More efficient shower? 11 June 2022 at 11:12AM in Green & ethical MoneySaving 10 replies 176 views

waqasahmed

When I was growing up, we didn't have a shower but we did have a bath and a hot water tank

What we'd use for a shower was to fill the bucket with warm water, and use a jug. The jug would then be your "shower"

We wouldn't reuse any water, but it did mean you had maybe 11 litres of water to shower with, and it did a really good job, except for the fact that it takes time. The average actual modern shower in contrast which we use now, typically uses around 60 litres each time. 

It especially takes time today if your central heating doesn't work, and you have to boil say two kettles, with the rest being cold water, and having a shower that way

I've seen this

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/nebia/nebia-shower-better-experience-70-less-water

But nothing much more than that. Does anyone know of any decent ones that can hopefully reduce water and energy usage whilst keeping it somewhat mechanised? 

Martyn1981

Not what you asked, but I'm a fan of aerated shower heads that mix in air. You still get a powerful blast, but a lot less water is needed.

You can get cheap aerated shower heads, all the way up to very clever and expensive ones.

waqasahmed

Martyn1981 said:

Not what you asked, but I'm a fan of aerated shower heads that mix in air. You still get a powerful blast, but a lot less water is needed.

You can get cheap aerated shower heads, all the way up to very clever and expensive ones.

I did look up "aerated shower heads" and there aren't many of them? 

Martyn1981

waqasahmed said:

Martyn1981 said:

Not what you asked, but I'm a fan of aerated shower heads that mix in air. You still get a powerful blast, but a lot less water is needed.

You can get cheap aerated shower heads, all the way up to very clever and expensive ones.

I did look up "aerated shower heads" and there aren't many of them? 

No probs. I've found some on Screwfix, B&Q and Amazon, but why not start here with £10 down to £1.66? [Edit - Oops, plus VAT, so £1.99. M.]

But again, this may not be what you are looking for, just a possible idea.

waqasahmed

Martyn1981 said:

waqasahmed said:

Martyn1981 said:

Not what you asked, but I'm a fan of aerated shower heads that mix in air. You still get a powerful blast, but a lot less water is needed.

You can get cheap aerated shower heads, all the way up to very clever and expensive ones.

I did look up "aerated shower heads" and there aren't many of them? 

No probs. I've found some on Screwfix, B&Q and Amazon, but why not start here with £10 down to £1.66? [Edit - Oops, plus VAT, so £1.99. M.]

But again, this may not be what you are looking for, just a possible idea.

I mean £2 is a heck of a lot cheaper than.. £600

QrizB

Other ideas:

• There's a thing called a "Navy shower head", which has a button or lever you have to press in order for water to flow. Modelled after the shower fittings on warships.
  https://www.bricor.com/2015/09/19/what-is-a-navy-shower-3/
• I've got a camping shower. The idea is that youfill it with cold water and let the sun heat it up. If you've ever been camping in the UK you'll know that's unlikely to work so you fill it with warm water, a bit like your bucket, then hang it up somewhere and let it drizzle.
  https://www.gooutdoors.co.uk/15899166/hi-gear-solar-shower-20-litres-15899166
  

paul991

be careful putting a aerated shower head on a electric shower especially a thermostatic one as these can damage the shower , i repaired showers for housing associations and the local council, the major faults were wrong shower head or lime scale  on the  head.
most  navy  warships had so much hot water i never  saw a button on the shower head.

Martyn1981

waqasahmed said:

Martyn1981 said:

waqasahmed said:

Martyn1981 said:

Not what you asked, but I'm a fan of aerated shower heads that mix in air. You still get a powerful blast, but a lot less water is needed.

You can get cheap aerated shower heads, all the way up to very clever and expensive ones.

I did look up "aerated shower heads" and there aren't many of them? 

No probs. I've found some on Screwfix, B&Q and Amazon, but why not start here with £10 down to £1.66? [Edit - Oops, plus VAT, so £1.99. M.]

But again, this may not be what you are looking for, just a possible idea.

I mean £2 is a heck of a lot cheaper than.. £600

P&P is £599.   

waqasahmed

paul991 said:

be careful putting a aerated shower head on a electric shower especially a thermostatic one as these can damage the shower , i repaired showers for housing associations and the local council, the major faults were wrong shower head or lime scale  on the  head.
most  navy  warships had so much hot water i never  saw a button on the shower head.

Fortunately limescale isn't a big issue here. We have decent water 

paul991

our water authority was  giving  cheap aerators away free  of charge tried it once and tock it off

matelodave

We've got an EcoCamel shower head (shifted it from the caravan) which reduces our flow rate down to 6 litres a minute.

It gives plenty of water and a better spray pattern than the original Aqualisa head. My wife much prefers it to the original. It also self drains so it doesn't drip either.

I've also fitted flow restrictors to the bathroom, and kitchen taps - they take a bit longer to fill a sink but save a lo of water when the taps are just used for rinsing your hands and stuff.