Eco-Friendly Shower Heads

How can you lower your electric bill while also conserving water and extending the life of your septic tank? Comfort and cleanliness does not have to be thrown out the window to accomplish it.

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If you guessed changing your shower head…..you are right. Newer shower heads have a flow of 2.5 gallon per minute. If your showerhead was made before 1992, it uses 5.5 gallons per minute. . But, with a few dollars, you can invest in an eco friendly low flow shower head that cuts water flow to around 1.6 gallons per minute. This can save you 30-40% on your water bill. The low flow shower head spray strength really depends on your water pressure. Some could be as low as 20 PSI, while others can be around 80 PSI.

If you don’t like the idea of low flow, it’s okay. There are also smart flow shower heads that do not leak one drop of water until the water is warmed to 95 degrees. Once the water reaches 95 degrees, a smart censor automatically allows the water to start flowing. This can save you 75 dollars a year on energy and 2700 gallons of water per year- reducing your water bill as well.

If you like both ideas, there are shower head that have low flow and smart flow.

These eco friendly shower heads starts at $10.00 -$ 20.00 for a plastic model or $75.00- $120.00 for a chrome model. Really, they range about like a regular shower head. There are high dollar ones, but also cheap ones like pictured above. There are several brands available. Many of which you can find on line under a key word search for “low flow shower heads.” There are also several chain stores like Lowes, Home Depot, Bed Bath & Beyond, etc.. that have started carrying the eco shower heads.

Two bonus ideas to conserve water:

When you decide to remodel, build a house, or convert to green think about replacing your prehistoric toilet with an ultra low flush one. It reduces flush water by 70%. The average toilet uses 18 liters per flush. Ultra low flush toilets only use 6 liters per flush. Of course, toilets are expensive. If you don’t want to spend the money on a new one, you can convert your old toilet with a dual-flush kit. These kits start at $5.00 and can significantly reduce the amount of flush water an old toilet uses.

You can check for water leaks in any toilet by placing a few drops of food coloring into the tank. Do not flush the toilet for 30 min. If after 30 min the color has seeped into the bowl, then you have a leak. Leaks can run up your water bill and waste hundreds of gallons of water.