FAQ

Does ShowerStart increase the risk of scalding?
Evolve Technologies has conducted testing to determine the impact of ShowerStart on water temperatures high enough to quickly
scald bathers.
Testing consisted of monitoring, recording and comparing the showering temperatures of a 1.5 gpm WaterSense certified showerhead
with and without ShowerStart. The following fixed parameters were used:
• Water heater set point of 140F
• ½ in. copper plumbing-run of 31 ft. 7 in.
• Ambient air temp of 65F
• Shower turned to full-hot upon start up
• Temps measured 18 in. from showerhead
• User enters shower after 150 sec.
The 31 ft. 7 in. plumbing run was derived from data presented by Oak Ridge National Lab in its 2004 “Evaluation of Residential Hot
Water Distribution Systems by Numeric Simulation” paper. The calculation considers cold water purge times for clustered events as
well as completely cold draws and assumes a weighting of 10% new construction and 90% existing homes. The run holds 1.67 gallons
of water.
Measuring the water-on-body contact temperature 18 in. from
the showerhead is consistent with the WaterSense standard for
spray coverage testing. As a result, readings were taken from this
distance.
Assuming bathers enter the shower after 150 seconds, the
presence of ShowerStart lowers the initial water-on-body contact
temperature by 15F – it takes an additional 70 seconds for the
water to reach 133F (the temp of the water exiting a showerhead
without ShowerStart installed). This “safety factor” provides
time for users to lower shower temperatures before scalding
occurs.
Additionally, the “safety factor” extends the time of exposure before burns will normally develop. At 133F (initial on-body-water
temperature without ShowerStart) 2nd and 3rd degree burns develop on adult skin in as little as 30 seconds. With ShowerStart
installed these types of burns would normally occur after 5 minutes of exposure.