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

[Seth Williams]

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?

[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.