FAQ

Testing reveals ShowerStart’s’ “trickle mode” adds, on
average, 9.5 – 12.75 psi of back-pressure to the line running
from the mixing valve to the showerhead vs. the back-pressure
created by a showerhead operating at its normal flow.
In no circumstance does ShowerStart’s “trickle mode” create
back-pressure greater than the incoming water line pressure
and is, on average, 11% lower than that threshold.
Is ShowerStart compatible with tankless heaters?
The statement indicating ShowerStart is not for use with tankless hot water heaters was included several years ago per the request of a
California utility. They requested its inclusion as a means of mitigating a potential customer satisfaction issue relating to the fact that
tankless systems require a minimum flow rate to produce hot water and flow drops below this threshold when ShowerStart is in trickle
mode. As a result a brief, yet significant, change in the shower’s water temperature may occur shortly after resuming the shower’s
normal flow.
Subsequently, at the request of the utility, Evolve Technologies conducted a survey in November of 2009 to determine the impact of
this potential temperature fluctuation on user satisfaction. . 9% (41/475) of the respondents indicated they were using ShowerStart
with a tankless hot water heater. Of that group, 10% (4 respondents) referenced a temperature fluctuation when given an opportunity
to comment on issues or complaints, yet those respondents gave their Evolve Technologies product a good or excellent overall
satisfaction rating. The four also indicated they were likely or very likely to purchase the product again.
The California utility requesting the inclusion of the “NOT for tankless” language has subsequently incentivized home builders such
as KB Homes to purchase and install products with ShowerStart in their new builds containing tankless water heating systems.
Additionally it appears as if the potential for a temperature fluctuation is being further mitigated as newer generations of tankless
systems with improved recovery times and lower flow rate minimums enter the marketplace.
Have ShowerStart’s savings been validated?
Major utility companies have written engineering work papers and conducted pilot field studies on ShowerStart and now use it in their
largest income qualified and market rate conservation programs. We encourage you to review their information as well as our
quantification of behavioral waste derived from data captured by Lawrence Berkeley National Labs. LEARN MORE