The showerhead is one of the most common household devices. It is an integral part of many people’s routines, but can also be wasteful and inefficient.
Low-flow shower heads are an effective way to save water without sacrificing too much convenience. They are a simple, inexpensive solution that can help conserve water and save money over time.
A low-flow shower head works by using a flow restrictor, a small device placed in the shower head. The restrictor limits the amount of water that can flow through the shower head, thus reducing water usage.
This is a great way to reduce household water use and save money on your water and heating electric bill. It uses less water than a conventional showerhead without compromising comfort or pressure.
The flow restriction comes from the small holes in the spray face of the nozzle, which restrict the amount of water that can pass through.
Another way to reduce shower pressure and water usage is to install a flow regulator, which can be installed in place of your current showerhead.
The shower provides comfort and relaxation after a long, busy day. That’s why choosing the right showerhead is so important. Choosing the right low-flow shower head will help you save more on your water bills while still maximizing the satisfying feel of water pressure.
Add a low-flow showerhead to your bathroom for daily water savings of up to 40 percent. The added advantage that you’ll likely save energy and lower your monthly heating costs is just a bonus that will have you looking forward to turning on the shower each day.
How Much Water Does A Low-Flow Shower Head Save?
Old model shower heads that are before 1992 can use 5 – 5.5 gallons per minute. Even some modern shower heads out there can drain 3 – 3.5 gallons per minute. So, if we consider the average shower time of 8 minutes per person in a house, the water will consume approximately 10080 gallons per year per person.
But if you use a low-flow showerhead with 2.25 GPM, it would be approximately 6480 gallons of water used in a year. That will make a big difference at the end of the year if we still count the average shower time as 8 minutes per person per day. So low-flow showerhead can save you the use of water (10080-6480) = 3600 gallons per year per person.
Types Of Low Flow Shower Heads
Low-flow showerheads can reduce your water consumption by as much as 55 percent and are easy to find.
Choose Between Three Types:
Aerating: Best for areas with low water pressure and lots of humidity, this type mixes air and water for a wide spray.
Laminar: Appropriate for humid climates, this fixture breaks the flow up into individual streams to reduce steam.
How Do You Know If You’re Using The Right Showerhead?
First, check to see which flow rate you currently have; chances are it’s between 2.5 and 5.0 gallons per minute (GPM). That amount would be considered high-flow. If you have any of those, consider upgrading to modern low-flow models that would save you both money and water use.
How to Choose the Right Low-Flow Shower Head?
When you are in the process of choosing your low-flow shower head, find the flow rate on the package. You will see both volumes (GMP) and the shower head’s output pressure(PSI).
As to the Govt. rules, the showerheads must deliver no more than 2.5 gallons per minute (GPM) at 80 pounds per square inch (PSI). So when it comes to the low-flow shower head, it should have a flow rate lower than that Govt allowed level.
Choose a low-flow shower head with a WaterSense label. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense label means that the low-flow showerhead you’ve selected has achieved substantial water savings compared to standard flow rates, so you’ll be conserving one of our most precious resources. And because it ensures more efficient water use, you’ll also enjoy annual cost savings on your heating bills.
