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Frugalista

Install low-flow shower heads in all showers

All Practically Green: 6,314 or so people have DONE this action so far.

All Practically Green: 3,300 or so people have ADDED this to their action plan so far.

Why is "Install low-flow shower heads in all showers" green?

Installing low-flow shower heads to reduce the amount of water you use at home is an easy way to go green. Low-flow shower heads use 50-70% less water without a loss of function, and they come in all sorts of styles. Besides being green, reducing your water usage can reduce your water bill. The average American family of four uses ~400 gallons of water a day, and showers account for 17% of that usage. Installing low-flow shower heads could save your household up to 18,600 gallons of water a year.

Using less water allows more water to stay in the ground or in a reservoir, which helps to maintain a natural water balance, support wildlife, and preserve water for future use. There may be a water shortage although you live in a place where it rains a lot. Even in areas that don't technically have droughts or water restrictions, concerns are rising that there may not be enough clean water to support population and water growth due to reduced mountain snow-pack. At least 36 states expect water shortages in the next five years.

How to: Install low-flow shower heads in all showers

Shop around for low-flow shower heads that fit your style and budget. Most common manufacturers make low-flow shower heads. Look for shower heads with the WaterSense label and/or a flow rate of 2.5 gallons per minute or less.

Installing a shower head is as easy as unscrewing the old shower head, wrapping the pipe with pipe tape, and screwing on the new shower head. If you aren't comfortable doing this yourself, a plumber can help you find low-flow shower heads and install them.

  • Kohler Purist Shower Head
    • (0 Ratings)

    This contemporary shower head is WaterSense compliant and satisfies LEED certification requirements. It has a flow rate of 1.75 gallons per minute for a 30 percent reduction in water consumption.

  • Bricor Super Max Shower Head
    • (0 Ratings)

    The Bricor Super Max has a 'super' low flow rate of 1.2525 gallons per minute with a powerful and wide shower spray stream. Bricor also offers a shower head with a flow rate of 0.375 gallons per minute.

  • Niagara Low Flow Massage Shower Head
    • (2 Ratings)

    Niagara's low-flow massage shower head has a flow rate of one and a half gallons per minute which is 40 percent more efficient than standard models saving up to 7,300 gallons of water annually.

  • American Standard FloWise Shower Head
    • (1 Rating)

    This streamlined model is WaterSense compliant and, at a flow rate of one and a half gallons per minute, is 40 percent more efficient than a conventional, two and a half gallon per minute shower head--nice. Plus, it has three spray settings to ensure a thorough--and efficient--rinse.