With the rise in multi-generational living, selecting a showering solution accessible to all is vital. Karen Wise, Head of Product Management at Triton Showers, shares the key considerations when specifying inclusive electric care showers.
Over recent years, an unprecedented spike in the cost of living has led to a shortage of affordable homes across the nation. Coupled with the UK's ageing population, this has resulted in a significant increase in multi-generational living.
Research conducted by Aviva at the start of the decade revealed that one in three homes are now multi-generational and given the countless economic challenges the country has endured since then, this figure may now be much higher.
The government's pledge to deliver 1.5 million new homes over the next five years, with half classified as affordable, indicates a long-term solution is on the horizon. However, it's important to specify products that cater to residents of all ages, particularly in the bathroom.
Selecting an inclusive solution can make showering the safe and accessible task it should be, but what should purchasers consider when choosing an electric care shower?
Inclusive showering with Omnicare
First and foremost, it's essential to look out for the innovative features a shower is equipped with.
Triton's Omnicare range of electric showers provides a stylish and inclusive solution for everyone in the household. The latest addition to the portfolio is the Omnicare Ultra+, which has been carefully designed to become the pinnacle of inclusive showering.
One of its standout features is the audible confirmation, which assists visually impaired users by signalling when the shower starts and stops. This attribute is testament to the appliance's accreditation from the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Every model in the Omnicare range is operated with a soft press of the appliance's stop/start button, which is followed by a 'power on' illumination for further reassurance. With an extended riser rail and two metre anti-twist hose, Omnicare has been manufactured to assist showering regardless of whether the user is standing or seated.
The perfect temperature
Maintaining a safe water temperature is among the most serious considerations to ensuring a comfortable shower. While hot water poses a risk to us all, the effects can be more severe for demographics like elderly residents or those with physical or sensory impairments.
Regulations state that 46°C should be the maximum temperature of water coming from an outlet, however the British Burns Association recommends 37°C to 37.5°C, and that extra precautions should be taken for vulnerable cohorts.
All showers in the Omnicare range feature Care Mark approved thermostatic temperature controls, which are on hand to prevent sudden drops in water temperature, regulating within +/-1°C through its unique Tri-Therm feature.
Smart compatibility
The Omnicare Ultra+ is also compatible with Whale's Instant Match Digital Pump. Using Bluetooth technology, the shower and pump are automatically paired as soon as the shower is powered on, and the pump removes wastewater from the shower tray where gravity draining is not possible.
What's more, the shower will also switch off instantly if power to the pump unit is cut for any reason, helping to prevent the risk of flooding.
Thanks to its small footprint, the pump can be installed in a variety of accessible locations, such as the loft or an airing cupboard, making it easier and faster for installers to fit and maintain. The long seven metre pairing distance also provides extra flexibility when siting the pump.
Extended accessibility
Triton's entire Omnicare range allows shower durations to be set at five, ten, twenty, and thirty minute intervals, assisting people with conditions like dementia or autism. This can be set at the commissioning stage by installers, with the shower entering a phased shutdown once it is either manually or automatically switched off.
The manufacturer offers a range of accessories that can further prevent the risk of slips, trips, and falls. Multi-purpose grab riser rail kits can be installed to support people who may be unsteady on their feet and remove start/stop control allows operation from outside a cubicle.
Sustainable specification
Sustainability is an industry-wide priority, and the anticipated arrival of the Future Homes Standard next year is set to formalise its impact. The impending legislation will set out to ensure that the next generation of housing is prepared for a low-carbon future, and electric showers have a role to play in achieving this.
Electric showers have long been an energy efficient choice, drawing on cold water mains to heat water on demand. Triton's latest research discovered that an electric shower costs nearly a third less to run than a mixer shower, reducing carbon footprint by 70% in the process.
The findings were based on a five-minute shower and compared an 8.5kW electric model to a mixer fed by an A-rated combi boiler outputting 12 l/min. The analysis also demonstrated that end-users have the chance to reduce energy usage by 76% and save more than 40 litres of water per shower.
Compared to a mixer shower, electric showers can save more money, water and energy. Electric showers, like the A-rated Omnicare Ultra+, cost nearly a third less than their mixer counterparts each year. They can also save up to 52,000 litres of water annually when compared to alternatives.
Earlier this year, Triton was honoured with a King's Award for Enterprise, recognising its outstanding commitment to Sustainable Development, which places sustainability at the heart of its long-term business strategy and Net Zero ambition. This year, Triton is just one of 29 organisations to be recognised nationally for its contribution to driving sustainable action.
Future-proofing the bathroom
With multi-generational living on the rise, it's crucial that houses are suitably specified to improve lives at home. As one of the busiest rooms in the house, the bathroom is key to this effort. Opting for a manufacturer, like Triton, that offers a range of efficient showering solutions designed to meet all needs can help purchasers go the extra mile.
It's just as important to consider ongoing service, maintenance support and aftercare, as doing so allows property managers to remain well-equipped if something should go wrong.
Click here for more information about Triton and its Omnicare range of energy efficient thermostatic electric care showers.