Recommend a low water using shower head

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gzt

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#285989 29-May-2021 11:03

Looking for recommendations on a low water use shower head. I've measured my current shower head at 9-10 liters per minute. That was in the $50-80 price range.

This is a lower flow than the head it replaced. I think we can go lower and still get a good shower. Writing this just now I recall it came with some additional flow restrictors I did not use. I'll have a search although I'm not keen on that I've never tried it.

Our plumber says we are on mains pressure so buy any mains pressure head. I'd prefer a lightweight head to avoid shower damage from dropping. I'm happy to spend into the $200 bracket if it gets something awesome.

Bung

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#2715067 29-May-2021 11:20

9lpm isn't classed as excessive. If you do want to go lower the flow restrictors should be tried. I think you only need a new head to get better results from low pressure systems.

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Scott3

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#2715080 29-May-2021 12:07

9-10 LPM is in the ballpark of the EECA recommendation of "Less than 9 LPM". Personally I would think that is reasonable, but apparently 6LPM should still provide a decent shower with the right shower head.

If you tap allows it, you could allways use that to throttle the flow back to 6 LPM, and try it out with your existing shower head.

If the baove works you still have the flow restrictor(s), you can give then a try, to avoid the need to throttle with the tap.

If not, they are fairly cheap:

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/search?text=Water%20Flow%20Control%20Disc&q=Water%20Flow%20Control%20Disc

CrashAndBurn

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#2715173 29-May-2021 12:15

I have this https://www.methven.com/nz/showering/shower-handsets/aio-aurajet-shower-handset which is a 9lpm head but then I added a 7lpm restrictor and am still happy with my shower. On average water usage went down by $5-10 per month so it has pretty much paid for itself since I bought it.

gzt

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#2715493 30-May-2021 13:57

Scott3: 9-10 LPM is in the ballpark of the EECA recommendation of "Less than 9 LPM".

9 liters per minute is the current WELS three star rating as I understand it.

If you tap allows it, you could allways use that to throttle the flow back to 6 LPM, and try it out with your existing shower head.

Reducing flow using the tap does not really work, reducing pressure at the tap end gives a bad shower.

gzt

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#2715499 30-May-2021 14:05

Bung: If you do want to go lower the flow restrictors should be tried.

I purchased flow restrictors similar to scotts link yesterday at Bunnings - $7 packet has two 8 lpm and two 6 lpm.

First shower with the 6 lpm disc fitted to the head this morning. It was surprisingly very good with my existing cheap shower head. I'll leave this on for a week and see how I feel. I wish there was a 7.5 lpm disc. Might be the sweet spot with my existing shower head. Discs in .5 increments would have been good to find out or stage : )

Probably will get a new head but this is surprisingly good.

Kickinbac

417 posts

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#2716944 1-Jun-2021 22:02

Methven Satinjet are the way to go. Methven did a $1 trial a couple of years ago and we didn’t return the showerhead it was that good. They are not doing the trial currently due to Covid. We’ve got the Waipori which is about 7.5 l/min. There is also a super low flow model; the Kiri which is 5.5 l/min.

timmmay

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#2716983 2-Jun-2021 07:35

I used the Methven jet type heads at a hotel not long ago and really liked it. My wife didn't like it for washing her hair though - moderate female type amounts she said it took longer to get it all wet and rinsed.

gzt

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#2735362 27-Jun-2021 14:19

gzt:
Bung: If you do want to go lower the flow restrictors should be tried.
I purchased flow restrictors similar to scotts link yesterday at Bunnings - $7 packet has two 8 lpm and two 6 lpm. First shower with the 6 lpm disc fitted to the head this morning. It was surprisingly very good with my existing cheap shower head. I'll leave this on for a week and see how I feel. I wish there was a 7.5 lpm disc. Might be the sweet spot with my existing shower head. Discs in .5 increments would have been good to find out or stage : ). Probably will get a new head but this is surprisingly good.

After a month with the 6lpm restrictor I'm not feeling any urgency to get a new head. If anyone is interested this is the existing head:

https://www.mitre10.co.nz/shop/stream-shower-head-chrome/p/173627

Five settings only two are worthwhile with the flow restrictor in place. Saving 25-30% on our hotwater cost. I think our sbowerdome is one of the reasons this works so well for us.