Low Flow Shower Heads
The hot water that many of us take for granted can account for a substantial portion of your total energy costs, as much as 25% depending on use. In many cases, showers can be the largest single contributor to overall hot water use. 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.
How it Works
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 15 -19 litres (3-4 gallons) or more per minute, the low-flow type uses approximately 8 - 9 litres (about 2) gallons per minute, with some models using even less. Many are equipped with a push-button shutoff valve which allows the user to interrupt the flow of water while soaping up, saving even more.
Replacing a conventional showerhead with a low-flow model is usually a very quick and simple job. With a variety of adapters readily available, they can be fitted to most standard shower arms, including the swivel type.
Example of Savings
A family of 3 may take almost 1,000 showers per year! With conventional showerheads using 19 litres (4 gallons) of water per minute, and assuming 10 minutes per shower, the annual hot water usage would be 190,200 litres (about 42,000 gallons). If the conventional showerheads were replaced with low-flow models rated at 9 litres (2 gallons) per minute, the hot water use would be cut in half, saving 95,000 litres (21,000 gallons) annually. If this water is electrically heated, the annual cost savings would be approximately $175*. If the water is heated by natural gas the cost savings would be approximately $190**. Besides saving energy and money, the water savings are significant, conserving another valuable resource.
Payback
Based on the typical costs listed below, the payback for installing low-flow showerheads is almost immediate, depending on the frequency of showers.
Typical Cost
Standard Type: $15 and up
Designer and handheld massage type: $30 and up
*Assuming a typical electric water heater, with a 33° C (60° F) rise and a fuel cost of $.06/kWh
**Assuming a typical gas water heater, with a 33° C (60° F) rise and a fuel cost of $11.36/GJ
