Homebuyers are often concerned about water pressure — and for good reason. Too much pressure could cause leaks1, and too little can make for an underwhelming shower experience.
Generally, this is around 1-1.5 bar, although it can sometimes be more. The majority of taps and showers can be chosen with this kind of pressure.
Increasing your showerhead's flow rate may improve your showering experience and may even lead to shorter showers. But keep in mind that, the higher the flow rate, the sooner you will run out of hot water, especially if you have a conventional tank-style water heater (not an on-demand heater).
A high pressure shower head sprays out water with more force, maximizing the water flow, giving you a more complete cleaning experience, but using more water and energy. A high pressure shower head provides a spa experience with natural massage therapy and different spray patterns that is beneficial to your wellbeing.
When it comes to Shower Heads, you'll typically find 2.5 GPM, 2.0 GPM, 1.8 GPM and 1.5 GPM. If you're looking for the most pressure, go for the 2.5 GPM Flow Rate, unless you are restricted because you reside in California, Colorado or New York. Again, this has been the Maximum Flow Rate since 1992.
Water pressure is measured in psi, or pounds per square inch, and represents the force at which water enters your home from the water main. Normal psi for a home pipe system is between 30 and 80 psi. While you don't want the psi to be too low, it violates code to be above 80.
Standard shower heads use 2.5 gpm, but to earn the WaterSense label, a product must use no more than 2 gpm and still meet strict performance requirements. The EPA estimates that the average family could save 2,900 gallons of water per year by installing a WaterSense-labeled shower head.
High water pressure: It feels great in the shower, but it may be costing more than you think. High-pressure water can cause serious problems, like pinhole leaks, in your plumbing, and it can severely shorten the life of your water heater, dishwasher, boiler system, and washing machine.
Warm-up efficiency is bad for low-flow shower heads.
Well, it is definitely not your plumbing, it's the shower head. This is sadly a reality for low-flow showers as they take longer to pull the hot water from your tank and it consumes more energy and water than you think.
The Shower Power Booster pump can be fitted before an existing electric shower to boost pressure and stop fluctuation in pressure and temperature.
National standard - 2.5 gpm
This includes all type of shower heads like hand-held shower, wall mount shower head, shower head systems, and rain showers. For shower heads made pre 1990s, it is still possible to find 3.5 gpm flow rate or even higher.
Absolutely. Many low-flow shower heads still deliver a powerful, satisfying shower even with a reduced flow rate. If you're looking for a better showering experience that also helps you save water, we recommend checking out the 1.8-GPM shower head model from hai.
A standard 2.5 GPM shower head uses 2.5 gallons of water each minute. That's 25 gallons for a 10-minute shower. VS. A low-flow 1.8 GPM shower head uses 1.8 gallons of water each minute.
Many modern shower heads are designed specifically to increase the pressure of the water coming out of the showerhead itself. So, while they can't increase the actual water pressure of the home, they do improve the showering experience.
One of the main giveaways of high house water pressure is noise. Banging sounds coming from the pipes usually indicate a problem with pressure, and these noises tend to be very noticeable when the water pressure is too high.
For water conservation purposes, most plumbing codes require faucets and showering devices to not exceed a certain maximum flow rate. Removing the flow restrictors could cause these devices to no longer meet these codes.
If you're experiencing low shower pressure, take these initial steps to find out what could be causing the problem: First, clean your showerhead thoroughly. Ensure the shower hose isn't kinked or damaged, then check the filter. This might require taking your shower apart, so consider asking a professional to help.
Switching to a 2.0 GPM shower head saves more than 1,825 gallons of water and $25 per year in water and energy costs. Those numbers jump to 7,300 gallons and $100 in savings for a family of four. Know the Features. A lower flow rate doesn't have to mean wimpy showers.
Your shower head has very high water pressure and is harsh on your scalp. If you have a high-pressure shower head that does not have a gentle flow, then the water itself might be causing the hair fall and hair loss. When water hits your scalp at very high pressure, it makes your hair prone to premature breakage.
Water systems which operate at 1.0 bar pressure (10 m of drop) or greater are considered high pressure systems. Those with a pressure less than 1.0 bar are considered low pressure. When you're ready to choose a tap or shower, you'll find the water pressure it's suitable for will be clearly labelled.
“Harsh water pressure can theoretically disrupt the skin barrier, leaving you more like to get inflamed and irritated,” explains Dr. Gohara. As an alternative, opt for water regulators to make sure your pressure isn't so hard that it literally hurts.
If your showerhead is labeled 2.5 GPM or less, you have a low-flow showerhead. Any showerhead labeled 2.6 GPM or above is a high-flow showerhead. If your showerhead doesn't have a label, try this trick to determine the flow rate. Place a bucket or container with a 1-gallon marker under the showerhead.
Efficient shower heads use at least 1.5gpm. Taking the same amount of time in the shower uses only 15 gallons of water. The water savings amount up to 65 gallons of water!