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October 2012
Water Use After Replacement
To estimate the water use of a replacement WaterSense labeled showerhead, use
Equation 3-7, substituting the flow rate of the replacement showerhead. WaterSense
labeled showerheads use no more than 2.0 gpm.
Water Savings
To calculate water savings that can be achieved from replacing an existing shower-
head, identify the following information and use Equation 3-8:
••
Current water use as calculated using Equation 3-7.
••
Water use after replacement as calculated using Equation 3-7.
Equation 3-8. Water Savings From Showerhead Replacement (gallons per year)
= Current Water Use of Showerhead –Water Use of Showerhead After
Replacement
Where:
••
Current Water Use of Showerhead (gallons per year)
••
Water Use of Showerhead After Replacement (gallons per year)
Payback
To calculate the simple payback from the water savings associated with replacing an
existing showerhead, consider the equipment and installation cost of the replace-
ment showerhead, the water savings as calculated in Equation 3-8, and the facility-
specific cost of water and wastewater. The average showerhead costs approximately
$30 retail.
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Because showerheads use hot water, a reduction in water use will also result in
energy savings, further reducing the payback period and increasing replacement
cost-effectiveness.
Additional Resources
Alliance for Water Efficiency. Residential Shower and Bath Introduction.
.
EPA’s WaterSense program. WaterSense Labeled Showerheads.
.
Vickers, Amy. 2001.
Handbook of Water Use and Conservation
.
WaterPlow Press.
3.5
Showerheads
27
EPA’s WaterSense program. March 4, 2010.
WaterSense Specification for Showerheads Supporting Statement
.
Page 6.
.
