The Best High Efficiency Shower Heads

Showering accounts for nearly seventeen percent of residential water use indoors. This roughly translates into thirty gallons of water on average per household per day spent on showering alone. Annually, that number adds up to over one trillion gallons of water used for showers across the United States. By installing and using high efficiency shower heads, not only will the environment benefit but you could save quite a substantial amount of money on your monthly utility bills as well.



Regulations set forth by the federal government state that all new shower heads must not exceed a flow rate of more than two and a half gallons of water per minute at a pressure rating of eighty pounds per square inch. Older models most likely do not meet these standards and is the reason why many households who employ this type of fixture tend to lose money on their utility bills. Not only is your water bill affected, but your energy costs are as well. Because a reduced amount of water is needed for showering, demands on your hot water heater is decreased. Annually, you could be looking at a savings of over three hundred kilowatts per hour which is enough to power your television for almost an entire year.

It is recommended by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) that when in the market for the best high efficiency shower heads you look for one with a rate of water flow that is less than two and a half gallons per minute. Shower heads classified as low flow are divided into two types: aerating and laminar-flow. Aerating shower heads accomplish a misty spray by incorporating air with water. The latter, laminar-flow shower heads produce single streams of water. It is suggested that if you reside in a humid region you invest in a laminar-flow shower head as it will not produce as much moisture or steam as an aerating head does.



When shopping around for high efficiency shower heads, so not feel like you will have to forfeit an enjoyable showering experience in order to save on your water usage. Many companies with EPA certified shower heads undergo rigorous testing and must meet certain performance criterion before being approved for population use. Most of these shower heads are labeled clearly which will help you identify those shower heads while in various stores that carry these types of fixtures. All heads found with an EPA label carries a flow rate of just two gallons per minute, which in comparison to its older counterparts is quite impressive.