Will An Eco Showerhead Really Get Me Clean?
One of the best ways to save water in the home is to switch to green plumbing appliances. In the past few years, a wide variety of sustainable fixtures have become available, including water-saving showerheads.
Most of the mainstream eco showerheads on the market are low-flow fixtures that are intended to reduce water consumption levels. For environmentally-conscious consumers, the appeal is fairly self-evident. Likewise, property owners interested in cutting back on their water bill have some financial incentive to install an eco showerhead.
But for many consumers, the immediate reaction to thee devices is skepticism. For one thing, do they actually save that much water? More importantly, will they get me clean as quickly as an ordinary showerhead?
Let's take a look:
How they work
There is a variety of eco showerheads on the market that all claim to reduce total water consumption and cut back on utility bills without sacrificing shower pressure, one model of eco showerhead known as the EcoCamel Jetstorm "injects air directly into the water stream." Despite the fact that it dispels approximately 2 gallons per minute (which is well below the maximum allowable GPM of 2.5), the inclusion air propulsion is intended to keep the shower feeling like it delivers a full-force stream that'll clean you off.
A competing alternative to the EcoCamel is the PulseEco. As implied in the name, the PulseEco saves water by pulsating 30 to 40 times per second. Supposedly, this uses half the amount of water a regular shower would, but the pulsing is fast enough that there is no discernable difference in pressure.
It's worth noting that even with the 2.5 GPM cap in place, many homeowners and tenants continue to use older showerheads that may have been installed long before they actually moved in. The GPM of these older fixtures may be closer to 3. If they were manufactured in the early to mid 1990s, this number can jump up to 5 GPMs.
The verdict
Most eco-friendly showers are designed to deliver more than enough water pressure to get you clean. However, some customers who have reviewed low-flow showerheads have made claims that they do not work well at all in home that have relatively weak water pressure. In these cases, it's advisable to try to save water in other ways, such as taking shorter showers and turning off the tap while you brush your teeth or shave.
However, if you're determined to enjoy a long, relaxing shower experience but without the waste, and you just can't seem find a showerhead suited to your water pressures, contact your local Roto-Rooter plumbing professional. There could be a reason for why your home's water pressure is weak. Our experts will be able to identify the cause and provide guidance for next steps.