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How to Choose the Best Low Flow Shower Heads

7 Things Besides Price to Consider When Buying a Low Flow Shower Head

You have many options when looking for a new low flow shower head.  Recently I worked with a major REIT (Real Estate Investment Trust) with thousands of apartment units to help them find the best shower head that met the following criteria:

• Saves water and energy
• Provides a quality showering experience
• Is attractive and matches their décor and
• Is less than $40 each

 

After trying showerheads that cost as little as $2.00 each to as much as $40 each in several properties in their portfolio, we found there are 7 factors that make up a good shower head.

1.       Pressure Compensating Technology

Many newer models have built in pressure compensating components so no matter what the water pressure is – as low as 20 psi to as high as 80 or 90 psi – the gallons per minute used and the feel of the shower remains fairly consistent.  

Since water pressure varies from building to building and region to region this was a very important factor

2.       Full Face Spray Pattern

The spray pattern is a major factor in a determining how a shower feels.  What we found is that people overwhelmingly liked the full face spray with many nozzles covering the full face of the showerhead.  This spreads out the water so that it doesn’t sting your skin like many of the cheaper brands we tested.

3.       Aesthetics

Like many consumers my client wanted elegant looking shower heads without the cost associated with higher end fixtures.  Fortunately there a many options to choose from that will match just about any décor including polished chrome and brass and brushed nickel. 

4.       Anti-clog Spray Nozzles

Showerheads with metal faces tend to clog up and deteriorate much faster than the newer rubberized showerheads.  The flexible nozzles can be cleaned by running a fingernail across the surface while the water is running.  This reduces maintenance time and extends the life expectancy of the equipment.

5.       Uses under 1.6 gallons per minute

The maximum flow rate allowed by law is 2.5 gpm.  One of the goals of our study was to determine if an even lower flow showerhead (there are a number available) could meet their criteria.  Turns out a few did.

6.       Non-aerating

Aerating is the introduction of air into the water flow path to enlarge the size of the water bubbles.  This makes it feel like there is more water than there really is.  Unfortunately the addition of the cooler air means that hotter water is required to maintain the same temperature. 

Comfort (aerated) versus energy conservation (non-aerated).  Luckily we found a few non-aerated models that provide a comfortable showering experience as well.

7.        Energy Conserving

I have addressed 2 features that conserve energy – pressure compensating (at higher pressures more water is forced through the nozzles of non-pressure compensating fixtures wasting water and energy) and non-aerating technologies. 

Another feature I found that conserves water and energy is a technology that turns off the water after it heats up during the warm up phase of your shower.  When you are ready to step in just pull a chain and your warm shower is ready for you. 

Many times when the shower is turned on in the morning you have to wait several minutes for the water to heat up.  Most of us tend to turn and do something else and return when there is steam in the shower. 

By turning off the water as soon as it’s ready several gallons that normally are wasted are conserved every time you take a shower. 

We found that even though we had a number of showerheads that met 4 or 5 or even 6 of the criteria outlined above, only one met all 7.  The Evolve Roadrunner Low Flow Shower Head.  Here are the features and benefits that make it the best showerhead for my not only my client’s money but yours as well:

• 1.59 gpm flow rate
• Full face spray pattern
• Elegant look - comes in chrome or nickel
• Shower feels great even with lower water pressures
• Anti-clog spray nozzles – very easy to clean
• ShowerStart – see number 7 above
• Non-aerating – doesn’t add air to the water, uses less energy and still feels great

 

The best price I have found is $37.00 at Amazon.com.  Search for Roadrunner Shower Head and sort by price – lowest to highest.  If you’re looking for more than just 1 or 2 check out The-Energy-Conservation-Store.com and contact them for a quantity discount.

About the Author

Click here to go to Amazon.com

The Energy Conservation Store

Mark Franklin is a nationally recognized energy conservation expert and holds 4 patents on water and energy conservation technologies. His clients include multi-family and hospitality building owners and management companies although many of his technologies and strategies apply to single family homeowners as well.

Mr. Franklin lives in San Diego, CA with his 14 year old son and can be reached at Mark@SavesYouEnergy.com or by leaving a message in the comment section below.

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