
NowShower Frequently Asked Questions:
Showering in recycled water..................isn't that Yucky?
No Way!
The NowShower is much cleaner than a conventional bath.
You can quickly and easily switch back to a conventional shower.
You can rinse with un-recycled water before and after the NowShower.
Just like in a conventional shower, new water enters the shower as an
equal amount drains away, but only after it has made a few extra trips
through the showerhead.
Some people are 'grossed out' by the idea of showering in
recycled water before they have actually tried it. If you are of this
opinion, we might never convince you otherwise. If obvious sanitary
practices are observed (do we really need to tell you what they are
?!) the water in the NowShower is clean and refreshing in the same was as a conventional shower.
The NowShower concept is about changing our prejudices and preconceived
notions to adapt to a future with less fresh water. Be daring! Take a
NowShower! Become a part of the solution to the H2O problem. You will
discover that it's a better, more enjoyable way to shower.
Will the NowShower reduce my water bill?
Maybe a little. Most water coming from municipal sources is heavily
subsidized, meaning you only pay a small fraction of the actual cost of
the water in your water bill, so potential savings may be small.
Will the NowShower save water in my home?
That's hard to say. The NowShower is a tool and, as with all tools, the
results depend on how they are used. The NowShower can definitely save
water if you shower in the same amount of time as you do
with a conventional shower.
In actual practice, the NowShower improves the shower experience
and you may want to stay a bit longer. The NowShower
definitely gives you more bang for the buck. Getting 3 times the shower
flow is a big benefit that you will certainly enjoy.
I understand the NowShower can save water. Is there any other reason to buy it?
To those of us who use the NowShower every day, the attraction is in getting more.
By increasing the shower flow by a factor of three (about 4 gpm) the
experience is greatly improved. Instead of drips and drops, as with a
regular low flow showerhead, the NowShower covers your skin with a
continuous sheet of water. It's much more enjoyable than the stingy,
stinging, chilling shower usually associated with saving water.
Most people quickly learn that using the NowShower with liquid bath
soaps is great. Recirculation creates a lovely, sudsy aromatherapy
atmosphere. It's a great way to wash.
What's the deal with the filter? Does it purify the recycled water?
The filter in the NowShower is a simple screen. Most of what it removes
from the recycled water is textile fiber from your clothes and
washcloth.
The nature of the NowShower system will not allow 'purification'
of the water as extensive filtering would stall the Jet Pump and
require lots of filter maintenance and expense.
Remember that water flows into and then out of the NowShower....... just like in a conventional shower.
I still don't get it. How does this thing recycle water?
The active element of the NowShower is a Jet Pump. It's a very
simple device, with no moving parts, and is housed in the Jet Pump
Showerhead. The pressure of the incoming water powers the pump. It's a
lesson in freshman physics. A focused jet is directed through a venturi
creating suction. Viola', you are pumping water from the tub and
through the showerhead.
Where can the NowShower Not be used?
The NowShower is a pump powered by water pressure. Less pressure means
less pumping. The NowShower works best at 50 to 60 psi of inlet
pressure. We do not suggest using the NowShower if your inlet pressure
is less than 40 psi.
The NowShower is a small 'system' that includes a couple of gallons of
water. The heat that keeps this water warm enough for a comfortable
shower must come from the incoming water. If the water coming out of
your water heater is not hot, then you may not be able to keep the
water in the shower warm enough for comfort. This is not normally a
problem but if you have an 'unconventional' water heater, such as
unassisted solar, you may not have enough heat energy per gallon to
keep the system warm enough.
How does the Drain Plug work?
The included Drain Plug sits atop
your existing drain. It has a small dam that creates a very shallow
pool of water in the tub. The pool is less than 1 inch deep. Water from
this pool is collected by the Water Pickup and pumped back through the
showerhead by the Jet Pump. Once the pool is formed, excess water
drains out keeping the water level steady.
There are times when you will want
to dump all of the water in the system, such as when you have finished
washing with soap. Do this by first reducing the water temperature to
lukewarm and pushing the Drain Plug away from the tub drain. This
allows the gallon or two in the system to drain out. Replace the Drain
Plug to form a new pool and restart the NowShower with new water.
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