Your shower head likely isn’t something you think much about – until you notice that your water bill seems to have been consistently rising over the past several months. Even when you’re trying to cut down on your water usage, however, it can be easy to underestimate just how much water you’re using on a daily basis. In fact, showers are the third largest use of water (17%) in most homes, so making some simple changes can be an easy way to reduce your usage – and your bill.

What Can You Do to Conserve Shower Water?

The average shower lasts about 8 minutes but consumes about 17 gallons of water. When you multiply that by multiple showers per week, 52 weeks per year – and factor in the cost of heating all that water – it’s easy to see how reducing your per-shower water consumption can make a big difference in your bills. So, how can you do it?

While shortening your average shower time is one easy way to reduce your water consumption, you can only realistically cut so much time before you begin wondering how clean you’re getting. Fortunately, another technique provides you with a much more set-it-and-forget-it water saving solution – replacing your shower head with a water conserving shower head. 

How Effective are Water Conserving Shower heads?

Newer water conserving shower heads can flow at a rate of 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) or less, a serious upgrade from the average shower head on the market, which must – by law – flow at a rate of no more than 2.5 gpm. Over time, the water savings truly add up – especially if your home is old enough to feature shower heads manufactured before the 1990s, which sometimes release as much as 5 gpm.

If you have an older shower, consider upgrading to one of these two types of water conserving shower heads:

• Laminar-flow shower heads split your water flow into multiple, smaller streams, conserving water while providing you with plenty of water pressure.
• Aerating shower heads combine water with air, providing a misty stream with increased water pressure.

Do You Still Have Water Use Concerns?

If you switch to a water-conserving shower head and continue to experience higher than expected water use, you may have a hidden leak or another plumbing issue that needs addressing. If this is the case, don’t hesitate to contact Efficient Plumbing – our expert technicians can help you address any issues and return your system to peak performance.