On average, with a regular showerhead, we use 7-10 gallons/water for each minute we are in the shower. The average shower is 12-15 minutes. If you shower for 15 minutes using 10 gallons/water per minute that is 150 gallons of water - yikes! That is even more than a bath which uses 30-50 gallons of water (a whirlpool tub uses about 80 gallons of water). This is just the water usage - heating the water is a huge cost and energy drain as well.
Taking a bath, however, is not the answer. Instead, there are quick, easy and cost-saving changes you can make today to reduce your water used in the shower.
First, install a water saving shower head that uses 2-4 gallons of water/minute. These are not like they were 10 years ago, but now offer a very nice shower experience. This is a change that is so cheap and easy you should make it today. In Colorado, Excel Energy offers free showerheads to anyone who wants them, so take advantage!
Second, take a shorter shower. Bring your shower time down to 5-7 minutes. This can be done just by being more aware of your shower time - to do this, try the shower coach. Other tricks are not to shave in the shower. When I shave my legs I do it before I shower and use the water that I ran to heat up the shower. Also, save a lot of shower time by not washing your hair every time - this not only saves water but makes your hair healthier by allowing the natural oils to condition your hair. Wash your hair every 2-3 days, not every day.
Take a "captains" shower - only run the water when you need it. Buy a showerhead that has an easy off/on switch and then run the water, for example, to wet your hair, but stop it when you are sudsing. Very easy to do and probably reduces the water use by about 1/2 to 2/3.
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