It’s not easy to get the right temperature in your shower. Too cold can cause severe shock. Too hot and you could get scalded. This is why people wait to turn on the shower before they go in, and then wait for the water temperature to reach their desired temperature. This means that a lot more heated water is going down the drain.
You can save water and reduce your utility bills by updating your shower fixture plumbing. Learn how thermostatic fixtures can help regulate the water temperature.
Waiting for the warmth
According to the EPA, about 20% of all showers go unutilized while bathers wait for the water temperature to reach the right level. An average eight-minute shower and 2.5 gallons per minute of water flowing through a standard showerhead, that amounts to approximately four gallons worth of wasted water. It’s not only water that goes to waste, but also energy and heat loss. This creates inefficiency.
Some people leave their bathroom while waiting for hot water to reach the shower fixtures. The length of time it takes for heated water to reach your shower fixture can be affected by plumbing factors. This includes distance from the hot water heater, water pressure in your home and pipes diameter.
The longer the home is, the more time it takes. If you get distracted, you can let the water heat up for several minutes before you turn on the water. Heat-sensing showerheads are the solution.
Hit the Heated Sweet Spot
Some brands make shower fixture plumbing that has thermostatic shutoff valves. This means that the water flow will stop once it reaches a specific temperature.
This way, even if the shower takes too long to heat up, the showerhead can still turn on the water and let you go. The showerhead will reduce waste by not releasing hot water until you are ready. Although you technically waste water by allowing the hot water to heat up, you won’t be wasting heat energy.
The EPA estimates that the average household uses approximately 17 percent of its household water in the shower. This is 30 gallons per day. Americans use 1.2 trillion gallons of water to shower each year. This is a huge number, especially considering the fact that many areas of the country are experiencing droughts. Every penny saved counts.
Additional or stand alone
There are many options available for heat-sensing technology. You can either buy valves that you can add to your existing shower fixtures or get thermostatic showerheads. You can also capture any cold water that is not being used, by purchasing a greywater recycling system. This will redirect it to the toilet and irrigation system.
If you’re looking for other opportunities to safeguard against flood damage, or if you’re facing repairs in the aftermath of a recent flood, contact a qualified plumber today. Contact us .