For me, worse than wasting water is wasting water and money. Even worse is not using my head.
I live in Atlanta. It’s the largest city in the country served by the smallest water supply. Each year for the past two decades, they raised the water rates. Now the city has the dubious honor of having the highest rates in the country. The days of cheap water here are now a mirage (you thought Atlanta was just a cultural desert?).
The Feds are in my shower? Yes!
Back in 1992, when it became federal law, I installed a 1.6 gpf (gallons per flush) toilet and a 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) shower head. But the escalating rates since then sent me shopping, actually sleuthing like Sherlock Holmes is more appropriate, for an even seemingly more ambitious 1.25 gallon per minute version.
You know my methods, Watson.
There are a lot of showerheads on the market – even plenty of the new 1.25gpm and more efficient models. Naturally, I Googled. I like to do as thorough a search as I can, even when its not a major purchase like a car. Consumer Reports compared a dozen or so models not too long ago, but you have to be a subscriber to have access to that review, which I did not. (Why waste money on a subscription when you can Google.)
I don’t always find CR the most authoritative on everything, or the most comprehensive, just a good resource. The best thing to do is to compare one product’s “arguments” to competing products. You will find much information by Googling “showerhead reviews,” then contacting the manufacturers with any remaining questions. I found customer reviews the most useful, because you really can’t go anywhere and try these products. The next best things were You Tube videos posted by those who did test a few.
Arrest that showerhead, Constable!
The make and model I purchased is the Bricor B-100 Supermax. Of course, it was the most expensive, too — a whopping $85, but it uses a patented technology so it gives a great shower and the water doesn’t get cold by the time the droplets hit you. In fact, I now prefer it to the old wasteful model.
The B-100 series is made of all metal, including the body, minimal and unobtrusive. I happen to like that look, will pay for quality and don’t care for plastic in white or chrome, but you might feel otherwise. The important thing is to get a good shower and save water and money at the same time.
Note that Bricor (bricor.com) supplies showerheads to major hotel chains and has a patent on the way their showerheads mix the water with air. I ended up speaking to the owner who told me how they have to defend their patent from copycats. You also don’t have to spend $80 as the company has a wide selection of products that cost less, as well as showerheads that use not only the 1.25 gpm I chose, but 1.0 gpm and even .55 gpm, like you might find in a recreational vehicle.
Making it rain (money).
I really took this all seriously. By using published water rates, my shower time, frequency and the showerhead flow rate, I calculated a one year payback. And every year after that, it returns $100 or more, as rates go up (hey, Atlanta has to lead in something) — a 100%+ return on investment! All because I used my well, (shower) head.
Why have I never seen a shower timer, like on Navy ships, for homes? Especially for those of us with teenagers who shower for 20 minutes at a time, a timer would save so much! Parents would be teaching conservation of resources as well as money.
-Laurie Macintosh
There are plenty available. Just google.
Also, if you google for “pull chain shower valve”, you’ll find a pretty inexpensive valve that you put between the shower arm and shower head. You pull the chain to open and release water. That’s a real navy shower.
The upgraded shower head plus the timer is a great solution! I have seen advertisements for kitchen faucets that pre-measure water for cooking which is super convenient. What about a pre-measured shower head similar to this kitchen faucet? Can we expect this in the future? 🙂
Check this out!
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2010/09/no-more-no-less-faucet-precisely-pre-measures-water-output/
I found a number of gadgets online that might be useful.
Here is a shower timer:
http://www.amazon.com/Minute-Shower-Timer-Clock/dp/B002GPUXM2
This website includes tips and links to shower-related products:
http://www.greenyour.com/home/bathroom/shower/tips/use-a-shower-timer
This fancier shower manager has an automatic shutoff–could have used this while our daughter lived at home.
http://www.showermanager.com/conservation-store/shower-timer-home.shtml
And here’s an iPhone app!
http://iphone-apps-ipa.com/Download-ipa-application-for-iPhone-iPod-iPad/ShowerBuddy-V1.0.html
My kitchen aerator attachment has a little lever that allows me to stop the flow of water, and then resume it at the same force and temperature. I think that a lot of people keep the water running so they don’t have to waste time trying to get back to the same temperature and pressure. It looks like this: http://www.nrgideas.com/ts-490b-1-5
And just for fun, here’s a cute “Showering for Glory” video: http://earth911.com/news/2012/08/16/showering-for-glory-water-saving-video/
I looked for shower water meters and found there are a few prototypes only. I suggest if you want to know how much water you are using in the shower that the easiest way is to look at your water meter (if you have access to it) before and after you shower, with no other water running during that time of course. Otherwise, Niagara Conservation has a measuring device that fills up and can tell you. I think you’ll find you use more water than you think.
Congratulations, Mark, on using your shower head to save water. Here are 100+ other ways to save water from the Water – Use It Wisely campaign: http://wateruseitwisely.com/100-ways-to-conserve/index.php
The Home Depot partnered with us in Arizona in 2004 for a terrific month-long, state-wide water conservation program with our campaign.
Keep saving.
Thanks, great list.
I live in a 128-unit apartment building in NYC. Water costs are built into our maintenance. Does anyone have any ideas for motivating apartment residents to install a low (er)-flow showerhead (or faucets) than mandated by law or shorter showers when they don’t pay hot water costs directly?
It is unusual not to sub-meter these days, so I would look into that option first. I’ll bet it can be done. Generally if you can get to a water pipe in the apartment, it’s doable. When you pay your own water, the bills really go down. There’s a law that requires the (er) low flow fixtures to be installed in order for the unit to be sold (rather than simply wait for older fixtures to be replaced.) Los Angeles does this.
Wonderful example of how you can save the environment and your pocketbook at the same time. I’d really encourage anyone out there who is part of an institution that uses a lot of water to look into installing low-flow and dual-flush systems. (The example I have experience with is colleges, but it is relevant for any big water user!) You can get low-flow heads for both showers and faucets, and dual-flush uses less water when dealing with liquid versus solid waste. If you approach the administration and can show them why it’s going to help their bottom line to install these items that decrease water usage, you’re going to be able to multiply your positive environmental impact. And, as Mark shows, the financial case can often be pretty easy to make!
Mark,
Hey..thanks for the reco. I bought the Bricor B-100 SuperMax. And it works great just like you described. Today was the first day I used it. I’d been using a first -generation low flow showerhead that I bought from Real Goods about 25 years ago. It went on the fritz and still didn’t work well after I soaked it in the vinegar to get out the deposits.
I love the pressure (hard to believe it’s low flow) and love how easy it is to adjust. I can’t wait for my friends and family to try it — and see how I’ve been able to graduate into the 21st century showerwise while still being able to save water.
Next step: the bucket!
I’m glad. In the US, we have gun buyback programs. In Australia, they have shower head roundups and exchanges. Something to think about.