Water conservation is extremely important across the world. Drought stricken areas restrict water usage both inside and outside of the home. In other areas where water usage is not so strictly regulated, homeowners still try to conserve water whenever possible. One of the easiest ways to do that is to buy faucets that control the water flow, making it more efficient and less wasteful. New faucet designs are being created that not only control the speed and volume of the water being dispensed, they are doing so in ways that result in very unique and beautiful flows. The new “Swirl” faucet is one of the most efficient faucets ever made and is proving to be environmentally sound.
Faster Flow
Two separate turbines within the faucet itself allow water to flow faster and more efficiently through the plumbing. Because the water is divided up into separate channels, less pressure is needed to send it through the faucet. The result is a softer, yet faster flow of water that puts less pressure on objects placed within its path. The volume of water released is 15 percent less than with a conventional faucet, that uses pressure to force water through the system. One of its best water saving features, the Swirl system uses two rotors to slowly spin the water, creating unique patterns and reducing the volume of water dispensed with each use. One of the developer's main claims is that over the span of 60 seconds, less water is released than with a conventional faucet.
Preset Temperature
The new Swirl faucet also produces water at a preset temperature. While this may seem frivolous, water normally comes out of the faucet at a much cooler temperature than is needed. A person may run the water for several seconds before the water is warm enough for their desired purpose. The ability to preset the temperature allows the user to choose one that is most often used, reducing the need to run the water for long periods of time. The temperature of the water can be adjusted as needed, if the person's needs change over time.
Unique Water Patterns
The cascading, lattice patterns are created by numerous holes within the faucet head. As the turbines within the faucet spin, the water is gently fed through the different holes, causing the different patterns to appear. The holes are drilled at slightly different angles causing the water to fall in the direction the holes are made. The rotation of the turbines also have an impact on the patterns the water creates as it leaves the faucet. Some people speculate the unique patterns created by the softly falling water, may actually cause people to leave the water running for longer periods of time so they can watch the different flows.
The Swirl faucet is only in the planning stages, but if what the designer says is true and his claims can be proven, it offers many water saving features to homeowners who want to beautify their kitchen while, at the same time, saving one of our most precious natural resources. Water conservation is becoming a key element in the design of new faucets and plumbing, especially for areas in which water usage is restricted according to state mandated laws.
Simon Qiu designed the innovative faucet and eventually won the IF Student Design Award's 2014 Haier Prize. His water saving design caught the attention of the German-based organization that holds the contest. As one of 25 winners, Qiu was recognized for both the beauty and function of his product. With the award under his belt, Qiu is now in search of funding so that he both verify the claims he has made and eventually put his water saving Swirl faucet into production.
