The habit of enjoying taking long showers can easily run up your bill and also be wasteful in terms of water use. However, if you were to convert to using a recycled water shower system, then you could enjoy your long showers guilt-free. The recycled shower system can help to cut hundreds of dollars from your water bill each year.
Space-Efficient Design: Inspiration from Astronauts
The shower was originally designed by Swedish industrial designer Mehrdad Mahdjoubi, referred to as OrbSys (Orbital Systems). The design was influenced by designs used for space travel, where astronauts will reuse the same water over and over again. This design is a closed-loop system that helps you to drastically cut down on your water consumption. The system effectively purifies the shower water that drains at the bottom to drinking standards and is cycled up to the shower head again.
How the OrbSys Shower Reduces Consumption
In a standard 10-minute shower, you can easily use up to 150 liters (40 gallons) of water. The recycled water system only requires minimal re-heating and uses roughly 5 liters (1.3 gallons) for a 10-minute shower. This is 90 percent less water, and it requires 80 percent less energy, helping you to save hundreds of dollars in savings each year.
“In an extreme environment such as a space mission to Mars, design concepts are brought forward to use all of the possible resources to make it there and back. I don’t see any reason why we can’t be as efficient on Earth as we can be in space. I want to get it to as many people as possible. That’s the next step. It’s not just about saving water. The motivation is to be smart about how we use our planet’s resources.” said the designer, Mehrdad Mahdjoubi.
Smart Technology for Eco-Conscious Consumers
Unlike conventional models, the OrbSys shower comes with a touchscreen that is embedded in the wall. This allows the users to check the status and adjust the temperature and water flow to their own needs. The floor of the shower is also designed like an access panel; this way, homeowners can lift up the bottom in order to replace the filter if needed. In the future, the company hopes to find more locations to test its shower technology; maybe one day, it will be used for kitchen sinks, drinking fountains, and other uses.
Patent Innovations and Superior Filtering
The Orbital Systems design patent application describes a system that has a pre-filter and a primary filtration device consisting of a nano-ceramic filter. This type of filter looks similar to a traditional pleated filter. However, the pores are so small that they can apparently even trap viruses and other minuscule contaminants.
The patent also describes a pump, heating element, flow meter, water reservoir, water quality sensor, and other components. After your shower is over, the water is then released into your home’s sewer pipes. There are similar showers on the market that aim to conserve water, but the OrbSys model is far superior in flow rate and overall quality.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that, in the US alone, showering consumes trillion gallons of water per year. Although the vast majority of water use is agricultural and industrial in nature, saving water and filtering viruses is definitely positive; it just doesn’t solve all our water problems.
Conservation Beyond the Bathroom: Future Opportunities
The OrbSys recycled water shower system offers a sustainable solution to excessive water use and high energy bills associated with long showers. With its innovative design and efficient water purification process, it not only helps to save hundreds of dollars in water bills but also significantly reduces water consumption and energy use. By implementing this system, individuals can enjoy guilt-free long showers while contributing to the conservation of our planet’s resources. The potential for broader application of this technology in various settings holds significant promise for a more sustainable future.
