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The hot water that many of us take for granted can account for a substantial portion of a household’s total energy costs – as much as 25%. In many cases, showers can be the largest single contributor to overall hot water use in a home. Even a modest 10-minute shower can use up to 190 litres (42 gallons) of hot water with a conventional showerhead. A low-flow showerhead can reduce this by half, or even more, without sacrificing the "feel" of the shower. There are a wide variety of low-flow showerheads available, including hand-held and designer models. AffordabilityReplacing a conventional showerhead with a low-flow model – as inexpensive as $15 – is usually a very quick and simple job. The payback for installing low-flow showerheads is almost immediate, depending on the frequency of showers. Cost savingsA family of three may take almost 1,000 showers per year. If conventional showerheads were replaced with low-flow options, you could save 26,600 litres of hot water and between $80 and $100 annually on your energy costs, depending on whether you use natural gas or electricity to heat your water. Health & comfortNew low-flow showerheads reduce water use without sacrificing the quality of the shower. Many low-flow models feature multiple flow settings. Environmental considerationsLow-flow showerheads save energy and water. If 10,000 B.C. households switched to low-flow showerheads, the annual energy savings could power 300 Canadian homes for a year. |
How does a low-flow showerhead work?
By restricting the flow and forcing the water through very small apertures, these showerheads aerate and increase the velocity of the water, creating a very fine but "wet" feeling spray pattern. While a conventional showerhead uses 18 to 27 litres or more per minute, the low-flow type uses approximately 9 to 11 litres per minute, with some models using even less.
Are there different types of low-flow showerheads?
There are two basic types of low-flow showerheads: aerating and non-aerating.
Many are equipped with a push-button shut-off valve, which allows the user to interrupt the flow of water while soaping up, saving even more. Vancouver residents can pick up water saver kits at City Hall for only $12 (retail value $30). Kits include a shower flow-rate tester, low-flow showerhead, tap aerators and a toilet tank displacement bag.
Last Modified: May 13, 2009