What Are the Benefits of Using a Low-Flow Shower Head?

Low-flow shower heads have been near the forefront of home water conservation efforts for some time now, and it’s no surprise as 20-25% of all household water usage comes from showering. Unlike earlier models of low-flow shower heads, newer models utilize a smarter design with smaller water apertures that allow these devices to provide adequate water volume while still fulfilling their purpose of using less water. These new low-flower shower heads provide clear benefits:

Water Usage. Low-flow shower heads provide the obvious benefit of water conservation, something the Environmental Protection Agency has near the top of its list (See: WaterSense program here: http://www.epa.gov/watersense/index.html). Regardless of one’s opinion of the environment, water conservation also helps homeowners directly. Low-flow shower heads have been found to drop overall household water usage by as much as 40% — if not more. Aside from the nobility of conserving so much water, the tangible benefits on your wallet will be felt with each monthly water bill. Newer, non-low-flow shower heads disperse at least 2.5 gallons of water a minute. Low-flow shower heads gently produce 2 gallons or less a minute, while older shower heads actually put out as much as 5 to 8 gallons per minute.

Energy Usage. Running your shower also consumes energy. Use of a low-flow shower head will also cut down on your monthly energy usage thanks to the decrease in monthly water usage, as water requires energy to be heated. Fewer gallons of heated water mean greater savings on energy costs.

Carbon-dioxide Emissions. Lower energy usage with low-flow shower heads also leads to lower CO2 (carbon-dioxide) emissions.