What's the Cost of Your Shower?

Showerheads manufactured after 1992 are required to use less water than their predecessors ( a maximum of 2.5 gallons per minute). If your showerhead was manufactured before 1992, consider replacing it with a higher efficiency model. Use this test to find out whether a new showerhead could save water, energy, and money:

1. Place a bucket (marked in gallons) under your shower head.
2. Turn on the shower at the normal water pressure you use.
3. Time how many seconds it takes to fill the bucket to the one-gallon mark.
4. If it takes less than 20 seconds to reach the one-gallon mark, you could benefit from a low-flow shower head.

The U. S. Department of Energy also offers a cost calculator to help determine water usage:

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/femp/procurement/eep_faucets_showerheads_calc.html

The calculator factors in expected usage, power and water costs and flow rates..

Consider replacing kitchen and bathroom faucets with low-flow models to further reduce water usage. Similar to low-flow showerheads, these are also inexpensive and easy to install. When purchasing a high-efficiency showerhead or faucet, look for a flow rate of 2.75 gallons per minute or less. When replacing a non-conserving fixture, take the old showerhead or faucet with you to the store to make sure that the new fixture is compatible.

For a relatively small investment of time, money and effort, the average household with non-conserving showerheads and faucets could significantly reduce its water use and energy bills.