How would you define low-flow shower heads? It is a showerhead that will make your home more water-efficient by decreasing the volume of water we waste. Shower heads obviously do not influence how long your shower will be; however, they can aid in saving money on heating the water. In actuality, heating water is the average home’s second-biggest energy cost. After cooling and heating costs, this accounts for fifteen percent of your energy bill for the majority of homes. Also, we certainly realize that hot water gets utilized in more than just showers, such as our dishwashers and washing machines. For instance, you may save close to $60 a year by washing your clothing in cold water. Even a dishwasher that’s energy-efficient is also beneficial.
Old Shower Heads Use 4.2 GPM
Let’s face it, we all want to save money, and most of us want to save water, especially here in the Inland Empire, CA, where water conservation is the talk of the town. The best place to start is our shower heads. Old showerheads use 4.2 gallons of water per minute (GPM). The average shower head uses 2.5 GPM, so that an eight-minute shower would use about twenty gallons of water. And that’s if you’re taking an eight-minute shower.
We Can Save Money by Replacing Old Showerheads
We have compelling arguments for investing in our water conservation endeavors. It is possible to save some money by replacing old showerheads and faucet technology with the latest energy-efficient low-flow shower heads. Continue reading to learn more about low-flow shower heads and how to choose the finest one for your family and budget. While you’re at it, consider a low-flow toilet.
The Best Way to Pick a Low-flow Shower Head
- Choose a showerhead with a flow rate of no more than 2.5 GPM.
- Then, choose between an aerating and a laminar-flow showerhead.
- Aerating is the process of combining water and air to produce a mist-like spray.
- A showerhead with laminar flow features several streams of water.
The finest low-flow showerheads often have flow restrictors built into them. In order to manage the proper amount of water flow you require, it’s based on your preferred water pressure settings. The flow restrictor will dictate how much water goes through the pipes.
Before you engage in making an energy-efficient showerhead purchase, educate yourself on the product. Number one is to consider the showerhead’s flow rate. Not that long ago, we were using water at a 4.2 GPM with our showerheads—some dating further back used as much as 5 to 8 gallons of water per minute. That works out to 64 gallons per shower–––Crazy! So, as per current federal standards, a shower head cannot have its flow rate greater than 2.5 GPM or a water pressure greater than 80 pounds per square inch (PSI).
What is a Showerhead’s Flow Rate?
Here is how to figure out a shower head’s flow rate:
- Put a 1-gallon container under the showerhead (or one with marks for every gallon point).
- Start the shower.
- Then keep track of how long it will take to fill up your bucket to the 1 gallon. In this instance, less is better.
- You aren’t utilizing a water-efficient shower head if it takes less than twenty seconds for your bucket to fill to the gallon mark.
This is how one expert determines flow rate:
- 4 GPM will take 15 seconds to fill 1 gallon.
- 6 GPM will take 10 seconds to fill 1 gallon.
- When using a low-flow showerhead, it should take 24 seconds gallon bucket to fill in at least 24 seconds using a genuine low-flow shower head.
Why Is It Vital to Use Energy-Efficient Low-flow Shower Heads?
Water-efficient low-flow shower heads will save you money and contribute significantly to California and the Inland Empires’ water conservation. Of course, using a low-flow showerhead might not seem that significant in the bigger picture. Still, those saved gallons, along with other water-saving products, will make a tremendous difference, especially if you live in drought-prone areas such as the Inland Empire.
The Water Supply Benefits from Energy-saving Low-flow Shower Heads
Water conservation safeguards priceless supplies of drinking water. Despite the fact that the earth is covered with the ocean, people cannot drink salt water unless it has gone through a lengthy, costly desalination procedure. As a result, fresh water is becoming a scarce resource, and both in the United States and across the world, polluted water is an issue.
Taxpayers Will Pay for Developing Methods of Producing Clean Water
Taxpayers will pay for clean water one way or another. However, in the long run, the expense of developing new methods of producing clean water will be passed on to the taxpayer through the city or municipality where you live.
Choosing the Ideal Low-Flow Faucet
Naturally, a talk on the top low-flow showerheads wouldn’t be right without also covering how to select the finest low-flow faucet for your bathroom and kitchen sink. In addition, there are techniques to reduce water consumption even though you have a low-flow faucet. For example, when you run the faucet, you should make it a priority to use the water sparingly; for instance, don’t run the water when shaving or brushing your teeth.
Consider a Faucet with the WaterSense label
WaterSense is a sponsored program conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Choosing a showerhead or faucet with a WaterSense label is one way to ensure that the faucets you are picking are low-flow models. The products are supported by third-party certification and adhere to EPA water efficiency guidelines. A WaterSense certification is comparable to the EnergyStar label on appliances. Low-flow faucets with the WaterSense logo might be up to 20% more effective than other versions.
Picking the Right Shower Head or Faucet
How to pick the most suitable low-flow faucet will depend on your budget. But, again, you’ll have a wide variety of price points and styles to choose from. An automated shut-off on an energy-saving showerhead might be a big help, especially for those parents with teenagers who require constant reminders to take shorter showers. Other models include automated shut-offs that will turn the water off after a specified length of time or water flow, or even some low-flow faucets including foot pedals that may be used to operate them.
Reduce the Water Flow by Using an Aerator
More advice for low-flow faucets and energy-efficient showerheads is as follows: Maybe your current faucet is still in good shape; you may also buy a separate aerator for a few bucks, which will save you water and money. Aerators with the WaterSense label are available, and they are far less expensive than new low-flow faucets or water-saving showerheads. One of the best methods to boost water saving is to add an aerator to the faucet or showerhead. Replacing your aerators is an easy process. However, shower heads could be much more efficient, especially when installing an aerator with a one gpm or less flow rate.
Share Your Ideas with Others
Always share your water and energy-saving strategies with those around you. Spread the word. Keep in mind that conserving water benefits everyone—including future generations. Being aware of energy-saving low-flow shower heads, faucets, and other water-saving techniques may significantly impact your wallet and most importantly, the environment.
