Water saving shower heads are an easy change that saves water and saves you money. Not only will you use less water overall, which is good for the planet, you'll pay for less water, and you'll heat less water which will save energy and money, too.

So why doesn't everyone have water saving shower heads? There use to be some trade-offs with a low flow shower head and not everyone was ready to make the change. A chief complaint used to be that the pressure just wasn't high enough. But new shower heads have improved features like water pressure that take most of the sting out of going green, so if you haven't looked at water shaving shower heads in a while, it's time to revisit your home improvement store.

No matter what kind of shower head you have, unless it was sold before 1992, it has a maximum flow rate of 2.5 gallons because that's a federal regulation. So any shower head you choose that has a lower flow rate will reduce your water and energy consumption. The flow rates are listed on water saving shower heads to help you choose. If the low flow shower head is more expensive, look at the flow rate. If it's anywhere between 1.5 and 1.75 gallons per minute, it can reduce your water and energy output by 30% to 40%, which justifies the expense over the long run.

Opt for water saving shower heads that list a pressure range somewhere between 40 and 80 PSI (pounds per square inch). The lower the PSI, lower the pressure of the water spray, so choose depending on your preference.

You can also choose between aerating and laminar-flow water saving shower heads. Aerating shower heads spray the water in a mist, mixed with air, for a full-spray feeling. Laminar-flow shower heads don't mix air in, so the shower spray comes out in strong, individual streams of water. Your choice should be based on your personal preference. Either way, a shower head with close to 80 PSI will feel closer to your normal shower than a lower PSI head.

A new water saving shower head on the market costs about $30 and can dramatically lower your water and energy bills. Called the "It Makes Sense" shower head, the manufacturer claims it can save up to 88% of the water and energy wasted in a typical shower. This chain pull shower head lets you start and stop the flow by pulling down and holding a chain to start the water flow, which stops when you release it. This lets you use water only when you need it. No more running out of hot water before you're done. And if you want to go hands-free for a bit, you simply flip a lever to indulge.

Water saving shower heads are no more difficult to install than standard shower heads, so look into low flow heads when you're ready to make a change.

Photo Credits: stevendepolo

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Bathroom, Handy Man, Shower

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aerating, chief complaint, energy consumption, energy output, flow rates, flow water, gallons per minute, home improvement store, low flow, matter what kind, maximum flow rate, new water, personal preference, pounds per square inch, psi, shower heads, shower spray, trade offs, water pressure, water spray