Clever upgrade puts end to shower steam
Spring cleaning in the bathroom often involves tackling the creep of mould and damaging traces of moisture which have set in over winter.
A bit of scrubbing and a fresh coat of paint keeps problems at bay during the fine summer months but far more sensible is to eliminate the condensation causing problems in the first place.
Shower steam is responsible for much of the excess moisture in a bathroom, billowing as it does from hot showers to settle on mirrors, walls and ceilings before drifting into the rest of the house.
Deteriorating surfaces and cold, damp air result – an environment that encourages fungi and bacteria and can lead to serious health problems.
Showerdome® shower tops put an end to this by preventing steam from forming in bathrooms. It’s a remarkable feat of physics that creates warmer, drier and healthier homes while also lowering power bills.
Available in 13 different sizes, Showerdome® shower tops are an attractive, easy fix which can be fitted to almost any shower in just a couple of hours. Benefits are felt for years, if not decades, to come.
The clear acrylic tops reduce humidity so effectively that air becomes much easier to heat.
Independent research by the University of Waikato has found the reduced need for heating means a Showerdome® shower top can pay for itself within two years.
Dr James Carson, of the university’s science and engineering department, was involved in testing the shower tops over eight months to account for both summer and winter temperatures. With no steam created outside the shower cubicle, he found humidity was successfully lowered and air temperatures sustained.
‘‘Depending on the consumer’s use of electric heaters to preheat or dry out a bathroom, plus their use of heated towel rails, the Showerdome® could save a consumer hundreds of dollars per year,’’ he says.
Showerdome chief executive Maurice O’Reilly says the study reflected the effectiveness of a product made in New Zealand for local conditions.
‘‘Anecdotal feedback from our customers related to savings has shown they have far less use for heaters, mirror demisters, ceiling fans or heated towel rails, thanks to Showerdome.
‘‘Customers have also expressed the benefits in terms of reduced maintenance costs and reduced allergy symptoms,’’ he says. ‘‘Many have said their wallpaper doesn’t peel anymore, mould and mildew doesn’t grow in the bathroom and the house doesn’t feel as damp.’’
Showerdome® shower tops cost $299 plus installation of $135. The domes can also be supplied by themselves to support DIY efforts.
The devices owe their invention to a Tauranga engineer who for years had been battling condensation in his own bathroom.
After hitting upon the idea of managing the flow of moisture by creating a barrier between the hot air of the shower and the relatively cool air in the room, he then worked to perfect the Showerdome® design over several years.
Showerdome® shower tops are now sold around the world.
A lifetime guarantee that the domes will remain crystal clear gives customers confidence they will always have a smartlooking accessory to go with their more comfortable, energy-efficient home.
❚ For a free quote or more information, contact Showerdome South on 03 385 4817 or visit showerdome.co.nz.
Depending on the consumer’s use of electric heaters . . . the Showerdome® could save a consumer hundreds of dollars per year. Dr James Carson University of Waikato