If you own an RV, then you know how important water conservation is when it comes to your shower. Since showers are notorious for wasting large amounts of water, most people find themselves looking for a good alternative to the standard shower. That is where shower water recirculating systems come in.
An RV shower water recirculating system is a plumbing installation available for RVs and homes that is designed to preserve water and heat by circulating water that would otherwise be wasted. This circulated water is pumped back up the shower head instead of down and out the drain. This allows for minimal water waste and the preservation of energy.
In this guide, we will talk more about how exactly a recirculating shower works and why they are a great option for an RV. By the end of this guide, you will have all the information you need to know whether a recirculating shower system is right for you.
Table of Contents
How Does A Recirculating Shower Work?
A recirculating shower works by utilizing a small water pump that collects shower water and recirculates it back up to the shower head. Different brands will have their own unique technology behind this process.
Once the water has been pumped, it is usually filtered through some time of cleansing process before it reaches the shower head and is pumped back out. During this process, no heat is lost due to the piping system that most recirculating showers use that retains heat from the water.
The pumping and recirculating process work in real-time to allow for a waste-free shower. This a general explanation of how recirculating showers work but you will need to read the user manual for specifics depending on which brand you have installed.
How Much Water Does A Recirculating Shower Use?
The average recirculating shower only uses 10L of water per shower. This is a major difference between a regular shower which can average around 10L per minute. It is possible for a recirculating shower to do this because of the pump that collects the water after it drains from the showerhead and filters it back up to be used again.
In addition to saving gallons of water, a recirculating shower will also save money on energy costs. It is estimated that a recirculating shower only uses one-tenth of the energy per shower than a standard one. This could add up to hundreds of dollars saved a year, depending on how much hot water you usually use.
Are Recirculating Showers Safe?
Recirculating showers are thought to be extremely safe when utilized properly. To ensure the safety of y our recirculating shower, you will first need to ensure that it has been installed properly. For this reason, most people will choose to have their recirculating shower installed by a professional
Of course, you can attempt to install it yourself if you have the tools and knowledge to do so. Another thing that must be taken into consideration is the quality of the water as it passes through your recirculating shower’s water pump.
It is vital that you also install a recycled water filtration system to ensure that the water is clean once it is pumped back up to the showerhead. Most recirculating shower systems come with some form of recycled water filtration system included.
Most of the issues with recirculating shower systems arise when someone has attempted to install a DIY system in their home or RV. These DIY recirculating shower systems usually lack the proper sanitary precautions necessary to ensure the water is filtered properly for use.
This leads to grey water, which is water that has been down the drain in a shower, being pumped back up to the shower head. It is a fact that using grey water to bathe is considered dangerous and in many areas installing a shower system that uses grey water is illegal and could result in fines.
As long as a recirculating shower system is installed correctly and has a recycled water filter, there is no reason to think that it would be unsafe. We always advise consulting a professional before any major home installations to ensure all the proper precautions are taken.
Are Hot Water Recirculating Systems Efficient?
Hot water recirculating systems are extremely efficient. When installed correctly, a hot water recirculating system could save you hundreds on your water and energy bill. Since hot water accounts for a large portion of most people’s energy bills, being able to reuse previously heated water will make a huge difference.
A hot water recirculating system ensures that the hot water heater is switched off once the water has reached the optimal temperature. Once the hot water heater has turned off, the recirculating system retains that heat for the duration of the shower.
This will also cut down on the amount of time spent waiting for the water to heat up. It is during this time that the most water is wasted during a shower. The recirculating system will send any standing water in the hot water line back to the water heater and return it much faster.
Overall, this is one of the most efficient plumbing systems that you can install in your home. While there are other ways to preserve water, this is by far the best in most cases.
Evershower Review
Evershower released one of the most advanced portable recirculating showers ever in March of last year. The Evershower Ensuite Tent allows you to shower using recirculated water anywhere you go, which is great for camping.
It comes with a 12v portable pump that can pump up to 25L of water a minute and is quick to set up. It is compatible with most portable water heaters or can be used with a solar-heated shower. It has quickly become one of the most popular portable showers ever released.
The pros and cons of the Evershower Ensuite Tent are as follows:
Pros
- The recirculated shower water means that you will not run out of water due to the pump circulating any wasted water back to the showerhead.
- The shower is self-contained, meaning that the water is contained inside the shower.
- The shower has an extremely impressive flow rate of 25L per minute, which is generally much higher than most other portable showers on the market.
Cons
- The cost is the only notable downside associated with this shower. It can be quite expensive but since it has so many features and works so well, most people do not find it hard to justify the price.
Final Thoughts
We hope this guide has been helpful in teaching you all you need to know about RV shower water recirculating systems. If you are interested in saving water and energy, then you should consider having one installed as soon as possible.
A recirculating shower system uses only around 10L of water per shower. When compared to the 10L per minute of a standard shower, it is easy to see how it could save you money in the long run. It is best to consult with a professional for your installation as they will have all the tools and knowledge needed to safely install your system.
Nick Lopresti is the founder of YourH2Home and a home improvement expert. He has years of experience writing about various home improvement topics, mostly as it pertains to water systems.
