Low-Flow Showerheads

A standard residential showerhead uses 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm). However, a low-flow WaterSense-labeled showerhead uses only 2 gpm. That is a reduction of 20%, which can lead to a total household water savings of 2,300 gallons per year. Since this will also ease the demand on water heaters, it can create an energy savings of 300 kilo-watt hours per year as well. Assuming the same $10 per kilo-gallon charge as above, and $0.10 per kilo-watt hour of electricity, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead will create a total savings of more than $50 a year. This relates nicely to an average showerhead’s total installed price of $200, allowing a simple payback of four years with an ROI of 25%. Keep in mind that the ROI will be much higher if the installation is done by the homeowner.