Changing out your old water fixtures for low-flow ones is easy and fairly inexpensive. But if you have been avoiding this task because you are afraid of losing precious water pressure, don’t worry, low-flow fixtures have come a long way.

How Much Can I Possibly Save?

Taking a quick 5 minute shower can use up to 40 gallons of water, according to FlexYourPower.org . Replacing your showerhead with a low-flow fixture can save up to 80% of that water per shower!

So the answer seems easy: replace your water-wasting fixtures with low-flow fixtures. But most of us are still reluctant to do so because a low-flow shower suggests low pressure, which doesn’t sound too attractive in the morning. However, manufacturers have recognized this and have developed low-flow showerheads that feel just like their less-efficient, conventional counterparts.

Low-Flow Fixtures: Aerated and Laminar

The more commonly recognized low-flow fixture is called an aerated fixture. Air is added to the water flow so that the stream “feels” steady and strong. But because air is mixed with water it can decrease the temperature as it flows out of the fixture. Also, more steam is produced from an aerated fixture due to the mixing of air and hot water. While an aerated fixture may give the perception of high water pressure some people notice more splattering (click here to see what a laminar flow looks like) and think that the shower experience feels, well, airy.In order to address this “airy” issue, laminar flow fixtures were introduced into the low-flow fixture market.

Laminar fixtures do not use air to heighten the perception of high water pressure, but instead minimize turbulence in the water flow and direct water streams to travel in parallel with one another. This makes the pressure feel more powerful without using additional water. This results in less steam because air is not being added to hot water. Also, the water coming out of a laminar faucet is not being shifted by the air mixed with it, causing the flow to splatter and spray rather than flow continuously.

So, while conserving water is certainly important to many of us, so is a good shower. Low-flow fixtures have addressed water conservation and now have been enhanced to ensure that our shower experience doesn’t suffer.

To learn more about costs, technologies and purchasing low flow fixtures, visit FlexYourPower.org.

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