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Home » Energy Savings, Water Savings, Your Environment

Low Flow Showerheads: A 640 Percent ROI in One Year!

Submitted by G.E. Miller on Friday, 30 October 20092 Comments

low flow showerhead

Probably the best money and energy saving device that I’ve ever purchased has been an Alsons low flow showerhead. The return on investment on these things is ridiculous. Through the above Amazon link, you can get it on sale for $35 at the moment, with free shipping.

What’s great about this showerhead, among other things, is that it has a switch to flip between 1.85 gallons per minute (gpm) and 2.5 gpm. I use the 1.85 gpm setting and it makes for a great shower. My guests are welcome to use the higher setting if they choose. Contrary to popular belief, I don’t miss the energy, money, and water wasting old showerhead at all. This showerhead has a special high volume spray design that makes for a satisfying shower.

Why Use an Energy Star Low Flow Showerhead?

One 10 minute shower with an inefficient shower head uses 55 gallons (5.5 gpm) on average, while an Energy Star model uses less than half that (2.5 gpm). Most showerheads made before 1992 have a 5.5 gpm flow.

Making the switch would save a family of four 27,500 gallons of water and about $260 in energy costs per year (not to mention the water costs.

That’s right, a $35 investment would save you $225 in year one and $260 every year thereafter. Where else can you get a 640% return on investment within just one year while helping to preserve the environment?

Not Sure if you have a Low Flow Showerhead?

Take a gallon bucket and hold it up to your showerhead. Turn on the shower and measure out how many buckets you fill in one minute.

How to Replace your Showerhead

Swapping showerheads is VERY EASY. Simply take a standard set of pliers and turn the fastener counter-clockwise to remove the old showerhead. Next, turn the fastener on the new showerhead clockwise to fasten. If you’re concern about leaks apply a little plumbing tape to the inside of the new showerhead before fastening.

It’s literally a 2 minute job!

Frugalhead Discussion:

  • Do you have a low flow showerhead?
  • What flow rate is your showerhead?
  • If you haven’t made the switch, why?

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2 Comments »

  • Broke M.B.A. said:

    Thanks for the product recommendation and money saving stats. I’m moving to new home Friday and will have to install a shower in guest bathroom and the master bath needs a new head as well.

  • G.E. Miller (author) said:

    @ Broke – Congrats on the new home!

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