Low-Flow Shower Heads Are a Money Saving "Green" Choice

Forward thinking applies to nearly everything today. We need to be aware of our impact on the environment and also think ahead as to how our actions will impact future generations. The good part is that being environmentally friendly is much easier than you think. Going "green"could be one of the easiest choices that you could ever make.

As part of an ongoing series of "green" home improvement project, this article will give you another great idea about how you can improve your home while also helping the environment in many ways. This particular article will focus on replacing you shower head. This simple task can save you money, can save water, and will give an updated look to your shower.

Many home improvement projects cost a considerable amount of money and do not provide a return on your investment. But "green" home improvement projects are always about giving money back or saving money for the home owner. In this case, replacing a shower head will save you water which in turn will lower your yearly water bill and save you money.

Here's how it works. A typical shower head flows water at a rate of at least 1.6 gallons per minute. If the shower head is newer, it will likely flow exactly 1.6 gallons per minute. If you shower head is more than a decade old, it could flow well over 2 gallons per minute. Let's say a typical show takes 10 minutes. Older shower heads would pour out 20 gallons of water in just ten minutes.

Through advancements and restrictions on water usage, shower head manufacturers have been able to produce shower heads that flow as little as 1 gallon per minute while still providing a powerful flow and more than adequate washing ability. These shower heads use about one half the amount of water as older shower heads do. You can purchase a new low flow shower head for as little as $30, install it in just minutes and save a lot of money by doing so.

If the average household has four people who shower daily, they will use 80 gallons of water with an older showerhead. A new, efficient shower head could cut that amount down to 40 gallons a day. Over the course of an entire year the average home could save about 12,000 gallons of water or the amount of water to fill a large above ground pool.

Not only will you be doing your part to save the environment, but you will also reap the benefits of saving a lot of money on your water bill. The cost of the shower head will be paid back in less than a year making this one investment in a home improvement project that truly pays for itself.

Green thinking in home improvement is the in thing. From sustainable resources such as bamboo, to efficient CFL bulbs, to high efficiency washers, there are countless home improvement projects that will make your house a little "greener" and your impact on the environment a little less. Best of all, nearly all of these projects will save you money in the long run.