Shower Heads

There are those who feel that for a quick shower any old shower head will accomplish the job regardless of the water used and the energy used. This is what many people do not realize; that the wrong kind of shower head can cost you hundreds of extra dollars a year in your water and energy bill not to mention the wasted thousands of gallons of water. This can be avoided by simply choosing the right shower head. Not all shower heads are the same. There are ordinary shower heads and then there are those which measure just the right of temperature and oxygen for your skin.

There are literally hundreds of shower head models available in today's market. This is a good thing because there is definitely going to be something for everyone. The cost of a shower head depends on the model and also the features. A regular shower head will run you around $100, and it is not entirely outlandish for you to spend over $1,000 for more elaborate fixtures which come with more features. When shopping for a shower head, remember installation. Even if you have some great bathroom ideas, it is not good to buy something that will later cost you more in expensive bathroom re-decorations and plumbing adjustments.

When buying a shower head you must do your research and ask yourself some questions.  How many ways of spraying water does the shower head have? People tend to go for the shower heads that come with adjustable spray settings. Larger adjustable heads are also doing well in the market. There are hand held models and wall mounted models. Vertical shower  heads are also popular due to their spa-like features which can be enjoyed easily from the comfort of one's home. The saying you get what you pay for also applies to shower heads.

The most popular shower heads today are the reduced flow showerheads whose popularity stems from their  energy-saving features which also reduce the amount of water uyilized. To be classified as low or reduced flow showerheads, these must restrict the flow of water to just 2.5 gpm (gallons per minute) or less (about 9.5 liters/min). This is an extremely effective method of conserving water and reducing overall energy bills. In fact, research has shown that water conservation is not on many homeowners agenda when performing energy-saving home evaluations. Buying the right kind of shower head will determine how a home conserves water and thereby energy.

Unfortunately most of the shower heads made before 1992 do not have the necessary efficiency and are downright wasteful pumping up to 5 gpm (19 liters/min).  A great way to test whether you have the right shower head is to place a bucket with marks that measure each gallon under your showerhead. Then quickly turn the water on and measure the time it takes for the gallon to fill up. This should take more than 20 seconds. If it takes less, then it means your showerhead is wasteful and you could be a candidate for a new water-conserving shower head.