Let’s face it: there’s nothing like a hot shower to get your day off to a good start. But have you ever thought about how much water you’re using—or wasting—while you enjoy that blissful morning moment?
It may surprise you to learn that making one simple switch can make a huge difference in the amount of water your shower uses. Introducing the benefits of adding a WaterSense shower head to your bathroom!
1. Reduced water usage
When you install a WaterSense shower head in your bathroom, you are impacting your water usage in the best way. With a standard 2.5 gallons-per-minute (GPM) shower head, you are potentially wasting up to 17.2 gallons of water each time you take a 10-minute shower.
By contrast, installing an EPA WaterSense certified showerhead with a flow rate of 1.75 GPM or 2 GPM can dramatically cut down on your water usage, lowering that 10-minute shower’s volume by 5 gallons and 6 gallons respectively — that means less energy is used to heat the water and more of it is left in our reserves for other purposes.
There are certain features to look for when selecting a Watersense shower head that could meet your needs and conserve the most amount of water possible:
- Look for an adjustable nozzle with multiple spray options
- Find out what the maximum flow rate is; if it is listed as ‘Low Flow’ or an equivalent phrase, it should be around 2 GPM or lower
- Determine what type of technology is being used; some offer innovative designs that go beyond just saving water, such as disabling temperature settings or adding additional capabilities like music playback
- Compare prices and brands before deciding on the best option for you
2. Lower water bills
Source: bobvila.com
Adding a WaterSense-labeled showerhead to your bathroom fixtures can help you save on water and sewer bills, as well as conserve this important natural resource. By reducing the amount of water used for each shower, WaterSense-labeled showerheads use at least 20% less water than regular models, helping homeowners save money on their water bills.
In fact, one WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save the average family up to 2,900 gallons of water over the lifetime of the product! Installing a WaterSense-labeled showerhead is an easy way to quickly reduce your household’s monthly utility bill while improving our environment.
3. Reduced energy consumption
This is an easy, yet highly effective way to reduce energy consumption in the bathroom. By using just 2.0 gallons per minute (GPM) of water or less, these showerheads can save up to 7,300 gallons of water and $100 annually for a household of four compared to the standard showerhead used today which flows at 2.5 GPM or more.
Additionally, you can help save energy associated with heating water by installing a WaterSense labeled heater-type flow regulator that fits inside the existing plumbing in a hot water system – this device keeps the temperature of hot water constant while limiting flow rates to no more than 2.5 GPM.
4. Reduced greenhouse gas emissions
Replacing an existing showerhead with one that is certified by the Environmental Protection Agency’s WaterSense program can have a real and measurable impact on the environment. According to WaterSense, replacing older, inefficient fixtures, like showerheads, with products certified by their program can reduce the carbon footprint associated with heating and distributing water in buildings.
As much as 70 percent of the energy used in your home is consumed by heating hot water. If even a fraction of this energy is saved by using more efficient fixtures this can translate into reduced greenhouse gas emissions from using electricity or burning fuels to heat water for use in showers and baths. Improved insulation along with improved efficiency from lower flow rates from WaterSense-labeled products will result in significant savings of energy and greenhouse gases that would otherwise be produced for providing hot water for bathroom purposes.
5. Improved air quality
Many of these shower heads have built-in aerators that streamline water flow while evenly dispersing the water output and generating a more powerful spray. This not only saves you money on your water bill, but it also purifies the air in the bathroom. The high-pressure spray and even dispersion keep mold, mildew, and bacteria from forming in areas where they are commonly left after using a normal showerhead.
With improved air quality comes fewer allergens and greater overall health benefits. This means you can breathe easier every time you enjoy a hot shower without worrying about potential health hazards in your own bathroom!
Source: elledecor.com
Installation Tips
To maximize the efficiency and performance of your WaterSense-certified showerhead, it is important to follow a few installation tips:
- Be sure to read and follow all installation instructions carefully. This will help ensure that your shower head is properly installed and operating at peak performance.
- Replace the supply hose while you are at it, as older hoses may contain leakage points which can decrease the efficiency of your new WaterSense model.
- Prior to installation, check that the water supply line is free of blockages. Any blockages could reduce water pressure and reduce the utility savings associated with your WaterSense-certified model.
- Ensure a snug fit when installing any plumbing fixtures or components. This ensures a tight seal which helps minimize the wastage of water due to leaks or drips.
Conclusion
In conclusion, installing a WaterSense® showerhead is an investment that will quickly pay for itself by reducing your water and energy bills. Not only does this showerhead save money, but it will also help to preserve precious resources and reduce your home’s environmental footprint.
If you’re looking for an easy way to save energy and help the environment, then a WaterSense® showerhead is a great choice. With its sleek design and user-friendly features, one of these devices could be just the thing you need to give your bathroom an upgrade. With so many models available, it’s easy to find one that suits your style while saving you money and keeping the environment in mind.
