You don’t have to completely renovate your bathroom to see changes in it. Small changes, like faucets or showerheads, can make your bathroom look more stylish than it previously did, and you may even see dramatic savings in your energy bills with new fixtures or appliances. You might be asking if changing out shower heads can make that big of a difference in your energy bills? The answer is yes, and here’s how.
Go with the Flow, the Low Flow
Any new shower head you purchase will be deemed a low flow shower head. High flow shower heads, which you will find in homes built before the 1990s if they haven’t been changed out, can put out as much as 5.5 gallons of water per minute. Low flow shower heads will max out around 2.5 gallons, per minute running. This is the simplest way to ensure you are using less water since showers tend to be the place where the most water is used in an average home.
Less Hot Water Draw
After installing a low flow showerhead, you’re obviously going to use less water. However, you’re actually using less hot water too. Why does that matter? Well, it gives your hot water heater a break, which means you’re using less gas to heat the water delivered to your shower. Not only are you saving money by using less water, you’ll be heating less water so multiple utilities are impacted by changing out the shower head.
Keep Your Showerhead Clean
Installing low flow shower heads is a big part of reducing your water usage, but it isn’t necessarily enough. At first, you won’t need to worry about cleaning your shower head however over time there will be build up – from calcium bicarbonate particles in your water – in the shower head which will prevent water from flowing freely when you turn on the shower. In addition to the build-up, areas that are warm and moist – which almost all bathrooms are – are especially susceptible to mold growth, so it’s a good idea to keep shower heads clean with regular cleanings.
Showerhead Options
When it comes to purchasing a new shower head that will save you all kinds of money, you aren’t limited to specific designs. All new showerheads that you find in any home improvement store will be low flow. This means you can pick out a huge rain shower head, a detachable one or even both. You can legitimately pick out any showerhead you want to suit you and your family’s style. Overall, changing your showerhead will not only make your bathroom look modern, but it will also give you savings by reducing your utility expenses. It’s also easy to ensure your savings continue over the course of your life in the home by cleaning your shower heads on a regular basis and keeping them free of buildup and residue.
Interested in updating your shower head, but you don't know how to install a new one? Trust A. McKenna Plumbing in Oakville, Ontario for quick and efficient service. We serve the Oakville, Burlington, Milton, Mississauga and Etobicoke area.