"Low flow" shower technology has come a long way since the early days. Water-saving showerheads can deliver a comfortable shower experience, using up to half the water. Many water-efficient showerheads make use of faucet aerators. Aerators improve the performance of kitchen and bathroom sinks too because they impact the sense of pressure and direct the stream of water. 

Understanding how aerators work may help you develop new respect for what was once called "low flow" shower technology.

How does a water-saving showerhead work?

Water efficient showerheads often have built-in aerators. An aerator is a small, disc-like screen that is also found in sink faucets in bathrooms and kitchens. Sink faucet aerators usually require manual installation, but shower head aerators are built in.

"Low flow" shower technology has come a long way since the early days. Water-saving showerheads can deliver a comfortable shower experience, using up to half the water.

The aerators in an energy efficient showerhead have a mechanism that integrates air with the water stream. 

Using an aerator reduces the amount of water that comes out of the showerhead or faucet, helping you use less water when you shower. It also helps shape the stream of water into a straight line and prevents water from splashing when hitting something. Water going through an aerator makes the stream smoother.

what makes a showerhead water efficient

Aeration technology provides several benefits:

  • Light filtration of dirt and debris
  • Softens the feel of the water
  • Wider, uniform stream of water with pleasant pressure
  • Significant reduction in water consumption
  • Splash reduction

How faucet aerators work

Faucet aerators function by incorporating air into the water stream using a small metal disc. These metal discs act as both a filtration system and a mechanism that separates the water stream into several tiny streams.

As a result, the water your faucet releases feels softer and more luxurious while using significantly less water.

Low-flow showerhead myths

Low shower pressure is not very comfortable, and the thought of an energy efficient showerhead may cause some concern. Sacrificing comfort for water efficiency may look great on your energy bill, but what about your comfort? After all - showers are to be enjoyed.

Let’s dispel some myths surrounding low water pressure - especially as it pertains to water efficient shower heads.

  • Water efficient showerheads reduce water pressure. FALSE. A low-flow showerhead equipped with an aerator may use less water, but this doesn’t mean sacrificing pressure. Aerators compress the water stream while mixing air into the flow, and when combined with a narrow opening, it gives the feeling of higher water pressure. Additionally, the aerator creates multiple small streams of water, which further adds to the feeling of higher water pressure.
  • Water efficient showerheads make little difference. FALSE. Water-efficient showerheads can actually conserve up to 50 percent of your water usage, especially if you go with the latest and most energy-efficient models. Look for showerheads with a WaterSense label from the US EPA.

How water efficient showerheads save energy too

When you consider making your home more energy efficient, you might not tackle your bathroom first, but that’s where small changes can make a big difference.

Hot water can account for up to 20% of your monthly energy use. Bathroom water use accounts for roughly 30 to 50 percent of your total household water consumption, and a significant portion of that is hot water used to bathe and shower. Using a water saving showerhead can cut your hot water use in half, and reduce your household energy use.

Homeowners could see a yearly decrease of approximately 11,000 litres of water usage - just by switching to a water-efficient showerhead.

Consider also that showerheads have improved significantly in energy efficiency within the last 30 years. For comparison, models manufactured in the early 1990s had staggering flow rates of around 20 litres per minute. Now, high-efficiency models boast flow rates of less than 7.6 liters per minute. What a difference!

Look for showerheads that use 7.6 liters per minute or less and are WaterSense labelled from the US EPA.

Maintenance

To reduce the debris going to the faucet it is recommended to do an annual flush of the water heater tank. Learn how here.

Final thoughts

With energy efficient upgrades, there are plenty of large tasks throughout the home to contend with - but upgrading the water efficiency of your bathroom is easy.

Most modern showerheads and faucet aerators do not require extensive plumbing installation, are low cost, and take less than an hour to install.

For larger efficiency upgrade projects, check out the  Total Home Energy Savings Program! It can help you understand which upgrades are best for your home. It's easy to register and you may earn rebates for the work you do.

FAQ

Do faucet aerators save water?

Yes, aerators in both sink faucets and showerheads can save up to 50 percent of household water usage.

Are faucet aerators necessary?

Yes. If you’re looking for a pleasant shower experience and improved bathroom water efficiency, faucet aerators are a key first step.

What makes a showerhead water efficient?

A showerhead equipped with an aerator and low-flow technology conserves water by mixing the water stream with air that may improve the feeling of your water pressure.

Is an energy efficient showerhead going to lower my water pressure?

No, a water-efficient showerhead will not lower your water pressure. It uses less water, but the aerator technology combined with a showerhead’s narrow opening makes it seem like the water pressure is the same or even greater in some cases.

The goal is to reduce the amount of water that comes out of the faucet. That reduces water consumption which in turn saves money on your water and energy bills.

Aerators benefit from a cleaning from time to time. Simply unscrew it and clean it by soaking it in vinegar for about 5 minutes and clean it with a brush.