It’s estimated that about two-thirds of Americans shower every day. Whether it’s part of your morning routine or an essential for after you finish your daily workout, few things can feel more relaxing and rejuvenating than a warm shower.
While taking a shower may not seem to be all that controversial in and of itself, like many other industries, shower heads are actually subject to federal regulations, particularly in regards to water flow.
In 1992, the U.S. government enacted regulations that required shower heads to maintain a water flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less at 60 psi. Designed to help conserve water (especially in the wake of severe droughts that occurred in the late 1980s), the proposal has spurred many bathroom product manufacturers to produce even more water efficient shower heads.
However, a recent proposal from the U.S. Department of Energy seeks to change that — and it could bring about changes to the way you take your shower.
What is the Proposed Change?
Under current regulations, the water flow limit of 2.5 gallons per minute applies to the entire shower head. If the change proposed by the U.S. Department of Energy were to go through, it would change this to a per-nozzle restriction.
This means that a shower head with four separate nozzles could conceivably achieve a total flow as high as 10 gallons per minute. As long as each individual nozzle had a flow of 2.5 gallons per minute or less, the shower head would be compliant with the updated regulations.
The proposed change follows comments made at a meeting by President Donald Trump, who is quoted as saying, “So showerheads – you take a shower, the water doesn’t come out. You want to wash your hands, the water doesn’t come out. So what do you do? You just stand there longer or you take a shower longer? Because my hair — I don’t know about you, but it has to be perfect. Perfect.”
This wasn’t the first time the president had brought up issues with low flow water fixtures. In a December 2019 meeting, he said, “We have a situation where we’re looking very strongly at sinks and showers and other elements of bathrooms where you turn the faucet on — in areas where there’s tremendous amounts of water, where the water rushes out to sea because you could never handle it — and you don’t get any water.”
In effect, the new proposal would serve to roll back the previous regulations, allowing manufacturers to make high-flow shower heads — a move that has already come under intense scrutiny.
Debate Surrounding the Shower Head Proposal
While the Department of Energy is still pursuing this proposal, it is expected that there will be court challenges that delay this regulatory change, or could keep it from happening entirely.
Andrew deLaski, Executive Director of the Appliance Standards Awareness Project (ASAP), wrote, “The existing shower head standard has spurred manufacturers to make devices that are more satisfying while using less water. That reduces our water bills, and it also reduces our energy use. Utilities require enormous amounts of energy to deliver water. Even more importantly, because shower heads deliver hot water, reducing the water flow through them cuts home water heating needs — which account for about a fifth of the average household’s energy use.”
The significant conservation efforts that have resulted from current regulations cannot be denied. It is estimated that the average bath uses 35 to 50 gallons of water. On the other hand, a 10-minute shower would use 25 gallons of water — and many low flow shower heads enable homeowners to use even less.
Even a slight increase in a shower head’s water flow — say, to 4 gallons per minute — would greatly reduce the water saving advantage of showering. While a difference of 10 to 25 gallons may not seem like a big deal on a day to day basis, that can add up quickly over the course of a month or year. Bathing doesn’t just use water — it also requires gas or electricity to heat the water.
Using less water for showering could help households save hundreds of dollars on utility expenses each year. A less efficient shower head might be more comfortable for some, but it could also be more costly in the long run. In addition to the potential impact on homeowners, many are concerned about how such changes could harm conservation efforts, particularly in drought-stricken areas like California.
Of course, complaints about the efficacy of low-flow shower heads aren’t entirely unfounded, either. Some assert that these shower heads don’t provide enough water pressure to take a quick, cleansing shower. This is especially true in states like California, which have stricter water flow requirements than the national standard. Stories of people skirting such regulations have gone on for years.
Such complaints exist for a reason — for many people, a shower is how they de-stress at the end of a long workday. A shower with weak flow hardly delivers the experience they need.
Shower Heads That Deliver Great Pressure at a Low Flow
Despite complaints and debate over low flow shower heads, the fact remains that in the United States, flow restrictions remain in place for the time being. The good news is that even though there are low flow showers that don’t deliver adequate water pressure, there are many that do. Innovations in shower design — especially improvement in aeration — have drastically improved the functionality of these shower heads.
One of the best brands at achieving this balance is Isenberg. Isenberg shower heads like the Isenberg HS1001WCP Universal Fixtures 8 Inch Solid Brass Showerhead / Rainhead With 12 Inch Wall Mount Shower Arm, Chrome and the Isenberg RHW.6SCP Universal Fixtures 6 Inch Rain Head with 7 Inch Arm, Chrome deliver an eco-friendly flow of 1.8 gallons per minute. Solid brass construction ensures that the shower heads are built to last, while rubber nozzles make cleaning easy.
These ceiling mounted shower heads use rain-style flows to help users achieve the exact pressure they desire. Isenberg “rain head” designs range in size from 6 to 20 inches, and several modern finishes are available to help you complete the look of your bathroom. Some Isenberg shower heads, such as the Isenberg MSS.20SCP Cascade 20 Inch Stainless Steel Flush Mount Rainhead With Cascade Waterfall and Mist Flow, Chrome also feature waterfall cascade and mist flows for a one-of-a-kind luxury experience. Mounting shower arms are also available for compatible rain heads.
Grohe also offers ultra-modern rain flow shower heads, though they manufacture shower heads with a more traditional look as well. Popular rain head models include the Grohe 26570000 Rainshower Mono 310 Cube Shower Head 1 Spray, Starlight Chrome and the Grohe 26457000 Euphoria 260 Shower Head 3 Sprays, 2.5 GPM, Starlight Chrome, which use the Grohe DreamSpray pattern to provide a wide, comfortable spray. The built-in anti-lime system also prevents mineral buildup, minimizing future maintenance needs for your shower head.
A great example of an affordable, yet comfortable shower head is the Grohe 26045001 New Tempesta Rustic 100 Shower Head 4 Sprays – 1.75 GPM, Starlight Chrome. This shower head allows users to easily choose from one of four spray patterns simply by rotating the spray face. This includes the lighter “rain setting,” Rain O2, which offers an air-infused spray, as well as pulsating massage and jet settings. These varied settings help users choose the option that is most comfortable for them, all while maintaining a 1.75 gallon per minute flow.
In addition to offering luxurious style and a variety of spray settings that help you make the most of low flow rates, Isenberg and Grohe shower heads are backed by a limited lifetime warranty. Warranty coverage for mechanical parts and finishes provide confidence that your upgraded shower head will look and perform great for many years to come.
Planning For Your Next Shower Head Upgrade
At this writing, it is uncertain whether the proposal from the Department of Energy will come to fruition. Even if the proposal is finalized, many manufacturers may be reluctant to produce higher-flow shower heads due to concerns about future regulatory changes or the environmental impact of such installations.
Regardless of what the future holds for the industry as a whole, you can count on great deals and great products when you buy your shower heads from Kitchen & Bath Authority. Our wide selection of shower heads will help you get the desired look and functionality for your bathroom. Choose from a range of finishes, widths, settings, and spray patterns to get the right fit for your shower space.
In addition to our discounted prices, we offer free shipping and financing to help make your next home remodeling project even more affordable. Discount codes and other special offers are also available for many products. If you sign up for our membership program, you’ll enjoy even more discounts.
The future can be uncertain, but your need for an enjoyable, refreshing shower won’t go away. Place your order for one of our high-quality shower heads today so you can get even more out of your bathroom experience!
