Everyone experiences good and bad showers days, whether at home or away. Imagine pulsating water under a new shower while on your excellent vacation. You want to have the same shower time experience, but have you checked the head? Since your bathroom moments were unforgettable, you should want to know whether 1.8 GPM is good for a shower head or not.
Different GPMs (gallons per minute), also called flow rates, will affect the measure of gallons of water that flow out from your shower head. This happens every time you turn the water on. From 1992, most federal regulations have limited shower head maximum flow rate to 2.5 GPM.
However, in 2018 the legislation was changed further by the state of California to 1.8 GPM. As a result, the water flow regulation saved more gallons of water each year.
How many GPM is a good shower head?
The 1.8 GPM and 2.0GPM- both are good depending on the shower head design. The flow rate change is noticeable but hasn’t changed the excellent showering experience compared to the 5 GPM shower head. Companies are manufacturing environmentally friendly designs that don’t compromise the shower heads’ performance.
Is it 2.5 GPM, 2.0GPM or 1.8GPM? Which is the best? Hence, the 2.5 GPM shower heads will still give you a steady stream when showering, but these numbers make a difference.
When you use 1.8 GPM, you will get 1.8 gallons of water per minute; and with 2.0GPM, you will get 2.0 gallons. This number is 2.5 gallons for 2.5 GPM. The new technology, like the highest GPM shower heads will help save water while enhancing your shower experience.
Although the difference might seem minute, comparing a 15-minute shower using 2.5 GPM consumes 10.5 gallons of water, more water than a 1.8 GPM shower head within the same time. If three household members take a shower, it adds up to 220.5 gallons of water per week and 882 gallons per month.
Is 1.8 GPM or 2.5 GPM better?
It will depend on what you are looking for in a shower head. 2.5 GPM has a higher water boost in pressure, but it’s wasteful. On the other hand, with 1.8 GPM, you will experience a slight change in water pressure. However, saving a lot of water, reducing the bill, and creating a smaller footprint on the earth sounds like a better option.
A 1.8 GPM shower head uses 1.8 gallons of water each minute, which is 18 gallons per 10-minute shower. The water consumption is better than the standard 2.5 GPM, which uses 25 gallons for a 10-minute shower.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that showering is among the top ways households use water. Using low flow rates help in conserving resources and saves money. And since California reduced the legal head shower limit from 2.0 to 1.8 GPM in July 2018, other states should regulate stricter shower head regulations.
California has the strictest water flow standard in the US. In 2019 multifamily households and landlords had to change old water fixtures, and they could no longer get protected by godfather provisions. The way out was to update the fixtures to become compliant.
Is more GPM better for the shower head?
No, more GPM isn’t better for the shower head because of water wastage. Additionally, a lower flow rate doesn’t mean a bad shower experience. Most manufacturers work tirelessly to ensure an excellent shower experience, even at a low flow rate.
You might be wondering, is higher GPM better shower head? Some say yes, but with the evolution of shower heads, the lower flow rate shower heads have power pulses that maximize pulsation force delivering more significant streams of water, ensuring muscle-penetrating massage.
How do I increase the water pressure in my shower?
Increasing your shower head pressure is achievable through these simple hacks:
- Cleaning the shower head: clean and remove all mineral build-up by scrubbing using a dish scrubber or toothbrush.
- Remove water restrictor: when you remove the water restrictor, your shower head water pressure will improve. Removing it can also detach mineral build-up around the water restrictor.
- Replace your shower hose: a dented shower hose can restrict water flow. If you experience low-pressure, check whether the hose has leaks or dents.
- Ensure the water valve is fully opened: when the water shut-off valve is halfway open, it reduces the water pressure in the taps.
- Stop taking a shower when other taps are running: if you try all methods and the pressure is still low, shut off all other running appliances when showering instead of looking for the best shower head to increase water pressure.
FAQ
Can you remove the water restrictor from the shower head?
Yes, you can. Although it is not advisable because water restrictors are part of aerators, and when you remove them, you interfere with their functions. The water restrictor controls the flow rate, so when you remove the shower head, you may experience uncomfortable showering.
Is 2.0 GPM enough for a shower?
Although most standard shower heads have 2.5GPM, the 2.0 GPM is still enough and meets the requirements. So stop asking is 2 GPM is good water pressure or doubting its performance. It’s a low flow rate but is economical.
Is 1.75 GPM enough for a shower?
Yes, but for a specific purpose. The shower head is for people with low-pressure sensitivity or who prefer less intense shower moments. They reduce water consumption by 75% of what you use per minute.
What kind of shower is best for low water pressure?
The best shower head for low water pressure would be 1.80 GPM. Because these shower heads come with WaterSense certification, they are certified by EPA. Products bearing the WaterSense label have excellent performance, help in water conservation, and save money.
Verdict
When purchasing a shower head, remember that your 1.8 GPM shower head won’t function as your old 3.5 GPM. Depending on your location, you may find only 2.5 GPM, 2.0 GPM, and 1.80 GPM. The lower the flow rate of your shower head, the better it is for the environment and your pocket.
So if you are an environmental advocate or would love to cut the cost of your water bill by more than 40%, then choose 1.80 GPM or 1.75gpm. Although you may fancy the 2.5 shower heads, it wastes a lot of water, especially if your household has more than two people.
Also read – Shower Head and Valve On Different Walls
