Are Water Saving Shower Heads Effective?

Did you know that older shower heads can use between 15-25 litres per minute of water? A 5-minute shower will consume approximately 100 litres of water. Installing a water-saving shower head could help you save thousands of litres. This is not to mention the money and energy you will save by reducing water consumption. We can help you install a shower system that is both better for your pocket and the environment.

What is Water Saving Shower Heads and How Do They Work?

Low flow shower heads are water-saving heads. They reduce the amount of water that passes through them. Modern shower heads consume 9 litres per min (L/min). Shower heads that are water efficient can often be found with flow rates of 7.5 L/min. Others are even more efficient.

A water-saving showerhead reduces the water volume, so it may not be suitable for homes with low water pressure. A water-saving showerhead might not work well in homes that have an instantaneous heater. A certain flow rate is required to heat the water. Low flow shower heads may not be able to achieve this, so your showers might get cold.

Different types of water-saving shower heads

There are two types of low-flow showerheads: aerated and non-aerated.

Aerated Showerhead

Aerated showerheads use a mixture of water and air to give you a pleasant flow. To give the illusion of a higher flow rate, the air is sucked into the water through ducts.

Although this type of showerhead is water efficient, it has some drawbacks. First, bacteria can grow in the water if the showerhead does not drain correctly. You might get bacteria sprayed on your skin the next time you turn on the shower.

Second, your shower water will feel cooler because it is aerated. You might feel tempted to use more hot water, thereby wasting more energy.

The air ducts that collect air can get clogged up with water minerals and other debris. As time goes by, the air ducts will become less efficient and will use more water.

Installing your shower head by a qualified plumber will make it less likely that you'll have to deal with these issues.

Non-Aerated Showerhead

Non-aerated showerheads reduce water consumption and water savings by reducing the size of the holes. This results in a more powerful shower and less water flow. It is the efficiency of the non-aerated head showerhead that is responsible.

Although this shower head is very efficient in water consumption, it has its drawbacks. The main issue is the overall experience in the shower. Non-aerated shower heads provide a strong massage water flow. Some people enjoy this but many others don't.

How much water can water-saving shower heads save?

Average Australian showers last 7 minutes. Your home may have an older showerhead that uses 25 L/min. That's 175 litres of water. That's 700 litres per day for a home with 4 people.

A modern 9-litre showerhead will save 448 litres per day for a four-person household. A 7.5 L/min water-saving shower head can save you almost 500 litres per day!

This means you'll save 500 litres on your water and energy bills. Water-saving shower heads mean that you will be able to spend a few extra minutes in the shower without guilt. By reducing water usage, you will be helping the environment and saving money on energy and water.

Water-saving shower heads will save you water even if you have to wait twice as long for the water to drain completely. For 14 minutes, a 7.5 L/min showerhead will consume 420 litres. This is less than the 7 minutes it takes to use a 25-litre showerhead.