Did you know that showers are among the top contributors to higher water bills? Interestingly, most people believe that a bigger shower head use more water, which in turn translates to more energy costs and higher wastage or water. Therefore, they usually opt for smaller-sized shower heads, with the belief that these use less water and help to save on the costs.
When buying your shower head, you want to choose an eco-friendly type that helps to save water. After all, saving water is not only good for the environment and the future, but is also good for your wallet, saving you on a lot of costs. But, do bigger shower heads use more water, is it really true and should they be avoided then? Read on!
Do Bigger Shower Heads Use More Water?
| Well, the truth of the matter is that bigger shower heads do not necessarily use more water. Rather, the amount of water that a shower head uses is mainly dependent on the type of the shower head, and not on its size. It is no surprise, then, that there are larger-sized shower heads that use up less water and smaller-sized ones that waste a lot of water. For example, rainfall and high-pressure shower heads tend to be relatively larger in size, yet they use less water and contribute to low energy and water bills. |
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How Much Water Does a Standard Shower Head Use?
There is a universal regulation put in place that dictates that shower heads should not release more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute (GPM). Therefore, most standard shower heads use up to 25 gallons of water for every ten minutes of shower. These include conventional shower heads, such as the wall-mounted ones.
However, there are other advanced options that use less water than the conventional shower heads. For instance, you can find low-flow shower heads that use up to 2.0 gallons per minute. Such shower heads save up to 20% of water than the older models (which amounts to saving five gallons of water for every 10-minute shower).
Does the Size Of the Shower Head Affect Pressure?
As mentioned above, the size of the shower head does not affect how much water will be released. Similarly, a shower head’s size does not affect the pressure of the water. On the contrary, water pressure in the shower is dependent on the design of the shower head, as well as the plumbing system which supports the shower.
Shower heads that are designed with smaller holes tend to use less water than those with bigger holes. For instance, most traditional shower head models have bigger holes and use 10 more gallons of water than newer, updated ones. Besides, updated shower head models are designed with aerating capabilities that encourage a high-pressure showering experience.
Simply put, both small and large sizes of the shower head have the capability to deliver high water pressure; all they need to achieve this is to have the right design and technology to back it.
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Which Shower Heads Save Water?
Different shower head brands have different capacities to save water. However, modern, upgraded shower heads are highly recommended over standard shower heads, since they save up to 5 extra gallons of water during a 10-minute shower. In fact, most American households who use upgraded shower heads save approximately 2,700 gallons of water every year; this is similar to saving up to $70 in energy and water bills.
If you are looking for a shower head that saves on water, you would do well to choose either of these two:
A. Aerator Shower Heads
This type of shower head reduces water consumption by up to 50%. It blends water with air, in turn increasing the size of the shower water droplets. And despite providing larger-sized water droplets, aerated shower heads do not affect the pressure of the shower.
Therefore, you can expect to enjoy enough water pressure during showering and a strong stream of water. However, since the shower head works by injecting air into the water, the water may feel cooler than regular.
B. Non-Aerating Shower Heads
Non-aerating shower heads are also known as laminar flow or streamlined shower heads. They work by squeezing water out of small openings; a technique that promotes a massage-like shower experience.
These types of shower heads reduce consumption of water by up to 40%. The fact that they use less electricity to warm or heat water also makes them highly energy-efficient. Indeed, they are a pocket-friendly option for shower heads.
How To Pick A Suitable Shower Head?
When buying a shower head, the first and foremost thing that you need to consider is its water efficiency. The lower the GPM value of the shower head, the better its water efficiency, and vice versa.
Below are additional features that can help you choose the most suitable shower head for your bathroom:
- Adjustability – A good shower head should be adjustable, offering features such as spray or massage patterns. These patterns may include intense streams, cascading, pulse or several pattern combinations.
Also, you want to choose a type of shower head that offers convenience. For example, if your household has any kids, you would do well to get a shower head with a height adjustment feature.
- Ease of installation – Changing a shower head should be as easy as changing a light bulb. Yet, some models require additional fittings or parts, making the installation process quite tedious, or even expensive in case you need to buy separate accessories or pay for professional assistance.
- Design options – There are a wide range of shower head designs sold in the market today. For example, there are wall-mounted shower heads and handheld ones. You will also find single shower heads, as well as multiple heads that have adjustable rotation degrees and angles. Whichever design option you choose, make sure it that it is both functional and esthetic.
Conclusion
Do bigger shower heads use more water? Not really! Therefore, when choosing what shower head to buy, do not put more emphasis on the size of the shower head. Rather, opt for modern shower heads that employ aerator technology and have water flow regulators. By doing so, you will avoid high energy costs and water bills that would’ve strained your wallet.
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