Water-Saving Shower Heads - Know Of Any Good Ones?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Water-Saving Shower Heads - Know Of Any Good Ones?

Seth WilliamsPro Member
Specialist · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 582 posts · 353 votes

Here's my situation:

I own a duplex that is about 100 years old and my tenants pay for all of the utilities EXCEPT for city water (which comes out of my pocket each quarter).

Both of these rental units could benefit from some plumbing updates throughout (e.g. - 1.28 gallon toilets, eco-friendly faucets, eco-friendly shower heads, etc.) as a way of helping this rental property consume significantly less water (enough to save me a few hundred bucks each year... thereby allowing these plumbing updates to pay for themselves).

I've got the toilets and faucets all picked out (because I have personal experience with these and I know which ones are good) - but I'm not sure what to do about the shower heads...

I know that shower heads are an item that can be the biggest money-saver (because these tend to consume more water than anything else). That being said, the last thing I want to do is install shower heads that don't put out enough water - thereby creating an annoyance for my tenants.

It sounds like the current standard is for most shower heads to put out approx 2.5 GPM (gallons per minute). Some of the more eco-friendly options can put out significantly less... anywhere from 1.25, 1.5, 1.75 to 2.0 GPM (the lower the number, the more water they'll save).

  • Does anyone use these kinds of shower heads in their rental units?
  • Does anyone have personal experience with these shower heads in your own home?
  • Does a lower consumption shower head make a big difference in your water bill?
  • Is it annoying to take a shower when less water comes out?
  • Are there any suggestions for a shower head that does a great job?
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Sam Leon
Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
12y

Many of the "low flow" shower heads deliver the low flow by the presence of a low flow restrictor inside the shower head. If your tenants do not like the low flow, all they need to do is to open the shower head and pop out that restrictor.

If you want a tamper proof vandal resistant utility shower head get the ones they use in prison showers. Made by HighSierra $39.95.

Waterpik mades a few low flow ones that has gotten good feedback. Ecoflow is a model where it has a mode with less than 1 gallon a minute yet does not feel like it's low flow.

Finally, I am sure some of you remember Seinfeld's Kramer taking a shower with the Commando64 shower head and got blown away.

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  • Bill S.Pro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    I don't know which are best but you can bet if it supplies too little the tenants will change them for ones that flow more.

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  • Bill S.Pro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Denver, CO · Member since 2013 · 4k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    12y

    Oh and to answer your question. Assume a 10 minute shower by two people every day. Difference between and 2 gpm and an 1 gpm head would result in 20 gallons saved every day. Each month that would save 600 gallons and each year 7,200 gallons. Assuming the rate of $5 per 1,000 gallons that would result in about $35 per year saved in water per shower head. Biggest dollar savings would be in reduced hot water consumption and lower gas bill.

    Yes I use water saving shower heads. I just buy from HD and don't pay any attention to rates etc as long as is says "water saving".

    We have them in our home but primarily to save hot water (nat. gas bill). Wife and daughter don't like them as they make it hard to clean their hair of shampoo. No suggestions.

    1Reply
  • Seth WilliamsPro Member
    OP
    Specialist · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 582 posts · 353 votes
    12y

    Thanks for your feedback @Bill S. - that's helpful info for me to keep in mind.

    Anybody else have any ideas for me?

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  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    12y

    Delta makes a couple of low-flow (WaterSense certified models), but you need to check the model number as they also sell 2-2.5gpm models that look pretty much the same. Check out the Delta Monitor and the Lahara Monitor lines ... we've been using both - the tenants have been happy with the shower spray and we've been happy with the reduction in water usage.

    While a low-flow shower completes the effort, as @Bill S. mentioned, you will get more bank-for-your buck (or your tenant will) in hot-water reduction. From a purely water reduction perspective, a low-flow, dual flush (0.8/1.28 gallon) or single flush 1.28 gallon toilet if you don't think your tenants can master the dual, will save you the most ... especially if you are removing old 5-gallon/flush toilets.

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  • Seth WilliamsPro Member
    OP
    Specialist · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 582 posts · 353 votes
    12y

    Awesome, that's just what I was looking for. Thanks @Roy N.

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  • Jean BolgerPro Member
    Aurora, CO · Member since 2012 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    12y

    Some of those shower heads have a lever-thingy that will broaden or narrow the stream of water. I think that can improve your perception of how much water/pressure you're getting, since it can be adjusted for different preferences. I have one of these and like it, but it's been a while since I bought it so I have no idea at this point what the flow rate is (I remember it was billed as a water-saver) or the brand, sorry.

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  • Jon K.
    Member since 2011 · 798 posts · 216 votes
    12y

    How many gallons a minute are your showers now?

    If you get specifically low flow showerheads, the cheap <$10 ones at Home Depot, tenants will complain.

    They'll just switch them out back to "normal" ones- people like strong showers.

    There are some that use air pressure to make low flow feel stronger. Those were more than I wanted to spend, something like $30 a piece.

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  • Sam Leon
    Investor · Fort Lauderdale, FL · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
    12y

    Many of the "low flow" shower heads deliver the low flow by the presence of a low flow restrictor inside the shower head. If your tenants do not like the low flow, all they need to do is to open the shower head and pop out that restrictor.

    If you want a tamper proof vandal resistant utility shower head get the ones they use in prison showers. Made by HighSierra $39.95.

    Waterpik mades a few low flow ones that has gotten good feedback. Ecoflow is a model where it has a mode with less than 1 gallon a minute yet does not feel like it's low flow.

    Finally, I am sure some of you remember Seinfeld's Kramer taking a shower with the Commando64 shower head and got blown away.

    4Reply
  • Seth WilliamsPro Member
    OP
    Specialist · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2012 · 582 posts · 353 votes
    12y

    Awesome, thanks for the recommendations @Sam Leon

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  • Mark Haskins
    Investor · Salt Lake City, UT · Member since 2015 · 1 post · 0 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Sam Leon:

    Many of the "low flow" shower heads deliver the low flow by the presence of a low flow restrictor inside the shower head. If your tenants do not like the low flow, all they need to do is to open the shower head and pop out that restrictor.

    If you want a tamper proof vandal resistant utility shower head get the ones they use in prison showers. Made by HighSierra $39.95.

    Waterpik mades a few low flow ones that has gotten good feedback. Ecoflow is a model where it has a mode with less than 1 gallon a minute yet does not feel like it's low flow.

    Finally, I am sure some of you remember Seinfeld's Kramer taking a shower with the Commando64 shower head and got blown away.


    Junky low-flow heads come in two types: the kind that are essentially a regular shower head with a restrictor somewhere in them, and the kind that spray out a high-velocity mist. The former just don't put enough pressure behind the stream; you may as well be showering under a bucket with a few pin holes pricked in the bottom--these ones take too long to rinse you off, so people will take longer showers out of necessity. The latter spray out tiny droplets at a high velocity, and can feel like tiny needles as the spray hits the skin. Many people do not like how these feel. They also cause a lot more moisture in the air, fogging up the mirrors a lot faster, which is annoying to live with.  

    If you're going to go through with this, research carefully (WaterPik, for example, makes some good ones, but they're expensive), and try a few models out for yourself at home.

    I love that episode of Seinfeld with Kramer and his quest to find the most power shower head. If all else fails, get a Commando64 of your own.

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  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    11y

    @Mark Haskins

    There are several good to very good low flow shower heads available these days at 1.75, 1.5 and even, 1.25 usg/minute {standard shower head flows at 2.5 gpm}.

    Have a look at the Spoiler and Earth models available from AM Conservation Group {formerly part of Niagara Conservation who manufactures good low-flow, flapperless toilets}.

    NFI in Niagara, just a satisfied customer who has been using their products in our units for the past 3+ years.

    2Reply
  • Palash Khan
    Khulna, Khulna Division · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    9y

    Some of those shower heads have a lever-thingy that will broaden or narrow the stream of water.

     https://www.geekwrapped.com/guides/best-handheld-s...

    I

    think that can improve your perception of how much water/pressure you're getting, since it can be adjusted for different preferences. I have one of these and like it, but it's been a while since I bought it so I have no idea at this point what the flow rate is (I remember it was billed as a water-saver) or the brand, sorry.

    0Reply
  • Danny Farrell
    Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 61 posts · 15 votes
    8y

    Hey Gang, I just bought my first duplex and was researching water saving shower heads and came upon this post. I was wondering if anyone had any updated recommendations. Also, some of you mentioned that saving hot water is a more effective way to go. Could you tell me how one would go about saving hot water for their tenants? 

    0Reply
  • Justin Giroux
    Rental Property Investor · Member since 2018 · 10 posts · 2 votes
    8y

    I have the Handheld Niagara Earth Massage 1.5 gpm Showerhead Chrome at home and that works pretty well. I think I will get a vandal resistant showerhead for the apartments that I'm looking into buying. American Standard has a FloWise 1.5 gpm and Niagara has a Chrome Institutional Vandal Proof Showerhead 1.5 gpm. 

    0Reply
  • Anthony Wick
    Rental Property Investor · Ankeny, IA · Member since 2017 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    8y

    That's a lot of talk about shower heads. Can you get the water on two meters and have tenants pay their own water, or charge $50 a month for water back to them? Something easy like that. BP podcasts are always talking about charging utilities back to the tenants as a quick cash flow fix. 

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  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Anthony Wick:

    That's a lot of talk about shower heads. Can you get the water on two meters and have tenants pay their own water, or charge $50 a month for water back to them? Something easy like that. BP podcasts are always talking about charging utilities back to the tenants as a quick cash flow fix. 

    If the building has independent supply runs to each unit, you have the option of sub-metering water and billing each unit for their consumption. 

    0Reply
  • Dennis M.
    Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    8y
    @Seth Williams It’s just something else that tenants will be calling about on a Sunday evenIng -“my shower is broke ..there is no pressure and o think it’s clogged up “ That or they will smack the head with a hammer or unscrew the head oFF and let water dump out if the pipe like a garden hose effect .
    0Reply
  • Wesley W.
    Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    8y

    I use these and have been very happy thusfar:

    Delta Water Saving Shower Head

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  • Roy N.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Fredericton, New Brunswick · Member since 2013 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Dennis M.:
    @Seth Williams

    It’s just something else that tenants will be calling about on a Sunday evenIng

    -“my shower is broke ..there is no pressure and o think it’s clogged up “

    That or they will smack the head with a hammer or unscrew the head oFF and let water dump out if the pipe like a garden hose effect .

    You can get tamper-proof shower heads that cannot be "screwed off" ... many manufactures produce one or more such models.

    We install low-flow shower heads (1.25 - 1.5 USG/min) in all our units and have never had complaints or issues with tenants removing them.   If your water pressure is in the normal range (40-80) and you install one of the better quality heads, your tenants aren't likely to notice they are low flow.

    1Reply
  • Dennis M.
    Rental Property Investor · Erie, PA · Member since 2018 · 6k+ posts · 9k+ votes
    8y
    Originally posted by @Roy N.:
    Originally posted by @Dennis M.:
    @Seth Williams

    It’s just something else that tenants will be calling about on a Sunday evenIng

    -“my shower is broke ..there is no pressure and o think it’s clogged up “

    That or they will smack the head with a hammer or unscrew the head oFF and let water dump out if the pipe like a garden hose effect .

    You can get tamper-proof shower heads that cannot be "screwed off" ... many manufactures produce one or more such models.

    We install low-flow shower heads (1.25 - 1.5 USG/min) in all our units and have never had complaints or issues with tenants removing them.   If your water pressure is in the normal range (40-80) and you install one of the better quality heads, your tenants aren't likely to notice they are low flow.

    Thats interesting .. I’ll have  to try them . Thanks for that info 

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  • Mariana Kurko
    Member since 2022 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    2y

    I was just researching shower heads for water saving. I bought a house on a well and need to conserve water. This one was recommended and is very affordable. It has won innovation awards and also doesn't get clogged by minerals. It is available on Amazon too.

    https://www.highsierrashowerheads.com/shop/classic/

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