Water Saving Showerheads Guide

Choosing The Right Water-Saving Showerhead

Choosing the correct showerhead is one of the quickest ways to achieve bathroom bliss. Whether you are working on new construction, a renovation, or simply replacing outdated showerheads with something new, the correct showerhead could improve your bathroom significantly. In recent years, drought and water shortages in Australia have brought water conservation to the forefront.

From state-wide water restrictions to public education initiatives, the government has attempted to help prevent water wastage in various ways. For instance, there is a showerhead exchange program in Victoria where you can trade in your old, inefficient showerhead for a more efficient one.

What Is A Water-Saving Showerhead?

Low flow shower heads, often known as water-saving showerheads, limit the amount of water that runs through them. The flow rate of modern showerheads is around 9 litres per minute (L/min). On the other hand, water-efficient showerheads have a flow rate of 7.5 L/min and are more prevalent. Some are even more water-saving than others!

However, because a water-saving showerhead reduces the volume of water used, it might not be suitable for houses with low water pressure flow. Similarly, if your home has an instantaneous water heater, a water-saving showerhead might be challenging to operate. This is because a specific flow rate must be met for the water to be heated, which might not be possible with some low-flow showerheads.

Water-Saving Showerheads Types

The angle of water flow is determined by the shape of the showerhead, whether square, round, or semi-circular. Another critical design component is the showerhead's style. Showerheads can be handheld or non-handheld, but there are a variety of mounts to select from, each with its own set of adjustments, including cradles that allow handheld models to function similarly to non-handheld models.

Water-saving showerheads include:

• Aerating showerhead
• Non-aerating showerhead

Aerating showerheads

Showerheads with aerators are a terrific way to make your shower more environmentally friendly. An aerating showerhead can help you save up to around 50% on your water consumption and water heating costs and provide you with a more luxurious shower experience.

Showerheads with aerated water use water and air to create a soothing water flow. Air is drawn in through the ducts to aerate the water and provide a higher flow rate. Because aerating showerheads can combine more air with water, you get to enjoy the sense of strong water pressure without having to worry about your water bill.

According to the manufacturers, aerating showerheads use less water than standard fittings. Although this type of showerhead saves a lot of water, it has a few drawbacks. To begin with, if the showerhead does not drain properly, bacteria may grow in the standing water. Then, when you switch on the shower the next time, the germs are blasted on you!

Moreover, because the water in your shower is aerated, it will seem cooler than it usually would. As a result of this, you may feel compelled to use more hot water, resulting in even more energy waste. Finally, water-borne debris and minerals can clog the air ducts, which suck air in. As time goes on, less air will be sucked through, and more water will be used, lowering the system's efficiency.

Non-aerating showerheads

Non-aerating showerheads have tiny hole sizes utilised to reduce water usage and save water. The water squeezes through the small holes resulting in a higher pressure but less water flow. This showerhead offers some benefits in terms of water efficiency, but it also has some drawbacks.

The overall showering experience is the most crucial. These showerheads produce a forceful, massaging water flow. Many individuals do not appreciate it, but some do.

Advantages Of Using A Low-Flow Showerhead

The sole objective of a low-flow showerhead is to reduce the amount of water used per minute during a shower. Low flow showerheads are specifically intended to give a vigorous water flow while also conserving water. People don't want an unsatisfactory shower in which the water pressure is too low and they can't thoroughly rinse off.

Showers are one of the most widespread ways to use water in our everyday lives. Water conservation is good for the environment, and installing low-flow showerheads ensures that your household is helping out in the efforts to conserve the environment. This is especially crucial in countries where natural disasters frequently occur, such as Australia.

One of the most apparent pros of low-flow showers is using less water. You can save up to half of your real consumption by lowering your flow rates. You will most likely save a bit of money on your water bills if you bathe with less water.

Therefore, by switching to low-flow showerheads, your water bills will go down, and people will try not to spend excess time in the shower, which is always good news. Moreover, low-flow showerheads are stylish and luxurious, adding a touch of class to even the most basic bathroom, and they are also relatively easy to maintain.

Water Saved By Water-Saving Showerheads

The typical shower in Australia lasts around 7 minutes. This equates to about 175 litres of water if your home has an older showerhead that uses up to 25 L/min. That's approximately 700 litres of water each day for a four-person household just for showering. Simply switching to a modern 9-litre showerhead can save a four-person household about 448 litres of water each day.

Whereas a 7.5 L/min water-saving showerhead will save you nearly 500 litres each day. That's 500 litres of water that you won't have to pay for on your water and electricity bills. Installing water-saving showerheads will allow you to take a few additional minutes in the shower without feeling guilty.

You will be contributing to conserving the environment by reducing your water usage while also saving money on water and energy. It's amazing how great of a difference the switch to low-flow showerheads makes. Water-conserving showerheads will save you money even if you need to stay in the shower twice as long to thoroughly wash off. With a 25-litre showerhead, a 7.5 L/min showerhead used for 14 minutes will use 420 litres overall, which is less than 7 minutes.

Pick The Right Water-Saving Showerhead

If you are thinking of buying a low-flow showerhead, there are a few things to think about. Because not all low flow showers are created equal, it's vital to select one that matches your requirements. The guidelines provided will assist you in determining the right water-saving showerhead for your bathroom.

You should think about the materials you want in your shower. Using a low-cost showerhead, usually made of plastic, can help you save money. However, the showerhead's endurance is uncertain, and you might use more money in the long run due to constant replacements.

Therefore, the best solution is a showerhead composed of aluminium or composite material. This fixture is guaranteed to serve you for a long time and pay for itself over time. In addition, check the flow rate mentioned on the package before purchasing a water-saving showerhead.

It should show both the flow volume in litres per minute and the pressure output in kilopascals (kPa). You should also consider the kind of showerhead you want to instal in terms of performance. Showering can be a delightful experience if you have the right features. You want to conserve water, but you also want to enjoy the process.

Choosing The Most Appropriate Shower Valve

While you might believe that low-flow showers are all about the heads, the valves are equally important. It's a wise decision to utilise a proper valve for your shower. It will assist you in managing the pressure and temperature in low-flow showers, which is critical.

Therefore, it is vital to have an essential awareness of the complexities of shower valves, as this will assist you in picking the right faucet for your needs. The finest valves to think about include the following four:

• Valves for mixing
• Thermostatic valves
• Valves for balancing pressure
• Anti-scald valves

Mixing valves

The mixing valve is responsible for combining hot and cold water. It will take care of the water mixture that will offer you the optimal shower temperature. You will want to have a reliable mixing valve with an excellent technique to make accurate water adjustments.

Thermostatic valves

Thermostatic shower valves are a clever way of balancing pressure. The valve maintains a constant temperature and pressure in your shower. Even if you use hot water, your low-flow showerhead will provide a continuous stream.

Pressure-balanced valves

Pressure-balanced valves ensure that your hot and cold water are kept at an average balance. It has a specialised diaphragm that adjusts to fluctuations in water pressure and balances the production of cold and hot water. Even if your cold-water pressure is lost, this valve keeps your water at a steady temperature.

Anti-scald valves

Anti-scald valves are also known as pressure balance valves. However, not all pressure balance valves are anti-scald. If you have a new home with new piping, anti-scald valves are a good idea. Remember that an anti-scald valve can only do so much if your pipes have leaks, clogs, or corrosion. Therefore, it's important to seek guidance from a licensed plumber if you plan to install it on an older property.

The Best Features In Low-Flow Showerheads

Other considerations when purchasing a low-flow showerhead are the bells and whistles. A shower merely requires a showerhead, a valve, and sometimes a tub spout. On the other hand, showers with more high-tech amenities are more luxurious. To begin with, certain showers have digital control pads that provide a unique sensation.

All you are necessitated to do is push a single button and select a pre-set, and you are ready to go. Everything in your shower may be programmed, including the proper intensity, temperature, ambient lighting, and the shower set. You can use a timer on some low-flow shower systems to limit the length of the entire session.

This allows you the chance to save money while also being more conscious of your water usage. You can also have a push-button programme that provides an energy-saving timetable for heating your water. Steam shower systems, which are fantastic if you have aerating showerheads, are among the ancillary considerations.

These can be retrofitted into your bathroom to keep the steam inside. This feature simulates a steam sauna experience in the shower. If you enjoy spending a surplus of time in the bathroom, installing steam showers is a good idea. They can aid in keeping your body clean, making you feel comfortable, and even allowing you to enjoy some time indoors.

Examples Of Water-Saving Showerheads

It can often be challenging to switch to a water-saving showerhead. You will need to employ a professional plumber who can install and advise you on your selections based on your requirements. You want something that meets your needs without breaking the bank.

Switching to a low-flow showerhead might save you a lot of water and money if you have enough pressure. You may preserve water while simultaneously lowering your water expenses. Some of the water-saving showerheads available in the market include:

High Sierra's All Metal 1.5 GPM Nozzle

The unique, award-winning nozzle sprays a forceful, full-spray of big drops. Minerals in the water won't clog the patented nozzle like they do with ordinary low-flow showerheads. This showerhead is made of solid metal guaranteed not to corrode, regardless of the quality of the water.

Water Management Fire Hydrant Spa

It has a water amplifying spray with adjustable volume and flow rates. It is Amazon's bestseller every year and is designed with low water pressure in mind and high-pressure water conservation.

Delta Low Flow Showerhead

Delta H2Okinetic Power Drench Spray has three times the coverage of a regular showerhead (coverage measured following EPA Water Sense Specification for showerheads, March 4, 2010). This showerhead sculpts water into a unique wave pattern, providing more warmth, coverage, and intensity in a shower.

The Delta Low Flow showerhead has spray holes that clean themselves, which assists in the prevention of lime and mineral deposition. Over time, they help to reduce the amount of time spent scrubbing and cleaning.

Waterpik Eco flow Fixed Mount Showerhead

The Waterpik Eco flow Fixed Mount showerhead is made of plastic. It is a low-flow chrome eco flow shower that conserves water and money. When needed, the water-saving trickle button saves even more water. EPA Water Sense performance criteria are met. It has anti-clog nozzles, is simple to install, and has a limited lifetime. Opti FLOW technology provides a 1. 6 GPM flow rate for maximum performance.

Are Water-Saving Showerheads A Good Pick?

Low-flow showerheads are great for water saving as well as electricity. Using less water also means that the water that needs to be heated is less, thus saving on your energy bills. The average household could save over 330-kilowatt hours of electricity per year, which is enough to run a home for around 11 days.

The following are some of the probable instances why water-saving showerheads are so popular:

• They cut down on your overall water consumption, which is usually hot water that costs money to heat in the shower.
• They help to reduce the amount of wastewater produced by households.
• They cut CO2 emissions by using less energy to heat water.

Therefore, it is worthwhile to invest in water-saving showerheads.

Employ Experts For Water-Saving Showerheads

If you are unsure if your home's plumbing system can handle a low-flow showerhead, it's advisable to reach out to a reliable professional plumber near you. They will provide you with sound advice on what you can do and the finest options available to you in your situation. Moreover, they will also do the installation for you.