Searching for a showering device can seem like a nondescript activity, but the truth is everyone should be paying more attention to what they use in their shower. More and more products are being manufactured with the aim of reducing water usage and in effect energy bill costs.
These products are generally quite low priced, and very reasonable considering the amount of money they can save you in the long run. However, it’s important to become familiar with the various components of your shower, and ensure that items you buy will be compatible.
Homeowners interested in saving money through reduced energy bills will find that installing water reduction devices and carefully maintaining water usage will greatly cut costs. Some of these suggestions are obvious things that we all forget about, like turning off the shower when washing our hair.
Others involve buying and installing new devices, and these will save you a lot of money over time.
Saving Money in the Shower
If you’re using a shower rather than a bath you’re already on the way to saving money. Generally a bath requires one hundred litres of water to fill, while a standard shower uses about nine litres every minute. So, depending on how long you spend in the shower you could already be using much less water then you would in a bath.
However, there are still many ways to save water, energy and ultimately money.
Turn off the Faucets
Most people spend at least one minute washing their body, and another two to three lathering and washing their hair. If you turn off the shower while you do this you can save up to twenty seven litres of water.
Another good idea is to keep the temperature on a medium setting as opposed to a high heat, as the hotter temperatures require a lot of energy to sustain. Also consider buying a shower timer, and aim to reduce your time showering by one minute.
Low Consumption and Aerators
Low consumption shower heads reduce water use by up to 50%, and maintain the temperature of the water without using too much energy. Low consumption shower heads are generally reasonably priced, but remember to check if your shower uses a handheld or fixed shower head before starting a search. Faucet aerators are inexpensive and easy to install devices that work in a similar way to low consumption shower heads.
Installing a aerator can reduce water usage by up to 60%, and these devices will slash energy costs. A aerator will also filter out small debris, and they can be used to increase the pressure of a faucet. Homeowners looking for either of these devices are advised to buy from water efficiency specialists such as Agua Flux, and to make sure that the components are compatibile before making a purchase.
Avoid Power Showers
Although power showers can be extremely invigorating and relaxing, the truth is these devices often use much more water than a bath. Power showers are generally pump based, which means energy is being used to both heat the water and to pump it.
Pump showers are one of the biggest energy users found in homes today, so if you currently have one consider about having it replaced.
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Terance Nichols is a leading expert on energy efficiency in and around the home. Terance works with homeowners and businesses alike, with the aim of reducing unnecessary everyday consumption.