FAQ - Frequently asked questions

The 5 most frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Amphiro and their products?

Although Switzerland and Central Europe are water-rich regions, many people are unaware of the amount of energy required to heat water. 16% of the energy used in a household can typically be attributed to water heating – the majority of which is used to shower and bath. As a comparison: cooking and lighting account for approximately 5% of energy requirements in a household.
Amphiro products allow you to get an overview of your hot water consumption in the shower. This way, you can monitor your efficiency goals or simply develop a feeling for your personal energy usage when showering. This information helps you use heat energy in a conscious way and motivates you towards a more sustainable use of valuable resources. For example, Amphiro can help a 3-person household to reduce their annual water and energy consumption by an average of 645 kWh heat energy as well as 11’500 l drinking and waste water – that amounts to savings of more than 20% when compared with original consumption.

How do people save water and energy with Amphiro?

Amphiro products display water and energy consumption during and after showering. The user is thus provided with all the information required for greater awareness of energy consumption – without being dictated to by automatic fittings or flow limiters.

Understand how Amphiro works

Can I connect my Amphiro device and transfer data with any smartphone?

All Amphiro products may be connected to mobile phones, as long as the smartphone in question has Bluetooth 4.0 or a later version. This is the case for all Apple phones from version 4S. You can also synchronize your data with many new Android devices, however we are not yet able to ensure that this works for all Android phones.

Will I receive a shower hose with my new Amphiro product?

A shower hose is not included when you buy a new Amphiro product. You can use the hose of your choice, that best fits your installation, design and style.

I have young children. Can I install an Amphiro device in my shower?

Of course! Under normal circumstances, Amphiro products cannot be opened by hand. Prior to and during installation of you Amphiro device, make sure small children do not get hold of small parts, which could be swallowed or inhaled. Once installed, normal shower precautions apply.
The Amphiro device should only be installed and removed by an adult.

How do I clean my Amphiro device?

Clean your Amphiro device with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the device in water and do not use any abrasive or corrosive cleaning agents or limescale removers (scouring agent, vinegar etc.). This could damage the device.

Shipping, payment and cancellation

Shipping

Receive your new Amphiro device delivered to your door, in only a few business days.
*Free shipping to most countries:

Switzerland & Liechtenstein
Free shipping on all orders
4-6 business days

Germany, Austria, Netherlands
Free shipping on all orders
2-3 business days

Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Italy, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden
Free shipping on all orders
6-8 business days

Singapore
Shipping: 19 EUR
15-20 business days

Payment methods

We want to make your experience with us easy and secure, and we accept the following payment options*:

  • All common credit cards
*Unless otherwise specified in the respective product description.

Cancellation policy

Customers have the right to cancel their contract within fourteen days, without giving reasons.
The cancellation period is fourteen days from the day upon which the customer or a named third party, who is not the carrier, acquires or acquired material possession of the goods.
To exercise this right of cancellation the customer must inform Amphiro (Amphiro AG, Badenerstrasse 60, 8004 Zurich, info@amphiro.com) of their decision to cancel their contract by means of an unambiguous statement (e.g. a letter sent by post or email). The customer may make use of the standard Right of Cancellation form which has been included down below, however it is not required.
The timely dispatch of your notice of cancellation shall be deemed sufficient for compliance with the cancellation term.
Consequences of cancellation
If the customer cancels their contract, Amphiro will return all payments received from the customer, including delivery costs if applicable (with the exception of the additional costs arising from the customer choosing a different type of shipping than the standard, most cost-effective one offered by Amphiro), immediately, or at the latest within fourteen days from the day on which Amphiro received the the product back in the original packaging and in working conditions.
The same payment method used for the original transaction will be used by Amphiro for repayment, unless Amphiro have explicitly agreed upon another method with the customer. Under no circumstances will the customer be charged any fee for this repayment. Amphiro will not proceed with the repayment until the goods have been returned to them.
The customer is obliged to send back or hand over the goods in the original packaging in order to receive their money back:

For returns from Germany
Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Staake
Kapuzinerstraße 16
DE-96047 Bamberg

For returns from Switzerland
Amphiro AG
Badenerstrasse 60
CH-8004 Zurich
The customer is only liable for any diminished value of the goods if this diminished value is the result of handling that is not necessary to check the quality, properties and operation of the goods.

Right of Cancellation sample form
Should you wish to cancel your contract, please fill in this form and send it back to:
Amphiro AG
Badenerstrasse 60
8004 Zurich
info@amphiro.com
Please include the following information:
I hereby cancel the contract concluded by me for the purchase of the following goods(*)/the provision of the following services(*):

  • Ordered on(*)/received on(*)
  • Name(s) of the consumer(s)
  • Address of the consumer(s)
  • Signature of the consumer(s) (only required if letter is sent by mail)
  • Reason for revocation
  • Date
(*) Delete as applicable

General questions

How do I clean my Amphiro device?

Clean your Amphiro device with a damp cloth. Do not immerse the device in water and do not use any abrasive or corrosive cleaning agents or limescale removers (scouring agent, vinegar etc.). This could damage the device.

Where does the energy/water saving effect come from when using Amphiro products?

Numerous studies have shown that an attractively designed consumption meter promotes the necessary awareness and motivates users to become more economical in their use of drinking water. Users learn how to better estimate and control their own impact on the environment.
Participants in two different studies saved over 20% water and energy using an Amphiro device shower consumption meter.

Which water and energy consumption values are displayed?

The device displays the water (liters) and energy (kWh) consumption of individual showers as well as the current shower temperature (°) and energy efficiency class (A+ to G-). After a short interruption, such as to apply soap, the device continues to count. Only after a long interruption of three minutes or more, does the device switch itself off and begin to measure again from zero.

How can I easily further reduce my energy and water consumption?

Energy consumption when showering depends on the temperature of the water as well as the volume of water being consumed. Simply put, the hotter the water, the more energy is needed to heat it; and the more water you use, the more energy-rich water will go down the drain.
The volume of water is essentially influenced by two factors: the duration of the shower and the flow rate on the other.
1. The longer you shower (using hot water), the more water and energy are consumed.
2.The higher the water pressure coming out of the shower head, the bigger the amount of water used during a single shower.
Apart from keeping one’s showers short, using modern water economisers or water-efficient shower heads designed to reduce the flow rate, can significantly save both energy and water.

How can I easily further reduce my energy and water consumption?

Energy consumption when showering depends on the temperature of the water as well as the volume of water being consumed. Simply put, the hotter the water, the more energy is needed to heat it; and the more water you use, the more energy-rich water will go down the drain.
The volume of water is essentially influenced by two factors: the duration of the shower and the flow rate on the other.
1. The longer you shower (using hot water), the more water and energy are consumed.
2.The higher the water pressure coming out of the shower head, the bigger the amount of water used during a single shower.
Apart from keeping one’s showers short, using modern water economisers or water-efficient shower heads designed to reduce the flow rate, can significantly save both energy and water.

Do Amphiro products impact the water flow?

Ever so slightly. For showerheads with a high flow rate, slight reductions in the flow of water may occur. For modern showerheads, only a very slight fall in pressure should be perceptible, if at all.

Are showers counted separately if people shower within a short period of time?

If someone starts a new shower before the display of the Amphiro device becomes blank (3 minutes after the water has been switched off), the device will calculate this as one single shower.

Are all Amphiro products waterproof?

Amphiro products have been cleverly designed to be entirely waterproof. It may be exposed to water running from the showerhead or fall into the water. However, it should not lie permanently in water.

Can people with a cardiac pacemaker use Amphiro products?

The device contains a small permanent magnet, similar to earphones, which do not contain any warning notices. As a precautionary measure, however, we recommend that people with a pace-maker refrain from using Amphiro products or consult their physician beforehand.

Who is behind Amphiro?

The device was developed by Amphiro AG, a spin-off company of ETH Zurich, Switzerland. The ac-companying research was carried out by researchers at ETH Zurich as well as at the universities of Bamberg and Bonn, Germany and the National University Singapore. Numerous accompanying re-search projects have been supported by the Swiss Federal Office of Energy (SFOE).

Installation

Do Amphiro products fit all shower types?

Amphiro products will fit almost every commercially available, hand-held shower hoses, as long as they are conform to international standards (1/2-inch thread). Installation on fixed showerheads is not recommended. For showers with several showerheads, only the water consumption of the shower where the device is installed will be taken into consideration.
Some showerheads have a 3/8-inch thread. Should you require an adapter connector for a 3/8-inch thread, please contact us.

Can I connect my Amphiro device directly to the taps (i.e. between the tap and the shower hose)?

Amphiro products must be mounted on the outlet side of the shower hose: between shower hose and hand shower for the Amphiro b1 connect and replacing the existing hand shower for the Amphiro Digital Hand Shower.
For the amphiro b1 connect, make sure the device is facing up once installed, with the Amphiro logo above the screen. Improper installation of the device, may result in water ingress into the device and permanent damage.

I am having issues installing my Amphiro device. What could be the reason for this?

For correct installation, please refer to the user manuals (Amphiro b1 connect or Amphiro Digital Hand Shower).
Possible reasons (all Amphiro products)

  • The thread of your shower hose is not standard. Should you require a connection adaptor, please contact us.

Possible reasons (b1 only)
  • The device is the upside down: the Amphiro logo must be above the screen once installed.
  • The filter is in the way and prevents you from screwing the hose properly: unscrew the device completely, make sure the filter is placed in the center of the hose and try installing the device again.

Display content

What does kWh mean?

Kilowatt-hour.
A kilowatt hour is the amount of energy required to power a 1’000-Watt device for 1 hour.
For example, with 1 kWh it is possible to:

  • operate 1 energy-saving lamp (15 W) for 66.6 hours (15W x 66.6 hours = 1000 Wh = 1 kWh)
or
  • operate 1 conventional television (183 W) for 5.5 hours (183 x 5.5 hours = 1000 Wh = 1 kWh).

How accurate is the displayed energy consumption?

The displayed energy consumption (in kWh) is merely an indicator of the amount of heat contained in the hot water. The displayed number takes an average heating efficiency of 65% into consideration, covering heat losses occurring while heating the water as well as while transporting the hot water.

How accurate is the water consumption meter?

The meter has an accuracy +/- 8% at a typical flow rate of 11 liters/minute. Larger deviations may occur at other flow rates. If you identify larger deviations, please contact us.

What is the meaning of the polar bear?

The polar bear animation is intended as a reminder of the long-term effects of energy consumption and the resulting CO2 emissions. As you know, high energy consumption accelerates climate change and endangers habitats for wildlife as well as people. Households significantly contribute to global energy consumption and CO2 emissions, with a growing tendency.
Once your Amphiro device is turned on, you will see either one polar bear on an ice shell (b1 connect) or 5 little polar bears (Digital Hand Shower). The longer and/or the hotter you shower, the faster the shell or bears disappear.
Will you help us save the polar bear?

Automatic shutdown and disconnection of shower processes

How does my Amphiro device work without external power supply or batteries?

Amphiro products do not contain any batteries and work with no external power supply. The necessary energy is generated by the water flow driving a small turbine inside your Amphiro device. It switches itself on at each shower as soon as you turn the water on, charging a small capacitor, which also keeps the display on for a few minutes after the end of the shower. As soon as this energy is consumed, the display switches off.

Will the display stop working if I turn off the water to use soap?

Breaks of less than 3 minutes do not cause the device to stop working or the display to turn off. Water consumption occurring after a short break will still be calculated as the same shower.

Can I manually switch off my Amphiro device to start a new measurement (from zero)?

No, it is not possible to manually turn off Amphiro products. To start a new measurement, simply wait three minutes until the device switches itself off. Once the display turns blank, you can start the water again to start counting from zero.

Digital Hand Shower only
The LED will stop working immediately upon turning the water off to save energy and keep the display running. It will come back to life as soon as you turn the water back on.

I sometimes also draw water from the bath tap or through an overhead shower. Will the device show the complete water consumption?

Amphiro products can only count water flow from the outlet on which it is installed. The water consumption from a different showerhead can therefore not be taken into consideration.

Device/display malfunction

My Amphiro device/its display is no longer working. What can I do?

If you installed your device as described in the manual, but it no longer displays any values, please contact us and describe your issue in as many details as possible. Our team will get back to you as soon as possible.

Letters or numbers are not displayed properly, segments/lines are missing. What is wrong?

If the display of your Amphiro device in not working properly, please contact us.

My Amphiro device does not work at all. What can I do?

Should you want support in making your device work, please contact us.

Should you want to send the device back for a guarantee claim, please use the following address and do not forget to mention your name and address and to include a short description of the error.

For returns from Germany

Otto-Friedrich-Universität Bamberg
Prof. Dr. Thorsten Staake
Kapuzinerstraße 16
DE-96047 Bamberg.

For returns from Switzerland
Amphiro AG
Badenerstrasse 60
CH-8004 Zurich

Area of use

Can I also use the device outside of the shower, to measure flow and energy quantities?

All Amphiro products were designed and built to be used in shower installations only, it is therefore not recommended for use in other areas.

amphiro b1 connect

When my Amphiro b1 connect is fitted to the shower hose, the display faces the wall. How can I rotate the device to see the display properly?

First, slightly loosen the union nut (screw connection) between the short installation hose and the shower head (a quarter or half rotation is sufficient).
You can now turn the device on the installation hose to the desired position. Now hold the installation hose or the showerhead in place and turn the screw connection (union nut) tight again with the other hand.
Do not attempt to rotate the device without first loosening the screw connection; this can damage the installation hose or screw connection.

There is water inside the display or the display is foggy. What should I do?

Please avoid immerging your Amphiro device in water for extended periods of time. The fog should disappear by itself after a few hours in a dry place. If there is water in the display, please contact us.

Water is coming out of the connecting pieces. What can I do to stop it?

It is likely that the O-ring or the small filter is missing.
Unscrew your device completely. You should find a flat rubber ring of gum the same diameter as the hose as well as a small filter/sieve. Please refer to the user manual, in the section “Included in delivery” if you are unable to identify them.
The convex side of the sieve/filter should be facing into the device. Should your device miss one or both parts, and should you be unable to retrieve them from the check the box in which your Amphiro device was delivered, please contact us.

What do the letters on the top left of the screen mean?

They stand for the energy efficiency class.
Every shower starts out in the energy efficiency class A+ (= low consumption). With increasing hot water user while showering, the energy consumption increases, rank-ing your shower down the energy efficiency classes from A+ to G-.

How are the energy efficiency classes defined?

They relate to the typical energy consumption of a shower. “A” means low energy consumption, while “G” means an extremely high consumption of energy for a shower.

Why do I sometimes score a better energy efficiency class while using more water?

The efficiency class is calculated from the temperature and the flow rate. For example using 42 litres and showering at 30 °C will put you in efficiency class B-.
However using 42 litres and showering at 37 °C will put you in efficiency class C. What is “normal” consumption?
The energy efficiency class is an initial indication of whether your energy consumption while showering is low (A) or high (G). At a water temperature of 37°C, the following applies: less than 25 litres per shower means you belong to the most economical households in Europe; above 36 litres and you are considered to be a big energy consumer.

Resellers, distributors and utility companies

Can Amphiro deliver large quantities of their products?

Should you wish to order 10 Amphiro devices or more, please contact us.
Volume discount may apply.

What are the calcification risks?

The risk for calcification is very low. In case of any unlikely calcification, the functionality of the device is not affected. In contrast to normal shower heads, the water inside the amphiro a1 basic and amphiro b1 connect can not evaporate leaving limestone and calcification.
To prevent limestone and calcification on the outside of the device, we suggest to wipe off the water after taking a shower as it is also recommended by the manufacturers of faucets and other sanitary installations.