How is everyone? Looks like to haze is back. The weather is so humid and dusty, making many people fall to sickness, including me. I am doing my preparation for the upcoming BEX Asia Expo in Singapore and this hazy days doesn't make things go smoothly.
So after a busy day, working out on my papers, I have decided to have a nice bath in the hotel (not Marina Bay Sands as I can't really afford it) and it is very relaxing. Then I have a thought, is the shower head an energy efficient tool that can control the water flow? Well let's find out, shall we?
The above figures are based on a shower head that reduces the flow to 7 litres per minute and the cost units on electricity and water are based on 2011 figures. If you limit your shower to 7 minutes and setting the geyser at 60°C, and use a low flow shower head that will reduce the flow rate from around 20 litres / minute to between 7 litres per minute and 9 litres per minute, you can save 35 litres of water per shower.
Do the maths on this and you will see that if 4 people shower every day for 30 days, that's 140 litres of water per day, 980 litres per week and 3920 litres per month, just by using energy saving shower heads. On the electricity energy side , this would amount to at least half of that water saved being hot (1960 litres) and that would also reduce electricity consumption significantly.
So after a busy day, working out on my papers, I have decided to have a nice bath in the hotel (not Marina Bay Sands as I can't really afford it) and it is very relaxing. Then I have a thought, is the shower head an energy efficient tool that can control the water flow? Well let's find out, shall we?
What is Energy Efficient Shower Head?
At first glance , this may seem to be a crazy concept…but bear with me…just think about how long you spend in a shower. With the water and electricity that you use in a normal shower, you could reduce that as a monthly cost by using one of these energy saving shower heads. By using less water (hot and cold), you would be able to effectively reduce the amount of electricity need to power that hot water, as well as the water usage.
How much does it save?
Electricity and Water Savings Table
| Ordinary Shower Head Flow Rate | Water Savings Litres | Electricity Savings kWh | Monetary Savings Rands |
| 15 litres per minute | 37 800 | 873 | RM 250 |
| 18 litres per minute | 45 360 | 1 053 | RM 296 |
| 20 litres per minute | 50 400 | 1 170 | RM 329 |
The above figures are based on a shower head that reduces the flow to 7 litres per minute and the cost units on electricity and water are based on 2011 figures. If you limit your shower to 7 minutes and setting the geyser at 60°C, and use a low flow shower head that will reduce the flow rate from around 20 litres / minute to between 7 litres per minute and 9 litres per minute, you can save 35 litres of water per shower.
Do the maths on this and you will see that if 4 people shower every day for 30 days, that's 140 litres of water per day, 980 litres per week and 3920 litres per month, just by using energy saving shower heads. On the electricity energy side , this would amount to at least half of that water saved being hot (1960 litres) and that would also reduce electricity consumption significantly.
The Good, The Bad & The Not-So Ugly
How to strike a balance between conservation of water, energy efficient management, conservation of money and conservation of liberty? So I list down the pros & cons of an energy efficient shower heads and you make your call.
PROS
- Easy to install.
- Saves you money on your monthly water bill.
- Will also save you money on your electric or gas bill (depending on how your water heater is powered).
- Inexpensive.
- Gives you the peace of mind knowing that you are taking steps to create a more energy-efficient home.
CONS
- Some models may not offer the same high-pressure water stream associated with traditional shower heads.
- There's often times a time lag from when you adjust the temperature and the water changes.
- Because low-flow shower heads combine water with air, the droplets cool faster than traditional shower heads.
The Verdict
Living better is a trade off between conflicting desires: to do better by the planet, and have all the comforts that come with destroying it. Nothing sums that up better than the aim of the eco shower heads which is to have as strong a stream as a regular shower, while using less water.
Showering – even if it is from a grimy, lime-scaley, rusty old showerhead – is like getting a head massage. If I can get that feeling while saving water, bingo and I’ve been taking eco showers for years, unintentionally.
Eco shower is good but without good water pressure, I seriously doubt that it would deliver a good shower experience. It all depends on the home owners if they want to save more money on their electricity bill or they prefer to have an enjoyable showering moment. But with the new technology coming in as fast as you count 1,2,3, why not try having the best of both worlds?
