in ,

7 Tips for Saving Water While You Shower

Many people in developed countries opt to shower instead of bathing, in order to preserve water. While the average bath uses between 35-50 gallons of water, a 10-minute shower using a low-flow showerhead only uses only 25 gallons. The average shower head delivers approximately 5 gallons (19 litres) per minute, which equals 50 gallons per person per shower. Of course, at that rate, you might as well take a bath.

These figures leave a dilemma, because a shower is so much faster than running a tub, but if you're going to use it, you may as well preserve the bath water. Still, you may want to shower. How do you save water in the shower?

Why You Should Save Water In the Shower

Technically, you should save water everywhere. Apart from saving money on utility bills, you will help prevent nearby watersheds, rivers and lakes from being polluted. By reducing soil saturation through conservation, you will extend the life of your septic system.

7 Tips for Saving Water in the Shower

Here are some of the top tips for saving water in the shower from Anta Plumbing's expert plumbing technicians.

1. Inspect your pipes and faucets for leaks

Of course, this applies to the whole home and not just the shower. Large leaks can waste hundreds of gallons of water, while even a small drip caused by a worn shower faucet washer can waste up to 20 gallons a day.

2. Install water-preserving fixtures and equipment

As a homeowner, you will find water-saving water restrictors or low-flow showerheads easy to install. Low-flow shower heads use less than 2.5 gallons per minute.

3. Reduce the amount of time you spend in the shower

Everyone loves a long, hot shower, but consider the amount of water wasted for each minute that you're just standing there. Reduce the amount of time spent in the shower to the actual time you need to wet your skin, wash and rinse off.

4. Install a converter

Shower converters can be installed on existing showerheads. These handy gadgets automatically pause running water once it gets warm.

5. Install an aerator

All showers and in fact, all household faucets, should have aerators fitted. Not only is it the best method of conserving water, but it is also the most cost-effective.

6. Don't wait for the water to get hot

By insulating your pipes, you will get hot water much faster than when you have to wait for the water to get hot. Insulating your hot water pipes with pre-slit foam pipe insulation is both inexpensive and easy.

7. Waste not, want not

Collect the water that runs while you wait in a bucket and use it to water your plants, or to rinse vegetables. Not only will this reduce the amount of water wasted, but it will be repurposed in a productive and efficient manner.

Unless you use the tips above, you're probably spending much more on wasted water than you should be doing. Apart from just the water, there is also the electricity to create heat. Our Toronto plumber tips will go a long way to saving water while you shower.

What do you think?

Written by Anta

Plumbing Guide to Flood Preparedness Planning

Allergies, Asthma: Is Your Dishwasher Making Your Child Sick?