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Are you looking for a way to reduce your environmental footprint while still enjoying a luxurious shower experience? Look no further than eco-friendly showers that help save water!  Making the switch to an eco-friendly shower today is effortless, but most importantly helps play a small part in preserving this precious commodity while creating a better planet for future generations.
As we approach Water Saving Week, here at The Bathroom Showroom, we understand the importance of doing all we can to help protect the environment. So, we consider just why eco-friendly showers are so beneficial in the fight against water shortage while highlighting three of our most fantastic models to help homeowners do their bit.

What Are Eco-Friendly Showers?

Eco-friendly showers are systems or components (like showerheads) designed to conserve water and energy without compromising the showering experience. They aim to reduce your carbon footprint and utility bills.

How Do Eco-Friendly Showers Work?

Eco-friendly showers achieve water savings through various innovative technologies and design features. Some common features found in eco-friendly showers include:
  • Low-flow showerheads: These are the most common type. They restrict the amount of water used per minute (often to 2.0 GPM or less, compared to older models that might use 5-7 GPM) while maintaining good water pressure. This is achieved through:
Aeration: Mixing air with water to create fuller, more voluminous droplets, giving the sensation of more water while using less.
Flow restrictors: Small devices inside the showerhead that limit the water volume.
Laminar flow: Creating individual streams of water rather than a wide spray for a more focused flow.
  • Recirculation systems: Some advanced systems reuse water from previous showers after filtering it, significantly reducing water wastage.
  • On-demand water heaters (tankless heaters): These only heat water when it's needed, eliminating the energy waste of constantly heating a full tank.
  • Water-saving modes and adjustable settings: Many eco-friendly showers offer settings to customise water flow and reduce consumption further.
  • Heat recovery systems: These capture heat from used shower water to preheat cold water entering the system, reducing the energy needed to heat new water.

What Are the Benefits of Eco-Friendly Showers?

The benefits of eco-friendly shower are numerous and impactful:
  • Water Conservation: They significantly reduce water usage, helping to conserve local water supplies and combat water scarcity.
  • Energy Efficiency: By using less hot water, they reduce the energy required to heat the water, leading to lower energy consumption.
  • Lower Utility Bills: The combination of reduced water and energy usage directly translates to savings on your monthly water and electricity/gas bills.
  • Reduced Environmental Impact: Less water and energy consumption means a smaller carbon footprint and less strain on natural resources.
  • Comfort and Performance: Modern eco-friendly showerheads are designed to provide a satisfying shower experience with good pressure, so you don't have to sacrifice comfort for sustainability.
  • Increased Lifespan of Water Heater: Less demand on your water heater can potentially extend its lifespan.

Best Eco-Friendly Showers From The Bathroom Showroom

The Bathroom Showroom is proud to offer a wonderful selection of showers offering various eco-friendly properties.  Here we break down the eco-friendly aspects of the Ceratherm Alu+, Hansgrohe Vernis Shape, and Grohe Tempesta models:
Ceratherm Alu+ stands out for its 84% use of recycled material construction, making it an environmentally conscious choice in terms of embodied energy and resource use. Chrome, Lead, and Nickel Free, the materials in this shower are better for water purity and beneficial for individuals with sensitivities.
Along with multi-spray functions for potential water saving, this shower uses flow regulator technology. Therefore, the Ceratherm Alu+ is designed to save water without compromising comfort. This means it restricts the water flow to a more efficient rate.
Hansgrohe Vernis Shape is highly water-efficient and specifically designed to reduce water consumption without compromising shower comfort.  
With EcoSmart technology integrated into the Vernis Shape range, this limits the flow rate without sacrificing spray performance by aerating the water. This can significantly reduce water and energy consumption as less hot water is used.  
Hansgrohe's AirPower technology mixes air into the water, making the droplets fuller and lighter thus creating a more voluminous shower experience while using less water. And, the QuickClean feature easily removes limescale buildup by wiping silicone nozzles to help maintain optimal performance and potentially water flow efficiency over time. 
Grohe Tempesta shower heads and systems incorporate Grohe EcoJoy technology. This feature limits the water flow rate without compromising the shower's performance so you still get a good spray, but with significantly less water consumption.
With Grohe DreamSpray, this technology focuses on an even distribution of water across all nozzles for an optimal spray pattern, which can contribute to a satisfying shower even with potentially lower flow. Efficient spray patterns mean you feel like you're getting good coverage without needing excessive water.
What's more, with Grohe’s SpeedClean element, this anti-limescale system helps maintain optimal spray performance and water efficiency.  

FAQs About Eco-Friendly Showers

Are Eco-Friendly Showers Expensive?
The cost can vary greatly. A basic low-flow showerhead can be a very affordable upgrade. More advanced systems, like recirculation or heat recovery units, will have a higher upfront cost but offer greater long-term savings on water and energy bills.
Do Eco-Friendly Showers Compromise Water Pressure?
Not necessarily. While older low-flow models might have had this issue, modern eco-friendly showerheads are designed with technologies like aeration or optimised spray patterns to deliver a strong, satisfying spray despite using less water.
What Types of Eco-Friendly Showers Are Available?
Beyond just the showerhead, "eco-friendly showers" can refer to a range of solutions:
  • Low-flow showerheads: These are the easiest and most common upgrade.
  • Electric showers with eco-settings: Some electric showers have modes that specifically conserve water and energy.
  • Thermostatic mixer showers with flow regulators: These maintain a consistent temperature while incorporating technology to limit water flow.
  • Digital showers with smart features: Some digital showers offer precise control over water flow and temperature, and can even track usage to help you conserve.
  • Heat recovery shower systems: These are more involved installations that recover heat from wastewater.
  • Water recycling showers: High-tech systems that filter and reuse shower water.
  • Solar showers: Primarily for outdoor use, these utilise solar energy to heat water.
How Can I Make My Existing Shower More Eco-Friendly?
Even without installing a completely new system, you can make your showers more eco-friendly:
  • Install a low-flow showerhead: This is the quickest and most effective step.
  • Take shorter showers: Even shaving a few minutes off your shower time can save a significant amount of water.
  • Turn off the water while lathering: This "Navy shower" method is excellent for conservation.
  • Consider cold showers: Reduces energy for heating water and can have health benefits.
  • Fix leaks promptly: A dripping showerhead can waste a surprising amount of water.
  • Use eco-friendly shower products: Look for shampoos, conditioners, and body washes in biodegradable packaging or solid bar forms, and avoid products with harmful chemicals or microbeads.
  • Improve bathroom ventilation: Reduces mould growth and the need for harsh cleaning chemicals.

Efficient Eco-Friendly Showers Increase Water Heater Lifespan

Ultimately, by selecting an eco-friendly shower, you’ll use less hot water, therefore reducing the workload on your water heater. This can potentially extend its lifespan while delaying the need for costly replacements.
Overall, choosing an eco-friendly shower is a simple yet impactful way to live more sustainably, save money in the long run, and contribute to the well-being of the environment. Yet, it’s possible to do all this without sacrificing comfort and luxury for a guilt-free shower experience every time. 
If you’re looking for further help with choosing the best shower for your space, book an appointment with The Bathroom Showroom. Experts in all things bathrooms, we can help turn your dream bathroom into a reality.