Shower Heads

Billions of gallons of water flow from shower heads every day; half of the water wasted. Nearly all shower heads utilize twice the water necessary for an enjoyable and thorough shower. This becomes a drain not only on valuable clean water, but also puts an unnecessary toll on the budget. Both the energy used to heat it and the water itself costs money.

So what can you do to avoid this? It’s as simple as changing your shower heads into “low-flow” models. This will only take a few minutes of your time, and cost a few extra dollars. With a $10 investment or less, one can save $50 to $70 every year on their water bills and about $20 to $50 or more every year on their energy bills –depending on the current utility rates and shower head.

In order to truly appreciate the benefits of “low-flow” shower heads, it may be helpful to learn more about shower heads and its different types. There are actually two basic types of shower heads, namely handheld shower head and the standard stationary type.

Handheld Shower Heads

The handheld models are attached to a “flexible” hose, and can often be clipped onto wall-mounted hangers, bar or swivel for a “hands-free” showering. This flexible hose directly screws onto a shower arm, or on a diverter valve that are between the shower arm and a standard showerhead, or on a “deck-mounted” diverter valve on bathtubs.

These models are much more versatile and saves more water, as they direct the water’s flow to where you need it. Handheld shower heads also provide small savings on energy, as the water only needs to travel a short distance from the shower head to the user, thus cooling lesser in air, and consequently means one can adjust its temperature a little lower.

Stationary Shower Heads

These models are the most common models installed in bathrooms. They’re usually built-in and wall-mounted. Nearly all standard shower heads are with full-range adjustable sprays, as well as features swivel-ball joints and self0cleaning rims. High-quality types of this model are “chrome plated”, while the more economical models have “plastic faceplates”.

Units that are “single control” may be used with built-showers, where only a single knob controls both the flow of water and its temperature. This lets the water temperature be permanently set. Water may be turned on and off, without the need to change its temperature setting.

Why Convert To “Low-Flow” Models?

The earlier models of low-flow shower heads where actually “uninteresting” as although they saved water, they also took away the joy of showering under a strong and satisfying blast of water. However, today’s low-flow models are very different.

The manufacturers of these models have met the challenge of conserving water and offering satisfying showers through engineering the water’s movement, so that it goes through “special orifices” that focus the water’s stream, controls its droplet size, and even increase its blast through pulsing, creating turbulence, or mixing in air.

Low-flow models allow you to conserve water and energy, and let you lower down that budget on bills. Prices of low-flow models range from $5 or less for simple and no-frills plastic heads, to $100 or more for designer heads. Costs of shower heads have slightly to do with how good they deliver satisfaction to its users. It is more on the gauge of its features, as well as its finish and construction materials.

Nothing feels more satisfying than nice hot showers in the mornings. However, it can also be frustrating when you receive “out-of-the-budget” bills at the end of every month. Choosing the right shower heads, that don’t only provide a soothing strong shower, but also conserves water and energy, is very important.