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.
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.
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.
Know the Impact.
One person who showers 10 minutes per day with a 2.5 GPM shower head uses 9,125 gallons of water per year. 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.
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!
Also known as "flow rate", GPM is a measure of how many gallons of water flow out of your shower head each minute. Since 1992, a maximum of 2.5 GPM is the federally mandated flow rate for new shower heads. This means no more than 2.5 gallons of water should flow out each minute.
That's a common misconception. A lower flow rate does not mean that your shower will have less pressure. Water flow (gpm) refers to how much water is coming out, not how fast or how hard it's coming out.
A 2.5 gpm shower head will have a better pressure and shower experience than a 1.5 gpm shower head. A 1.8 gpm shower head would have a better pressure and shower experience than a 1.0 gpm shower head. Another drawback of low flow shower heads boosting the pressure is the temperature instability.
Benefits: Low flow shower heads can decrease water consumption by 40% or more! This not only conserves water, but it cuts down on your monthly water bill providing significant end-of-year savings. Showers take energy to heat the water, thus cutting down on water usage also cuts down on energy usage.
While it is possible to remove flow restrictors from shower heads, we strongly advise against it for several reasons. Flow restrictors for faucets are an integral part of most aerators and it is generally not possible or desirable to remove them.
Residential household toilets must use no more than 1.28 GPF (gallons per flush). Residential bathroom faucets must use no more than 1.2 GPM (gallons per minute). Residential showerheads, including handheld showers and fixed body sprays, must use no more than 1.8 GPM.
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.
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.
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Many people don't realize it, but shower heads should actually be replaced every 6 to 8 months.
After all, it needs certain amount of water to remove the soap, that is physic. Studies have shown that 1.8 gpm is the minimum flow rate to have a good enjoyable rinsing, so the common 1.75 gpm models, is somewhat good enough for a decent shower. To save water further and still have a full enjoyable rinsing experience.
Higher GPM will help you get the job done faster. For most homeowners, identifying your ideal PSI (whether low or high) is a good start. Once you have the PSI you need, then look for higher GPM numbers to get better efficiency.
Since these shower heads mix the water with the surrounding air, it can cause the water to cool down quickly. There can also be a delay in warming the water, so a fast shower might not be as satisfying.
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.
Often, you can determine whether your showerhead is low-flow by reading any labels printed around the rim. 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.
But when it comes to upgrading your shower routine to make it feel a bit more special, think beyond just the products you're using — like changing out the hardware in the shower itself. Swapping out a run-of-the-mill shower head can make a huge difference when it comes to your time spent under the spray.