Having identified growing demand for electric showers that deliver attractive aesthetics, maximum sustainability, and space-saving potential without compromising on performance, Triton has unveiled the new ENVi shower range. Karen Wise, head of product development, discusses the research and development process that led to its creation. 

The frequent commissioning of consumer research is central to new product development and design. With our most recent research having highlighted appearance, sustainability, and space-saving as key consumer priorities when selecting a shower, a clear direction of travel for an innovative new product soon emerged. Pair this with key legislative drivers focussing on efficiency, such as tighter energy efficiency standards in Part L, and the ENVi electric shower was born.

Using feedback gained, we were able to ensure that style, sustainability and space saving were all at the heart of the project and established a set of objectives which helped to avoid ‘project creep’ – a term used to describe a project that moves away from the original brief. Of course, it is also vital that any new product is commercially viable, i.e. affordable for developers, installers and, most importantly, the end customer.

Saving space in style

Available in three on-trend finishes – black, copper and silver effect – and with shower head variations including a dual outlet option, ENVi is Triton’s response to the demand for electric showers that maximise both space and style. This is achieved by an electric shower heater box, Tri-Hub, being located anywhere up to 3m away from the control panel. By doing so, it can be installed in a surrounding loft space or an airing cupboard, allowing the sleek and minimalist finish that homeowners desire in the bathroom itself.

Ease of installation is another of the new shower’s key benefits. Once final prototypes were available, we invited a group of installers to our Nuneaton HQ to gain feedback on the proposed product. This was fundamental in fine-tuning its design to better meet installer needs, and led us to include elements such as captive screws in the Tri-hub (which may be installed in unlit environments) and installation support QR codes on the Tri-hub itself.

Sustainable solution

As sustainability works its way up the list of consumer priorities, manufacturers have a responsibility to keep this at the core of their product development. Triton’s dedicated sustainability manager supported our project team by providing expert analysis, calculating the unit’s carbon footprint and suggesting how it could be reduced further, right from the start of the design stage.

We have gone to even greater lengths to mitigate environmental impact by collaborating with ClimatePartner, an organisation that embeds climate action into corporate activity. ENVi is Triton’s first ClimatePartner certified product and we expect future products to carry those credentials as we continue to innovate. 

User Control

Another observation from our consumer insights exercise was the desire for users to be able to personalise their experience and have more control. Set apart from other solutions available on the market, ENVi hosts a digital display control panel which enables users to adjust water temperature, set a timer and easily monitor their personal water and energy usage. It also offers thermostatic functionality for temperature stability.

The control panel accommodates up to six user profiles and also features an eco-mode, making it simple for users to reduce water and energy usage by showering for less time. 

Energy saving

Electric showers naturally use less water than mixer options, due to the way they function. They have long been an energy-efficient choice for homeowners, drawing on a cold mains supply to heat water on demand. Building on these foundations, the category is continuing to evolve with ENVi as the next generation of electric showers marking a significant milestone for the bathroom industry. 

ENVi is an A-rated appliance, which means that 96% of the product’s total energy usage goes towards the delivery of water. However, user behaviour is also key to ensuring energy and water saving is achieved. Installers can play a vital role in educating end users on how to use their systems more effectively. Directing consumers to our energy and water savings calculator is also a great step to help consumers better understand their habits.

For example, if one per cent of UK households reduce their daily shower time by one minute on average, over 673 million litres of water could be saved – equivalent to 270 Olympic swimming pools. It would also reduce nearly 6.7 million kg CO2e, equivalent to removing 3950 cars from the UK’s roads. 

The next generation

This next generation of electric showers looks set to be a genuine game changer for the way installers fit and homeowners use their products. The creation of showers that are sustainable by design and that also influence user behaviour is likely to set new standards when it comes to product performance and efficiency. 

With ENVi technology, users will have the autonomy to make positive, habitual changes to their routine which will ultimately benefit their finances as well as their environmental impact.