Baths vs. Showers: Which Is Really Better for Water Conservation?




If you’re a thoughtful homeowner who wants to reduce utility bills and be mindful about water conservation, you may be wondering whether people save more water by taking baths or showers.

Standing in the Shower or Soaking in a Tub?

When it comes to comparing how much water you use when taking a bath or when showering, you have to take into account how long you let the water run for showers.

A typical filled bathtub uses about 36 gallons on average according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Older showers may use as many as five gallons of water every minute. This means that if you showered for longer than seven minutes (not uncommon!), you will be using more water every time you shower instead of drawing a relaxing bath for yourself.


Ways Improve Water Conservation

The USGS notes that newer, more efficient low-flow showerheads only use about two gallons per minute, meaning that you could take an 18-minute shower and use about the same amount of water as you would if you had opted for a soak in the tub instead.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, investing in water-saving fixtures and appliances can save families more than $380 from the $1,000 spent on water on average each year in the U.S.

Get Advice from Mr. Plumber

Since we use so much water every day just to stay clean, it makes sense for property owners in the Atlanta area to take advantage of the latest in water-conserving fixtures. Not only will you feel pride in doing your part to use fewer natural resources, you should be able to anticipate seeing lower water utility bills going forward.

At Mr. Plumber, we can help you save water by installing new low-flow showerheads, water-saving toilets, and by fixing wasteful leaks. We also advise you to replace older appliances with newer versions that meet the U.S. government’s Energy Star ratings. This includes dishwashers and washing machines that will help your family get more use out of much less water.

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