Water saving shower heads guide

Water saving technology

Like most people, you probably have a shower head that gives you a great shower but uses a lot of hot water. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Authority), showers account for over 17 per cent of all indoor water use in AUS. Their findings also show that replacing a traditional shower head could save up to 2,700 gallons (12,274 litres) of water each year.

Showering is a significant area of water usage, accounting for more than a third of total household usage. The average shower uses 45 litres with an 11 litre per minute flow rate. Due to concerns about the effects of climate change, it has become increasingly important to conserve water.

This article gives figures and information about managing your household's water consumption. It also discusses highlights and the importance of water conservation in Australian households.

Essential points to note about shower heads

A soothing shower at the end of the day shouldn't have to be sacrificed to save water and energy. Low-flow fixtures are a smart investment since they allow you to save water without sacrificing comfort. Many homes in Australia today have high water pressure as a result of improvements in boiler technology.

This translates to people using more water than necessary when taking a shower. Other people have a totally different experience: some homes have a super-efficient shower head that makes you wonder whether the water is switched on. The key is to use a low-flow shower head that provides a pleasurable flow while utilising the least amount of water.

How can we become more mindful of our water consumption when showering? One approach is to take shorter showers. But what if there was a method to reduce water usage while maintaining the luxury of a nice long shower? Buy an efficient system!

Most of us have no idea how long we shower or what temperature we shower at by default. As a result, we recommend shower heads that limit the flow and temperature of your showers while also allowing you to track your usage.

What is the meaning of a low-flow shower head?

Water flow in a shower system is often measured by litres per minute. Modern, efficient water-saving technologies for showers can limit the amount of water that flows through to reduce the amount you use.

Ability to conserve water

Using a water saving shower head can help you save up to 50 per cent of your use. This is environmentally friendly, and it saves you money, too.

Shower head aerators

Larger droplets are created by the mixture of water and air in shower heads that use aerators. This means that you will see there is more water coming out of your shower head than there actually is, but enjoy a luxurious shower anyway.

Flow controls

A flow regulator is a simple and inexpensive way to reduce water consumption in the bathroom. It modifies the water flow rate to be less wasteful for higher-efficiency devices like low-flow shower heads.

These regulators attach to the shower hose and lower the maximum water flow. This shower head will save you a significant amount of water because they reduce water usage without reducing shower time.

Effects of water pressure and flow rate

Showers are measured by their flow or the number of gallons they give out per minute. The pressure behind a shower head is also imperative to understand because that can significantly affect how much water comes out. As pressure increases, the volume of water being forced through will also increase.

High water pressure—80 psi, for example—will pump more water through a shower head than low pressure, such as 20 psi. The same logic applies when you allow some of the water to trickle out gradually. Water pressure will be lower where your neighbours have less pressure but higher at other points in the neighbourhood.

Shower heads used to release 5.5 gallons (25 litres) per minute or more, but now all domestic shower heads have a maximum flow of 2.5 GPM (11 litres). Some cities in Australia limit flow to 2.0 GPM (9 litres). Many current low-flow shower heads have a flow rate of only 1.5 gallons (6.5 litres) per minute.

Types of low flow shower heads

Low flow shower heads are categorised into stationary shower heads and handheld models with a flexible hose. For hands-free showering, you can clip most handheld shower heads onto a wall-mounted hook, swivel, or bar. The flexible hose attaches to the shower arm, a diverter valve between a regular shower head and the shower arm, or a bathtub's deck-mounted diverter valve.

Handheld models are more expensive because they have a flexible hose, but you can adjust the spray's water flow exactly where you want it. A shower head that moves the water closer to your body will save you a little bit of energy, which means you'll be able to turn the temperature down with no problem.

The drenching impact of an overhead waterfall shower head positioned on the ceiling is greater than that of conventional heads, but the flow rates are slightly higher. Waterfall shower heads can also be mounted on the wall to replace traditional types.

How to calculate the flow rate of a shower head

Hold a gallon or litre jar under your current shower head and time how long it takes to fill it. The flow rate is roughly 4 GPM (18 litres) if it fills in 15 seconds. The flow rate is nearer to 6 GPM (27 litres) if it fills up in 10 seconds. Filling a 1-gallon or 1-litre bucket with a low-flow shower head should take at least 24 seconds.

Shower heads costs

Shower heads come in an assortment of prices. Simple, low-cost models can be purchased for less than $10, while designer shower heads can cost over $100. Even though the actual cost of a shower head doesn't always indicate its effectiveness, it will often correspond with how long it lasts. One of the considerations when buying a shower head is its features and quality. There are inexpensive models available for everyone's budget.

Features of the shower head

One of the best features of low-flow shower heads is being able to change the spray setting to suit your preference. You can go from a thin, narrow-focused stream to a broad relaxation mode that gives you some sensations while you're washing.

The versions with an adjustment ring or lever on the outer head are easier to use because you don't have to reach inside the water stream. A shutdown at the head is another useful water-saving feature. This reduces water flow to a trickle while you soap up or bathe your pets or children.

Other low-flow alternatives

Flow-control inserts, essentially a washer with a small hole to decrease water flow, and shower shut-off control valves that reduce flow and provide on/off control above the head are two other devices that help save water in the shower. These are inexpensive and fit between the shower pipe (arm) and the shower head.

Other strategies for conserving shower water

There are a few additional techniques to conserve water in your shower beside the ones we've just mentioned. They can be tweaks that won't affect how you ordinarily use your shower.

Flexible shower heads

You can enhance your showering experience without using more water by using an adjustable shower head. You can change the water flow by adjusting the shower head to either decrease or increase the flow. Setting it to 'Massage' will send a low-pressure spray into fewer pores, giving it more force.

This is how pressure rises when you block a garden hose with your finger. Although you won't directly save water by doing this, you can take a stronger shower with the same amount of water.

Maintain a clean shower head

One of the ways to maintain a clean shower head is to regularly clean the debris. Hard water and limescale deposits can lead to a clogged shower head, which will reduce effectiveness. The way limescale builds up in the shower can result in a reduction in water flow, so you need to ensure that your shower is powerful enough to maintain the same flow.

If the water is directed sideways by the nozzles, it may be deflected away from you and directly into the plug hole. Cleaning your shower head regularly will maintain its functionality without wasting electricity.

Use water-saving options

With many modern shower valves, you can adjust the flow rate of your shower to complete your daily routine in less time and using less water, thanks to their low-flow setting. If your home has enough water pressure, you can reduce your shower flow rate to save water and money. Many residential showers don't need to be set at their highest level anyway to create a good showering experience.

Choose a shower head that meets your needs

Whatever your habits, an expert can assist you in selecting the best shower set for your family that meets your water-saving goals and your lifestyle requirements.

Let's have a look at some standard designs and features that are available for this purpose.

Technologies that help to conserve water

Most modern showers come with special features, including low flow rates and clever valves that can help you to save water and energy. To prevent wasting water, you should turn the water on to warm it up before brushing your teeth. Once the water reaches 95° F/35° C, the valve automatically shuts off further flow. When you're ready to shower, simply turn on the full flow valve.

Oras Apollo Eco 1-spray

This hand shower has a flow rate of only 6.6 litres per minute, which can help you conserve a lot of water while still giving you a relaxing shower.

Oras Apollo 3-spray models

You can create a beautiful bathroom design with a simple geometric shape like on the Ora Apollo. Three different spray options are available. With 9 litres per minute flow rate of water from this shower head spray option, you can cut water flow in half, compared to the usual 18 litres per minute.

The electronic hand dryer

One of the newest additions to the series, this water-powered digital hand shower comes with a water-usage display. When you take a shower for too long, a simple LED light will turn red and change colour to reflect your consumption. In addition, Bluetooth is built into the fixture, so you can monitor your water usage.

For every five-minute shower, the head saves an estimated 8 gallons (36 litres) of water and the energy needed to heat it (around 2.3 kWh). Over a year, this can save your family more than 2,000 gallons (9,092 litres) of water.

Water-saving criteria

Shower heads must meet stricter water-saving criteria, such as:

• Provide a pleasant shower that is equivalent to or better than conventional shower heads on the market. This demonstrates that they consume 2.0 GPM (9 litres) or less.
• When compared to similar shower heads in the same category, you can save up to 20 per cent.

The EPA also has a product search engine that can help you locate shower heads with the WaterSense label. Seek a shower head with holes in the centre and around the perimeter for the greatest spray pattern. Some shower heads feature a variety of settings that allow you to choose your preferred water flow, from fine to coarse, as well as varied pulsation levels for a water massage.

Keep in mind; however, that overhead 'rain' shower heads may not have the same range of adjustability as traditional shower heads. They usually deliver water at a lesser pressure from above, simulating the sensation of a rain shower.

This may be unsatisfactory for people accustomed to a more diagonal flow of water with a higher PSI. If you don't find the need to wash your hair every day, this light fixture style might not be for you. It's not easy to keep your head dry!

Install and use a water-saving shower head

If a hard day at work makes you feel like taking a long shower, then, by all means, do so. Just don't do it regularly and waste water - stick to shorter showers instead. Most people use the most amount of water in their day while showering, so it's best to start conserving there. Start by installing and using a water-saving shower head.

A low-pressure shower head is designed for lower water pressure systems that experience low water flow. Some low-flow shower heads may feature a flow restrictor that can be legally removed or reversed to increase the amount of water coming through to get the right amount of pressure.

Water scarcity is evolving as an issue that is becoming increasingly significant as the world's population grows. The average person in Australia is thought to use 150 litres of water per day, and the demand for water is increasing at a rate of one per cent annually. A flow regulator reduces the shower's typical flow rate, which ranges from 4 to 15 litres per minute.

Get experts to install water saving shower heads

Getting a good low flow shower head is essential, but getting it installed properly is necessary. Water saving shower heads will always make you at ease without worrying about wasting water. So, what are you waiting for? It is your cue to get one installed using a professional today.