Latest news with #WaterSense-certified
Time Business News
27-06-2025
- General
- Time Business News
What Is the Ideal GPM for a Low Flow Shower Head?
Understanding the low flow shower head GPM is essential for anyone looking to conserve water without sacrificing comfort. GPM, or gallons per minute, measures the flow rate of water from your shower head. Choosing the right GPM ensures you enjoy an efficient and satisfying shower while saving water, energy, and money. GPM stands for gallons per minute—the amount of water your shower head releases each minute. For example, a 2.5 GPM shower head delivers 2.5 gallons of water every 60 seconds. This number directly affects water consumption, utility bills, and environmental impact. In the U.S., federal regulations cap shower heads at a maximum of 2.5 GPM. However, the Environmental Protection Agency's WaterSense program promotes products with a flow rate of 2.0 GPM or lower. These are considered low flow and are designed to perform efficiently without wasting water. Switching to a shower head with a lower GPM greatly reduces water usage. A standard shower head can use over 20 gallons of water for an 8-minute shower, while a low flow model using 1.5 GPM may use only 12 gallons. That difference adds up significantly over time. Using less water means lower monthly bills—not only for water but also for energy used to heat it. For families or multi-person households, a low flow shower head GPM can result in hundreds of dollars saved annually. Thanks to advancements in shower head technology, low flow no longer means low pressure. Most modern models incorporate air infusion or pressure-compensation technology to deliver strong, steady spray even at lower GPMs. The most common low flow shower heads on the market today are rated at 2.0 GPM. This is the maximum for a WaterSense-certified product. It delivers a good balance between water conservation and shower comfort for the average household. For users who want even more water savings without compromising experience, 1.5 to 1.75 GPM is often considered the sweet spot. These rates reduce water use by up to 40% compared to older 2.5 GPM models, while still offering sufficient pressure and coverage. If your goal is maximum conservation, consider ultra-low flow options at 1.25 GPM or below. However, be aware that performance may feel softer—especially in homes with lower water pressure. These are ideal for eco-conscious individuals or households in drought-prone areas. Before purchasing, test the water pressure in your home. Low pressure combined with a low GPM may result in an unsatisfactory experience. If your water pressure is strong, a 1.5 GPM shower head should still feel powerful. Consider the number of people in your home and how often showers are taken. More users mean more cumulative water usage, making a lower GPM more valuable over time. A single user might not see a major impact, while a large family certainly would. Some people prefer a more forceful spray and might find 2.0 GPM more suitable. Others are content with a gentle flow and can comfortably go down to 1.25 GPM. Trying different models with adjustable settings can help you find your preferred balance. These mix air with water to produce a misty, full spray. Aerated models feel softer and can cool water slightly due to air mixing, which might be preferable in warm climates. These produce solid water streams without mixing air. They're quieter, retain water temperature better, and work well in colder environments. This ensures consistent flow regardless of fluctuations in home water pressure. With these models, a 1.5 GPM shower head can feel nearly as strong as a standard one. Look on your existing shower head for a stamp or label indicating GPM. It's often printed on the face or side. To measure your current shower head's flow rate: Place a gallon-sized container beneath your shower head. Turn on the water to full blast. Time how many seconds it takes to fill the container. Divide 60 by the number of seconds. The result is your current GPM. For example, if it takes 20 seconds to fill one gallon, your GPM is 3.0, which is higher than the recommended low flow range. Even with a low flow GPM, longer showers increase water use. Try to keep showers under 10 minutes for the best savings. Pair your low flow shower head with water-saving faucets and toilets to maximize efficiency throughout your home. A dripping shower head can waste hundreds of gallons per year. Ensure all fixtures are properly sealed and maintained. The ideal low flow shower head GPM depends on your specific needs and preferences, but most households will benefit from models rated between 1.5 and 2.0 GPM. This range provides the best balance between comfort, water conservation, and energy savings. As long as you choose a modern, high-quality product—especially one with pressure-compensating or aerating technology—you can enjoy a luxurious shower while making a responsible environmental choice. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
Yahoo
03-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Will the tap run dry? Most Utahns worry that will be our reality
Slightly less than half of Utahns seem to believe the state has enough water to meet our needs today, but 57% doubt that we will have enough water 20 years from now, according to a new study of Utahns' perceptions and priorities regarding water. The study released Thursday was conducted by Envision Utah in partnership with Utah Water Ways, the Utah Division of Water Resources and the Office of the Great Salt Lake Commissioner. Other key findings include: Three out of four survey respondents were at least moderately concerned about water in Utah, and survey respondents rated water as the state's No. 2 priority behind housing/cost of living. Utahns are fairly split on whether or not their actions can make a difference through water conservation. Nine out of 10 respondents believe that they use less water than the average household, but 41% feel guilty for the amount of water they use on their landscaping. Survey respondents erroneously believe that more water is used statewide on indoor uses (like showering or washing dishes) than on outdoor irrigation and landscaping, but a majority see curbing outdoor water use as the most important way to reduce water use overall. The survey was conducted among 800 Utah residents in summer 2024. It found that Utahns seem to have a fairly sophisticated understanding of the role water plays in their quality of life — including hygiene, drinking water and food production as well as broader topics like the overall economy and outdoor recreation. Landscaping emerged in the survey as the No. 1 way to solve the water problem. Utah has made investments to make water-wise landscaping more attainable. More information can be found here. Some examples include savings of up to $150 to replace aging, high-water-use toilets with WaterSense-certified, water-conserving alternatives with a limit of two per household, and smart controller irrigation rebates of $100. Regionally, 63% of the state's population is qualified to receive up to $3 per square foot of incentive when they replace existing lawns with waterwise plants and other landscaping. Jason Brown, executive vice president of communications and education at Envision Utah, said a surprise takeaway from the survey is the worry by Utah residents that there will not be enough water to meet demand 20 years from now. 'To be honest, from a water conservation perspective, we were a little bit relieved that there's that much concern about the future because our water does sort of cycle from year to year, where one year we have a really dry year, we don't have a ton of snowpack, and then, you know, the next year we might have a lot more. It's easy to maybe get dismissive and say, 'You know what? It's going to be just fine.'' Brown said he believes those numbers represent an awakening among residents about the realities that come from living in Utah. 'I think what we see there is people recognizing that we're in a desert state and that water does seem to vary from our water levels in our communities and in the mountains and lakes and our snowpack,' he said. 'The reality is we are a desert state, and we are going to have to make some changes to how we use our water if we want to make sure that we have enough for the future. And so for people to be recognizing that this is going to be a challenge is honestly probably a good thing,' Brown said. 'It is probably a good place for us to be, living in the state that we live.' He said the groups were also surprised to learn that most people mistakenly believe indoor water consumption outpaces the water used on landscaping. 'There seems to be a perception that, you know water waste, or the most water that's being wasted or that's used is occurring inside people's homes when the reality is that our outdoor water use is generally a lot higher than what we use and waste indoors,' Brown said. With spring upon us, Brown reminded Utah residents that this is the perfect time for people to begin planning on changing up their landscaping preferences and taking advantage of the money that is available to help make that transition.
