It is generally accepted that you will save water by showering rather than bathing. Additionally, showering is considered a healthier option since you have a constant stream of fresh water flowing over you, rather than wallowing in your own dirty water. However, if you shower for a very long time or haven’t installed a water-saving, water-efficient, or low-flow showerhead, the savings—if any—might be minimal.
According to C3, a non-profit organization based in Alberta that is working to transform energy usage, showers account for about 22% of all the water used (both hot and cold) and as much as two-thirds of just the hot water used in the average Canadian home. A family of four that takes short, five-minute showers uses about 70,000 liters (or 15,400 gallons) of water each year. If you extend your shower to 10 minutes, you can easily double your water usage. But C3 notes that by spending between $8 and $90 (depending on the showerhead you choose), you can reduce your hot water usage by more than a third.
Choosing the Right Showerhead
There are various types of showerheads designed to save water, including low-flow showerheads and low-flow, high-pressure showerheads that don’t use the same flow restrictors as the original low-flow models. These not only reduce the amount of water used while showering but also limit the amount of energy needed to heat the water. By using less water, you’ll save both water and money.
Water-efficient showerheads generally look very similar to most ordinary showerheads, but they restrict the water flow in some way. While a regular showerhead can use up to 45 liters (10 gallons) of water per minute, even early water-saving models will use a maximum of half that amount. Today, most water-efficient showerheads have a flow rate of just 9 to 14 liters (2 to 3 gallons) of water per minute. Some newer models claim maximum flow rates of just half a gallon or about 2 to 3 liters. This shows how far technology has come in the past two decades.
However, C3 warns that you shouldn’t blindly trust claims of energy-efficient, low-flow, water-saving, or water-efficient showerheads. Always check the packaging for the specified flow rate. If no flow rate is specified, it’s better to choose another product.
Interestingly, C3 does not consider a showerhead with a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute to be water- or energy-efficient. They recommend looking for a maximum flow rate of no more than 1.5 or 1.6 gallons per minute.
One of the brands recommended by C3 is Bricor, a Californian-based company.
Some Interesting Brands
Bricor (www.bricor.com) uses a patented VACUUM flow “booster” valve for its showerheads. This technology aerates and compacts the water under pressure. As the water exits the showerhead, it expands and vibrates, creating a powerful stream at a very low flow rate—around 1.25 gallons per minute or less. This innovation helps solve low water pressure issues that typically cause weak flow. The intensity of the water flow improves shower performance, while using less hot water, which reduces both water and energy costs. Additionally, because the droplets are compacted and highly energized, the likelihood of mineral crystals forming scale is greatly reduced.
Another Californian company, Jet-Stream (www.jet-streamshowerhead.net), produces a 1.5-gallon-per-minute showerhead that uses an air chamber to create turbulence by mixing water and air. Since there is no mineral deposit buildup (for the same reasons mentioned above), the manufacturer claims the showerhead is “self-cleaning.” This product comes with a 20-year replacement warranty. Additionally, it features a patented design that maintains a constant pressure of 1.5 gallons per minute, regardless of water pressure, from 15 to 120 psi (pounds per square inch). The average water pressure in Canadian homes is about 50 psi.
Oxygenics (www.oxygenics.ca) specializes in high-performance, water- and energy-saving showerheads. Their patented technology uses the Venturi principle of fluid mechanics to increase water velocity. This makes the water flow through the showerhead faster, improving water pressure, even though less water is used. Oxygenics showerheads also inject oxygen into the water, giving your skin a rejuvenating feel.
Oxygenics offers a wide range of showerheads, all of which are guaranteed against clogging and come with a lifetime warranty. They even offer a model that works well with very low, variable water pressure. The Oxygenics X-Stream model automatically adjusts using a gravity-based, free-flowing drop system. An internal spring expands and contracts based on water pressure and velocity, making this model “the world’s first hybrid conservation shower.” Even better, the showerhead cap is adjustable, allowing you to customize the spray pattern to your liking.
Evolve has developed a patent-pending technology called ShowerStart, which they have incorporated into a new line of energy-efficient showerheads, including a “lower-flow” model. Evolve’s innovation takes human behavior into account. The company recognizes that many people waste gallons of water while waiting for their shower to heat up. With Evolve’s new design, the showerhead reduces the water flow to a trickle once the water reaches 95 °F (35 °C). You can then restart the flow when you’re ready to begin showering.
So, if you’re looking for green products for your new home, be sure to add a water-saving showerhead to your shopping list.
