There are three types of shower heads for low water pressure: fixed shower heads, handheld shower heads, and combination shower heads. Fixed shower heads are attached to the wall or ceiling and cannot be moved. They come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but all have a limited range of motion.
A high pressure shower head maximizes the flow of water through the shower head for a powerful spray. Waterpik® shower head engineers design water passages to minimize flow restriction and optimize the shower force, and put every shower head design through more than 1,000 hours of testing.
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.
Low pressure in a shower can be caused by several issues such as a clogged showerhead, a worn-out mixing valve, closed valve, leaking pipe, or even a faulty water heater. Don't get overwhelmed though, because we're here to help you narrow down and identify the cause of your shower woes.
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.
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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.
Many people don't realize it, but shower heads should actually be replaced every 6 to 8 months.
Choosing the Right Pressure of Water
If your home doesn't have enough water pressure for the head you choose, water won't be able to flow with enough strength or consistency to be effective. Most shower heads need between 40 and 60 psi. Check your home's water pressure and purchase a showerhead that will work for it.
Not every home has high enough pressure to accommodate high-pressure heads. Lower levels of water pressure can affect your shower head's power. If you have low pressure, look for a shower head designed for low water pressure. While they use less water, they still provide a full shower experience.
After extensive testing and many, many showers, we found that the Hydroluxe 24 Function Ultra-Luxury 3-way 2 in 1 (available at Amazon) is the best shower head you can buy. It features strong water pressure, easy installation, and a variety of settings that made our tester feel cleaner.
Two big reasons: To help lower utility bills -- and to conserve water. According to the EPA, the average family could save 2,700 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, they will also save energy.
A quick and easy way to increase water pressure is to adjust the pressure-reducing valve, which can be found in your home, usually close to your water meter.
Please keep in mind that all new faucets since 1994 are restricted to conserve water per EPA code mandates. Older faucets had no restrictions. Beyond intentional flow restriction, new installations can sometimes have reduced flow if the lines are not flushed prior to installation of aerators or shower heads.
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.
Select a shower head with less than 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) flow rate. Determine if you want an aerating or laminar-flow shower head. Aerating means that the water is mixed with air, which would make a mist-like spray.
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.
If you've just installed a brand-new showerhead and find that the pressure is suddenly lower, it's probably because you've purchased a water-saving showerhead. Check the labels around the rim, or perform the showerhead GPM test as described below.
In most cases this indicates a fixture specific problem. If the faucet water has good pressure, but not the shower head, the shower head is likely clogged. If your shower head is old, it may be time to replace it.
Step 1: Determine if the low water pressure is limited to your shower or if it's present throughout your home. You can do this by turning on various faucets and observing the pressure. If you notice the same low pressure everywhere… Your main water shutoff valve might be partially closed.
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.
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.