Best low-flow shower head?
I’d like to know what low flow shower heads folks are happy with. Let’s define low flow as 1.5 gallons per minute, bonus if it’s 1.25 and honestly does a decent job.
I previously obtained a Niagara Conservation 1.25gpm unit free from my utility company. I used it for a while but found the performance so unsatisfactory I was taking much longer showers than neccessary, particularly in the winter. Everyone in the house agreed when I yanked it in favour of the old supersoaker type.
Looking at the options available in the product guide, the Bricor venturi-assist aerator models look particularly promising. One even has a video of just a shower head running. It looks decent.
I have a weakness for long showers and tend to be a wuss when it comes to showering comfort. I put up with a lot of austerity on other fronts to save energy, but I just want the shower to feel good. I can’t be alone in this.
I already have 3 litre (0.8 gal) toilets, front loader washer and rain barrels only for the garden and still get $70 – $90 water bills so something must be done. I want to go for the best here and not go back. So what is it?
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Replies
Jonathan,
Everyone's different. Only you can decide whether a showerhead is satisfying.
Alex Wilson reports that his family is happy with the Kohler Bancroft showerhead. To read his report, see Saving Water — Saving Energy.
I do not wish to sound like a pushed advertisement,
i can only recommend Kohler products from a north-american standpoint for a few reasons ..
some/most of their products are made in usa or partly ...everything seems to be designed here
their warranty is very very good ( lifetime on finish and valves )
i've had replacement parts shipped in a few days only fater 2 emails
i'd say so far they have the best customer service of any large brand i've dealt with i my life
( i've bought many many Kohler products on different projects )
I had an engineer contact me directly within 2 days with an answer including a drawing
to a special placement of 2 products combined ..something u don't get often !
And lastly, most of their products are very efficient in design and beautifully finished/designed.
I am sure that there are other manfacturers of good products out there,
but none seems to be able to matche the quality/performance price ratio of Kohler for now.
"hint" look at online plumbing supply stores for deep discounts and specials.
Sorry that you don't like the Niagara showerhead. I have 3 in my house and have installed them in showers that I have renovated for friends. Everyone seems to like them.
But, as Martin says, a shower head choice is personal.
Thank you for the answers. I realize this is a subjective area.
I found the Niagara showerhead felt like 50 toy water pistols shooting hot water at my head. It took forever to get the shampoo out and even then I felt like the job wasn't done. I was shivering from the cold at the end of the shower. This surprised me because my Niagara toilets are amazing - must be since they're designed in Canada.
Saver heads long showers no joy.
I prefer max water for less time...
Saver heads are for tree huggers. I hug em just before I cut em down to mill them into parts for tree hugger's homes.
I'm a tree hugger but I'm also a long haired hippie which helps explain the extra demand on the shower head. Maybe I should just cut my hair.
The real reason I'm looking to change is economics. My city started using tiered consumption rates for water and wastewater. The metered rate doubles when you go over 10 cubic metres of water per month. I don't know how we use more than that, but I've addressed the washer, faucet aerators, toilets and garden use, and that leaves the shower as the only way left to get the water bill down.
My choice is bricor (http://www.bricor.com/products/). I have been using the B125 SuperMax (1.25 GPM) for about 6 months now and have been very pleased with the performance. While I don't make a big fuss about show head performance I was able to cut the GPM in half over the previous shower head and my wife actually likes it better. The cost is a little on the high end but is a solid product, no plastic here. I have no idea how long it will last but it 'feels' like it will last longer than me. lastly I'll note I also us their low flow faucets aerators which have worked fine.
best of luck
""" Saver heads long showers no joy.
I prefer max water for less time...
Saver heads are for tree huggers. I hug em just before I cut em down to mill them into parts for tree hugger's homes.
Answered by aj builder, Upstate NY Zone 6a """
mouahhahaahah !!