Let’s face it, there is not a day that goes by that we don’t hear about the drought in California. Our politicians have reminded us about the drought just about every year, and rightly so. However, there is another concern when it comes to water, and that’s the population in California. We have doubled in size to approximately forty million since the seventies. So now we are providing water to twenty million more people, which doesn’t include farming in our great state. To put that into perspective, according to water.phila.gov.com, the average person uses 101.5 gallons of water per day. Although, I feel that number might be slightly off. However, even if you used 80 gallons of water per person daily, that number is still more than we could even fathom. That’s why low flow shower heads and other products are still important for California’s success.
Top Household Water Users
- Taking a bath uses 36 gallons of water per day.
- Flushing your toilet uses 1.6 gallons per flush(GPF). We flush 6-8 times a day which equals 9.6-12.8 gallons of water each day.
- A ten-minute shower uses 2.5 gallons of water every minute. So that’s 25 gallons of water for every shower.
- Your washing machine generally uses 150 gallons per load.
- The dishwasher will consume 4-10, depending on how efficient your dishwasher is.
- Your hygiene will account for 2.5 gallons a day. That includes shaving, brushing teeth, and washing the face.
The Latest Low Flow Shower Heads Are Awesome
Many homeowners have installed low-flow showerheads in their showers. But quite honestly, most low-flow showerheads were horrible; but over the last ten years, many major companies have developed their version of the low-flow showerhead, which is amazing. Showering is an experience we enjoy, and if you take away from that experience by installing a subpar low flow showerhead, then the chances are you’ll go back to a regular flow head. A low flow showerhead has three purposes: conserve water, save money and provide an enjoyable shower experience.
The Standard Flow Rate For A Shower Head Was 2.5 Gallons Per Minute
The standard flow rate for a showerhead is 2.5 gallons per minute, which will vary based on your water pressure. A low flow showerhead uses 2 gallons per minute (GPM) or less. Showering is responsible for 17 percent of residential indoor water use. Another staggering number is that showering is responsible for 1.2 trillion gallons of water used annually in the United States. Unlike the early years when water conservation started becoming a concern, low flow heads were horrible. Step into the twenty-first century, where companies have put significant research behind the low flow showerhead.
We all know that a low flow shower head is not the fix-all to water issues in California. But as the great Martin Luther King once said, “There is power in numbers, and there is power in unity.” The water issues worldwide will require everyone to move in the right direction and create new disciplines regarding water conservation. Below are the fixtures and appliances that use the most amount of water.
Small Changes Will Show Big Results
- Bathtubs use the most water; you should consider showering to conserve.
- Toilet flushing is the second largest use of water in a home. You can save by installing a low flow dual flush toilet that uses 1.28 gallons for liquid waste and 1.6 gallons for solid waste.
- Clothes washing is number three on our list. You can save water by hanging up clean shirts and pants instead of washing them repeatedly. Also, bath towels can get used several times before they get washed.
- Showering is top on our list in this article. There are three things you can do to save water when showering. First, install a low flow shower head. Second, take shorter showers–––10 minutes max. Avoid shaving and brushing of teeth in the shower.
- Next on the list is your dishwasher; make sure the dishwasher is full before running it. Remember, washing dishes by hand is a waste of water. Make it a habit of putting all dishes in a dishwasher.
- Lastly is personal hygiene. While this may be the least water user besides drinking water, you can still conserve it by turning off the water whenever you shave or brush your teeth.
WaterSense LABEL, GUARANTEES NO MORE THAN 2.0 GPM
WaterSense is a program created by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The program encourages water conservation by endorsing water-efficient products with the WaterSense label. If a showerhead receives the WaterSense label, it guarantees the consumer that the showerhead uses no more than 2.0 GPM. For example, American Standard, Kohler, Delta, and Waterpik have all come out with their version of the low-flow showerhead. Furthermore, they’ve all received the WaterSense label, and they don’t take away the comfort that we’re accustomed to when taking a hot shower. You can purchase one for less than 40 dollars. A good piece of advice, shower heads can easily fit into any budget, and they will last for many years, so purchase one that’s closer to the 40-dollar mark. You’ll get what you pay for, and you can see the saving over a short amount of time.
You Don’t Need To Sacrifice Anything By Installing A Low Flow Shower Head
You no longer will sacrifice performance or efficiency when you purchase a low-flow showerhead. A study conducted by Waterpik® showed that homeowners could save close to $115 annually by installing a low flow head. The study is based on an average of two showers per day, 10 minutes in length. The current flow rate is 2.5 GPM compared to the new flow rate of 2 GPM. The complete test and all the details can be seen online at Waterpik®. Additionally, they provide an excellent tool that can calculate the usage of your home.
Wow! these low-flow shower heads are truly out of the world. I really liked the designs of these low-flow shower heads they are really mesmerizing. You have also shared a lot of informative information to make this article really very interesting. Thank you.