in the changing rooms are expected to be used for much longer periods of time, e.g. gym members washing their hair and body.
If an average showering time of 5 minutes was used across the estate, annual savings are estimated to be £73,400, equivalent to £367,000 over 5 years. This would result in a return on investment of only 7 months (including the cost of product and installation).
Want to discover how Kelda can help?
Related Links
Case Studies: A collection of real-world stories, insights and updates from across our projects and partnerships
Find Out More
Patented eco- friendly Air-Powered Technology: How it works
Find Out More