A New Reason to Sing in the Shower: EPA Releases New WaterSense Certified Showerheads

The US EPA recently announced that new WaterSense certified showerheads are now available through retailers across the country. More efficient showerheads are one of the easiest and most cost-effective ways to save water and energy within the household.

In the United States, showering accounts for nearly 17 percent of indoor residential water use, or approximately 1.2 trillion gallons annually. Because showerheads typically use hot water, showering also requires massive amounts of energy. Using the new WaterSense certified showerheads, the average household can cut back on their shower related water and energy consumption by close to 20 percent while still enjoying a refreshing shower equal to or better than standard competitors.

So how much water and energy can be saved with WaterSense certified showerheads? Here’s what the folks at WaterSense have to say:

“The average household could save more than 2,300 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, households will also save energy. In fact, a household could save 300 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power its television use for about a year. If every household in the United States installed WaterSense labeled showerheads, we could save more than $1.5 billion in water utility bills and more than 250 billion gallons of water annually, which could supply more than 2.5 million U.S. homes with their water needs for a year. In addition, we could avoid about $2.5 billion in energy costs for heating water.”

Aside from increased efficiency alone, another great thing about WaterSense showerheads is that they are third-party approved so you know that you are getting a great performing, consumer tested product that won’t leave you with suds in your hair when you step out of the shower. In order to gain the WaterSense seal of approval, manufacturers must submit their products for rigorous testing. Because WaterSense certification testing criteria is based on customer satisfaction, manufacturers can also learn exactly what the consumer wants and can see how their products are measuring up. As an article (PDF) in the American Water Works Association Journal explains:

As with all WaterSense specifications, the draft showerhead specification includes criteria to ensure that consumers will not have to sacrifice performance in order to achieve water savings.

The draft WaterSense specification sets the mazimum flow rate for showerheads at 2.0 gmp at a range of flow pressures up to 80 psi, which is 20% more water-efficient than the current federal standard of 2.5 gmp specified in the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The draft specification also defines the necessary qualities of a satisfactory shower, namely:

• Pressure compensation—how well the showerhead maintains its flow at different water pressures,

• Spray pattern—how the shower-head distributes water, and

• Spray intensity—how powerful the flow is for effectively rinsing off soap and shampoo lather.

USEPA conducted comsumer testing in October 2008 to determine and evaluate these characteristics. Nearly 40 individuals ranging in age from 22 to 78 collectively evaluated 22 showerheads in the comfort of their homes and provided valuable feedback regarding each showerhead’s performance.

Among other findings, consumer testing revealed three main trends. First, people strongly dislike showerheads that force water in a single jet from the middle of the showerhead. Second, they tend to object to showerheads that spray in a “donut” pattern, with plenty of water around the circumference and nothing in the middle. Third, weak sprays just didn’t measure up.

This new WaterSense seal-of-approval for showerheads is a huge step in the right direction towards residential water and energy efficiency. Be sure to urge your local utilities to highlight the water and energy benefits of WaterSense certified showerheads, and encourage local businesses and appliance stores to adopt these great new products. With WaterSense certification you can now be sure that your showerheads and other WaterSense certified appliance fixtures are the most efficient and best performing products on the market.

The EPA also produced a factsheet that you can use for outreach to promote the new WaterSense certified showerheads. Download: WaterSense Showerhead factsheet (PDF).