You needn't run out of hot water when showering. Nor do you need to use excessive energy to heat the shower water. In fact, taking a shower can be a water-conserving experience without giving up comfort, if know a trick or two.
Many of you know that if you replace your showerhead with one of those newfangled low-flow types, you can reduce water waste. At the same time you can enjoy the benefit of reduced water-heating costs. Unfortunately, some reduced-flow showerheads are so poorly designed that they don't produce a sufficient spray. The result - a spray so fine that it won't wash the soap off your skin, and by the time the water reaches your knees it's cold. Although you wouldn't think that a company would sell a showerhead that didn't work well, poorly engineered showerheads are readily available. Therefore you should be sure to replace your current showerhead with a top-quality unit. Better quality reduced-flow showerheads modify the volume of water used without vaporizing the water before it reaches you. One of the finest showerheads sells for about $45.
Another way to save water and reduce energy is to install and use a showerhead shutoff valve. This valve is installed between the shower arm and the showerhead. In the off position a small trickle of water is allowed to continually flow, keeping the water warm until the valve is returned to the on position. In combination, the low-flow showerhead and the showerhead shutoff valve can reduce waste substantially. Older model showerheads use water at a rate of five to eight gallons per minute. A 10-minute shower would use between 50 and 80 gallons of water, an average of 65 gallons of water per shower. Two persons showering every day would use almost 50,000 gallons of shower annually. Assuming that half the water used is hot, that's about 800 water-heater refills. An improved showerhead would reduce water use to under 20,000 gallons per year and about 300 water-heater refills. A shutoff valve could reduce use by an additional third. You make the two-shower comparison. Would you prefer to pay for 50,000 gallons of water and 800 water-heater refills or 14,000 gallons of water and 200 refills?
Look into the benefits of a high-quality low-flow showerhead. If you try one and don't agree with us, you'll be out about $45. On the other hand, if you discover our low-cost alternative to be a pleasant experience, you might end up saving thousands of dollars.
Changing a showerhead is easy. Use a pair of pliers to unscrew the showerhead and reverse the procedure to replace it. Wrap half-inch Teflon tape around the shower arm threads for a good water seal. If you also decide to add a showerhead shutoff valve, screw it onto the shower arm first and then follow with the new showerhead. Don't forget the Teflon tape. Caution: use a towel between the showerhead and the jaws of the pliers to prevent denting or scratching polished surfaces. Occasionally, a second pair of pliers is needed to steady the shower arm while the showerhead is being removed.
Mineral buildup on the showerhead-to-shower arm connection can make the showerhead difficult to remove. Here's a trick that turns it into light work. Pour about two cups of vinegar into a plastic food storage bag. Place the mouth of the bag around the shower arm immersing the showerhead (and as much of the shower arm as possible) into the liquid. Tie the mouth of the bag to the shower arm with string or hold it in place with a large rubber band. Let stand for 24 hours. Remove the bag and begin the replacement.
If your shower arm is loose (flopping around in the wall), you can make a repair that will hold it tightly in place. First, replace your showerhead. Slide the escutcheon (the trim ring that surrounds the shower arm that covers the hole in the shower wall) down the shower arm and away from the wall. Hold the shower arm in place with small wooden wedges (a couple of halved clothes pins will do). Next, use an expanding foam sealant with a long skinny nozzle to fill the void in the wall that surrounds the loose pipe. After about an hour or so (read the drying instructions on the can) remove the clothespins, replace the escutcheon, and enjoy your shower!
