Showerheads for Conserving Energy

The Mechanics

• A low-flow showerhead won't impact the quality of a shower, but it will use less water to achieve the same ends. In the past, low-flow shower heads weren't just synonymous with lower water bills but also with lower water pressure. Newer models have a mechanism inside that mixes the water with air to create a shower stream that has a similar feel to showerheads that use more water. The mixing of air and water not only reduces water usage, but the air increases the pressure behind the shower flow. Some types of showerheads can also be paused. This allows users to turn off the shower while they are doing things that don't require water use, such as lathering up their hair. At the same time, they will not need to readjust the temperature or wait for hot water upon resuming their shower.

Impacts

• The amount of water saved will depend on the lengths of showers taken. According to the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission, a low-flow showerhead will typically use about 2.5 gallons of water every minute, while an older, less efficient model will use anywhere from 5 to 7 gallons a minute. This means that a low-flow showerhead can save as much as 55 gallons of water during the course of a 10-minute shower. For a family of four that each showers once a day, this can amount to a monthly savings of 6,600 gallons of water. This can also mean saving between 50 and 70 percent of the family's water usage, which will translate to considerable savings when the energy bill comes.

When to Replace

• Low-flow showerheads are relatively inexpensive and easy to install, making this a simple way to conserve water. The first low-flow showerheads were available in 1992, but these are considerably less efficient than current models. Replace the showerhead if it predates 1992, and replacing even some of the earliest models can make a marked difference in not only the energy bill but in the efficiency of the shower. For anyone unsure of how old their fixture is, time how long it takes the shower to fill a 1-gallon bucket. If the bucket is full in less than a minute, replace the showerhead to see some serious savings.

Shower Extras

• Replacing a current showerhead with a more efficient model will result in some other benefits. Old fixtures can leak and waste gallons of water every week, while a new showerhead can solve this problem. Replacing the old showerhead with one that uses less water will not only help conserve water, but it will also make the hot-water tank work less. Less hot water will be pumped through the shower, less will need to be heated, and there can also be a drop in the gas or electricity as less is used to supply the same amount of showers.