Cleaning up: An efficient approach for estimating showerhead savings

Conference · Mon Aug 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994

OSTI ID:10181041

Warwick, W M ^[1]; Hickman, C ^[2]

---

1. Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
2. Bonneville Power Administration, Portland, OR (United States)

Determining energy savings resulting from the installation of energy-efficient showerheads has been attempted using a variety of methods. Household-level results from previous methods range from 0 to 2000 kWh of annual savings. The Bonneville Power Administration (Bonneville), through Pacific Northwest Laboratory (PNL), has recently developed a showerhead savings estimation method which we believe is superior to any that have preceded it. This improved method takes into account all major variables that impact savings. The result is a user-friendly algorithm that will benefit any utility attempting to balance its energy resource portfolio. The PNL energy savings method was developed as a result of two studies. The first study involved sub-metering 85 homes that are geographically dispersed throughout Bonneville`s service territory. In each of these homes water heating energy use was recorded for one year prior to and one year after energy-efficient showerheads were installed. Water flow rates were also recorded in the showers of each home before and after replacing the existing showerhead with an energy-efficient showerhead. Other characteristics were also recorded, including water pressure, demographics, and age of home. The second study involved laboratory testing of all of the showerhead brands and models rated at 2.0 and 2.5 gallon per minute (gpm) offered through Bonneville`s showerhead program. These tests were performed at 12 different pressure settings. Within the pages of this paper resides the most comprehensive method for determining energy savings from efficient showerheads to date. Key factors found to have the greatest impact on savings--pre-existing showerhead flow rates, the flow rate of the efficient unit, and the fraction of showerheads replaced in each participant home--are also discussed.

• Research Organization: Pacific Northwest Lab., Richland, WA (United States)
• Sponsoring Organization: USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
• DOE Contract Number: AC06-76RL01830
• OSTI ID: 10181041
• Report Number(s): PNL-SA--24510; CONF-940893--6; ON: DE94018453
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

20 FOSSIL-FUELED POWER PLANTS
200600
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
320106
BUILDING EQUIPMENT
ECONOMIC, INDUSTRIAL, AND BUSINESS ASPECTS
ELECTRIC POWER
ENERGY CONSERVATION
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
FLOW RATE
METERING
POWER DEMAND
SHOWERS
WASHING
WATER FAUCETS
WATER HEATING