• WaterSense
• WaterSense Labeled Showerheads

WaterSense Labeled Showerheads

Showering is one of the leading ways we use water in the home, accounting for nearly 17 percent
of residential indoor water use, or about 30 gallons per household per day. That's nearly 1.2 trillion gallons of water used in the United States annually just for showering, or enough to supply the water needs of New York and New Jersey for a year.

WaterSense®, a partnership program sponsored by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is helping consumers identify high-performance, water-efficient showerheads that reduce water and energy in the home and help preserve the nation's water resources. The WaterSense label is an easy way for consumers to identify showerheads that have been independently tested and certified to use 20 percent less water and perform as well or better than standard showerheads.

A Shower of Savings

The average household could save more than 2,300 gallons per year by installing WaterSense labeled showerheads. Since these water savings will reduce demands on water heaters, households will also save energy. In fact, a household could save 300 kilowatt hours of electricity annually, enough to power its television use for about a year. If every household in the United States installed WaterSense labeled showerheads, we could save more than $1.5 billion in water utility bills and more than 250 billion gallons of water annually, which could supply more than 2.5 million U.S. homes with their water needs for a year. In addition, we could avoid about $2.5 billion in energy costs for heating water.

The WaterSense Label

All products bearing the WaterSense label must be tested and certified by an approved third party laboratory to ensure they meet EPA water efficiency and performance criteria.

Did you know that standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons of water per minute (gpm)? Showerheads that earn the WaterSense label must demonstrate that they use no more than 2.0 gpm. The WaterSense label also ensures that these products provide a satisfactory shower that is equal to or better than conventional showerheads on the market.

Performance Is Key

As with all WaterSense specifications, EPA included performance criteria to ensure that consumers will not have to sacrifice a good shower in order to achieve water savings. EPA worked with a variety of stakeholders—including consumers who tested various showerheads—to develop criteria for water coverage and spray intensity. Independent laboratories test showerheads for these attributes before certifying them to earn the WaterSense label.

Look for the Label

Whether you are replacing an older, inefficient showerhead or simply looking for ways to reduce water use and utility bills in your home, look for the WaterSense label on showerheads—along with faucets, faucet accessories, and toilets—to help you identify models that save water and perform well. For more information or a list of WaterSense labeled showerheads, please visit the WaterSense website.

This document is also available in PDF (1 pg, 378K, About PDF).