Low-Flow Showerheads
Technology Snapshot & Benefits:
Showers account for 16-25% of the total water use in a typical home. One easy
way to reduce this number and minimize your home's total water usage is to
install a low-flow showerhead on each of your showers. The current standard for
low-flow models is 2.5 gpm (compared to the 5.5 gpm of standard models,
especially those manufactured before 1992). Some models are available with
flow-rates as low as 1.6 gpm, using about 1/4 the amount of water of standard
models. This means that low-flow showerheads can save you 20 to 30 gallons of
water for every ten minute shower you take. Low-flow models are inexpensive,
easy to install and can have substantial ramifications for your home's annual
water use.
In addition to installing a low-flow showerhead, consider taking shorter showers
and turning off the water while shampooing or shaving to help save more water.
Estimated Cost Savings:
Typically, low-flow showerheads cost between $10 and $20 and can be purchased
from your local hardware store. Despite this initial expense, low-flow models
can reduce the amount of water used in the shower by 25-50%, saving families
hundreds of dollars every year. EPA's WaterSense program reports installing a
low-flow showerhead can save families more than 2300 gallons of water a year (EPA).
Issues:
Many consumers are concerned with their showers becoming "weak" after installing
a low-flow showerhead. However, there are many different models available with
various settings that can allow control over the strength of the water flow,
whether it is strong and pulsing or soft and misty. If you prefer stronger
water flow, opt for a laminar-flow showerhead as it creates individual streams
instead the mist that aerating models produce.
Regional Issues:
Some cities and water companies offer low-flow showerheads free of cost as a
part of city-wide water use reduction programs. Check with your local utilities
company and city offices to find out if such a program exists in your area.
Installation (Getting It Done):
Low-flow showerheads can easily be replaced yourself or with the a little help
from your local plumber. When purchasing a new showerhead, make sure its
specifications (threaded or non-threaded, size, etc.) match your current one.
Consider removing the old one and taking it with you to your local hardware
store to ensure you get a proper match. Look for models that have earned the
EPA's
Water Sense label
to ensure the highest quality and greatest efficiency. Once you purchase the
showerhead, simply take it back home and follow the manufacturer's instructions
for install. Usually this just requires removing the old head and screwing in
the new one. Make sure there is a tight seal to prevent leakage. Consider
purchasing a rubber washer to slip between the showerhead and pipes to make sure
it is a tight fit. For more installation tips and a step-by-step guide, check
out the video below from Sierra Club Green Homes.
Videos on This Topic:
Low-Flow Showerheads
(2:55) - Sierra Club Green Homes -
As water
conservation is a rising concern for homeowners, it is important to reduce water
use wherever possible. One great, inexpensive way to do this is by installing
low-flow showerheads that can save around 8000 gallons a year. In this video,
find out more about how much this $10 product can save you and get a
step-by-step guide to easy installation.
More Information on This Topic:
EPA's WaterSense Label - Showerheads
U.S. Department of Energy - Energy Savers - Water Heating
American Waterworks Association - Water Use Statistics