larry4406
Well-known member
Will this help the water shortage in CA?
high flow shower heads?
- Thread starter metalmagpie
- Start date
If your'e doing a new shower only install some 4 port T+S valves can be installed upside down using the tub spout port for the shower and cap the upside down shower port. I know some of the Kohler valves work this way, the tub port is larger than the shower port and it'll supply more volume to the heads.
Paco Pena
Well-known member
When my kids were teenagers they would drain the water heater if you let them. I swapped in a 1.0 gpm shower head designed for use on a boat.
Paco
Paco
Fav Onefour
Well-known member
Water pressure out of the head varies a lot.
I have a simple looking EZ-Flo that dang near stings. I like that basic thing. It's noisy but powerful.
We've tried quite a few different shower heads over the years.
My wife wanted a fancy shower head in our master bath at the end of the world. I swapped out the simple head for some atomizer head she chose. Some kind of kickstarter trying to save the world's water. I think it was spendy. It is incredibly low flow. I have to run hot for quite awhile to get the thing up to temp. It does actually work fairly well once the hot gets hot. For some odd reason I can't explain fully, it actually feels like high pressure. That head does not drain the water heater with multiple showers in a row.
The last statement is our issue. Some of the fancy stuff we tried used so much water that the water heater couldn't recover fast enough. I had to crank up the water heater temp setting so the blend would last longer. I know one of those heads had junk pressure. It didn't make sense to lose hot water with a shower head that didn't feel like it had pressure.
I have a simple looking EZ-Flo that dang near stings. I like that basic thing. It's noisy but powerful.
We've tried quite a few different shower heads over the years.
My wife wanted a fancy shower head in our master bath at the end of the world. I swapped out the simple head for some atomizer head she chose. Some kind of kickstarter trying to save the world's water. I think it was spendy. It is incredibly low flow. I have to run hot for quite awhile to get the thing up to temp. It does actually work fairly well once the hot gets hot. For some odd reason I can't explain fully, it actually feels like high pressure. That head does not drain the water heater with multiple showers in a row.
The last statement is our issue. Some of the fancy stuff we tried used so much water that the water heater couldn't recover fast enough. I had to crank up the water heater temp setting so the blend would last longer. I know one of those heads had junk pressure. It didn't make sense to lose hot water with a shower head that didn't feel like it had pressure.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Volume is what I like, pressure isn’t quite as important.
Mike you sound a little bitter, did you happen to open the pool for the season already?
That might be why the thread is about high flow showerheads...
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
heated it to 80 then we got weather in the 40's...damn thing is back down to 65Mike you sound a little bitter, did you happen to open the pool for the season already?
But hey, it's all for the kids, so it's OK...
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Yup, but ressure was mentioned in the thread.Mike you sound a little bitter, did you happen to open the pool for the season already?
That might be why the thread is about high flow showerheads...
knightfire83
Member
- Joined
- Mar 25, 2016
- Messages
- 13
Probably ok? But I'd be real nervous of placing electrical boxes on the same stud in which water could potentially leak down onto one day.Probably? Maybe. 13.5 gpm 3/4 mixing valve feeding three volume control valves. Valves control body sprays, overhead, and handheld. It took me the better part of a day to pipe this sumbich. I put a little thought into my shower, no door to clean either.
duneslider
Well-known member
I have discovered some of my valves seem to have the restrictors built in, haven't explored to see if that can be changed, or not. It's the kids shower, so I don't care that much...
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Ive seen a few that looked to be permanent, but then popped out with enough force. If not, a drill fixes permanent .lol
what water heater feeds that?Probably? Maybe. 13.5 gpm 3/4 mixing valve feeding three volume control valves. Valves control body sprays, overhead, and handheld. It took me the better part of a day to pipe this sumbich. I put a little thought into my shower, no door to clean either.
duneslider
Well-known member
Valve is installed in the wall. Not sure where I would be drilling on it. Not sure where the restriction is, or if it is in the valve itself. Need to figure out the model and see what info I can find.
TRWham
Well-known member
I think we've seen even on GJ that some people believe tankless means endless no matter how much they draw from the system, but too small is always going to be too small. Physics is uncaring and undefeated throughout time.
Hey! I have 1 left and am reluctant to get rid of it. We have grandkids that can pass one the size of a can of Coke.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
You don't need a high flow toilet, you need fiber!
Clogs are almost all TP and not turds. But for the kids, I found my best protection on clogs are penguin toilets that have an integrated overflow
dcg9381
Well-known member
Cost doesn't mean as much as gallons consumption. Whatcha at for gallons? More useful as it's no outdoor watering.
Our typical water use is 60 gal - 150 gallons day for 2 humans (mostly depends on laundry). Very minor outdoor watering (drip system).
paulsomlo
Well-known member
Under 1000 gal/month - single household. Most of my bill is infrastructure, sewer fee, etc..
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
My bad, I was talking about shower heads.
housewolf
Well-known member
Rinnai tankless
JamesW84
Well-known member
Your water is free, but your well pump and electricity to run it likely is not.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
I knew that when I made that post but the 3¢ worth of electricity to take a shower is miniscule.
Wonder if anyone here has a brick in their toilet to save money? It seemed like all the old people put a brick in their toilet during the 1970s recession.
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yatg
Well-known member
That was a 5 gallon flush. Probably save a quart per brick.
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
The other water saving trick some old people used back then was to only flush after taking a poop!
The old saying was “If it’s yellow let it mellow, if it’s brown flush it down”.
Between that and the brick they probably saved enough to put one of these deodorizers in the bathroom.
I’m sure it needed one!
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jack stand
Well-known member
Not your average shower for sure!Probably? Maybe. 13.5 gpm 3/4 mixing valve feeding three volume control valves. Valves control body sprays, overhead, and handheld. It took me the better part of a day to pipe this sumbich. I put a little thought into my shower, no door to clean either.
That'll get it done.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Those were the good old days...
JamesW84
Well-known member
Absolutely. The cycles on the well pump is what I'm more concerned about. Not criticizing at all, just saying. I do try to be conscious with water, but I also have a 5 gpm rain shower head and my pressure switch is set on 50-70. I drain my electric water heater after about 10 minutes, so I don't have a lot of choice but to get out or enjoy a cold shower.
Just think of how fast you could shower if manufacturers were free to sell you a 10GPM shower head!
JamesW84
Well-known member
If that's your desire, just run 2 heads!
dcg9381
Well-known member
My "conversion RV" has a 3 gallon hot water heater and an outdoor shower.
How fast you shower is related to three things:
1) The temperature setting of the water heater
2) The ambient air temperature
3) How long it's going to take for your neighbors to see you naked
It's sorta interesting what you "get used" to. After using modern shower heads with their restrictors, I actually don't like having an unrestricted head. I built a big fancy shower in the house that actually has 5 heads. I call it the "party shower". We've never use more than 2 heads, guess I need to invite the neighbors over more?
Whatever you do, don't get your kids an unrestricted head and a tankless water heater... It's disaster.
ludakris04
Well-known member
huh, didn't realize this was such an issue. I have never removed a restrictor or was concerned about extra pressure. Still rocking what ever the builder put in 12 years ago, and it is basic.
I already do!
to be fair, SOMETHING is always limiting your flow
unless you shower here:
BurtEggley
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2024
- Messages
- 851
that picture looks so nice. Where we live is presently limited by state law to 55 gallons per person per day, and that goes down to 42 gallons in a couple years. We did not even have water meters here until about 20 years ago. We had to pay for them in the utility bill, and now they are telling us they have to replace all them again because the batteries in them or something are expiring soon so it is a couple thousand per household to be added into the utility bill again to be amortized out. People on wells have the same limitations. Funny thing is that come say May 1 in any given year a local big reservoir might be hundreds of feet deep and at 99% capacity then come by August 1 they have let 75% of the water out to flow to the sea, and they are declaring a drought emergency. I don't understand their logic because at the same time, unless someone is in an apartment and uses a laundromat or dry cleaner, it is almost impossible to reach the legal number of 55 gallons per person before the state fines the water company for failing to force users to meet that law standard. And then I read a thread like this where people can have high flow shower heads, dual, triple, quad shower heads, and I can't comprehend that ability. I see them put in during home improvement shows. A ten year old top load washing machine may use 40 gallons for one cycle. We have modern appliances, low flow everything, and nothing works as well as it did when I bought this house in my early 40's, some 30+ years ago. This is NOT a political statement, I just don't understand these things, and how one place can allow high flow showers like in this thread, while another place allows the drip method of showering, yet lets fresh water flow to the ocean without using it first then reclaiming it. A gallon of water straight down the river, or a gallon of water run thru a shower head first and reclaimed is still a gallon of water to a fish down river. Isn't it? I guess photos of these devices and water falls is the closest I shall ever come to the real thing.
dcg9381
Well-known member
Water wars are coming.
I'm in TX. It's $25k to drill a hole, no guarantees, and "best case" the water *****. I literally have an easy $20k in alternate production (not counting my time) and it's not a long term case study. I've provided more water for "well based" homes than the alternative, but we are cooperative and have great neighbors.
Michigan, dig 25', I 1' below the frost line and you're good. Say the water warms up a few degrees, I'm quite happy with that because it's terrible cold most of the year.
I dunno what I'm adding to this conversation beyond this conversation beyond I'm too lazy to mow a yard (or water it) so I put a ****-ton of money and back-breaking work to having the yard take near zero water.
However, I'm super pissed because some bird stole my sole my single nanking cherry, a plant I've spent 3+ years producing. If someone wants to send me a fruit, I'd be grateful.
rancherbill
Well-known member
So just because you can your going to use more fuel to heat water that's getting in shorter supply. Will you be complaining when your water utility has to do upgrades?
Hobby_Man22
Well-known member
I had an awesome shower head that flowed a ton of water until my tenant at my rent house changed it out because it was dirty.
housewolf
Well-known member
Yeah, I miss my shower when I travel. The large handle in the middle is the temp control valve, it seldom gets adjusted. Top to bottom, the volume control valves operate the overhead, handheld on opposite wall, and body sprays. I can reach all the controls from the opening (no door). There’s a towel rack on the back wall so I can dry completely before leaving the shower. Bathroom floor stays dry.Not your average shower for sure!
That'll get it done.
Old Man Roger
Well-known member
Do you live in the desert?that picture looks so nice. Where we live is presently limited by state law to 55 gallons per person per day, and that goes down to 42 gallons in a couple years. We did not even have water meters here until about 20 years ago. We had to pay for them in the utility bill, and now they are telling us they have to replace all them again because the batteries in them or something are expiring soon so it is a couple thousand per household to be added into the utility bill again to be amortized out. People on wells have the same limitations. Funny thing is that come say May 1 in any given year a local big reservoir might be hundreds of feet deep and at 99% capacity then come by August 1 they have let 75% of the water out to flow to the sea, and they are declaring a drought emergency. I don't understand their logic because at the same time, unless someone is in an apartment and uses a laundromat or dry cleaner, it is almost impossible to reach the legal number of 55 gallons per person before the state fines the water company for failing to force users to meet that law standard. And then I read a thread like this where people can have high flow shower heads, dual, triple, quad shower heads, and I can't comprehend that ability. I see them put in during home improvement shows. A ten year old top load washing machine may use 40 gallons for one cycle. We have modern appliances, low flow everything, and nothing works as well as it did when I bought this house in my early 40's, some 30+ years ago. This is NOT a political statement, I just don't understand these things, and how one place can allow high flow showers like in this thread, while another place allows the drip method of showering, yet lets fresh water flow to the ocean without using it first then reclaiming it. A gallon of water straight down the river, or a gallon of water run thru a shower head first and reclaimed is still a gallon of water to a fish down river. Isn't it? I guess photos of these devices and water falls is the closest I shall ever come to the real thing.
Do they drain the reservoir because rainy season is coming and they’re worried about breaching a damn, or flooding?
There is a difference between water drained from the reservoir, and used water. They don’t have to treat the water drained from the reservoir, but I do understand your point.
Avoiding politics, which certainly does affect water use, you are ignoring several important things. Firstly, the two major population centers of CA (LA, SF Bay) are a mix or arid and semi-arid land. Secondly, many parts of the US actually have a lot of water. Expecting people to use the same amount of water in very different situations is silly.that picture looks so nice. Where we live is presently limited by state law to 55 gallons per person per day, and that goes down to 42 gallons in a couple years. We did not even have water meters here until about 20 years ago. We had to pay for them in the utility bill, and now they are telling us they have to replace all them again because the batteries in them or something are expiring soon so it is a couple thousand per household to be added into the utility bill again to be amortized out. People on wells have the same limitations. Funny thing is that come say May 1 in any given year a local big reservoir might be hundreds of feet deep and at 99% capacity then come by August 1 they have let 75% of the water out to flow to the sea, and they are declaring a drought emergency. I don't understand their logic because at the same time, unless someone is in an apartment and uses a laundromat or dry cleaner, it is almost impossible to reach the legal number of 55 gallons per person before the state fines the water company for failing to force users to meet that law standard. And then I read a thread like this where people can have high flow shower heads, dual, triple, quad shower heads, and I can't comprehend that ability. I see them put in during home improvement shows. A ten year old top load washing machine may use 40 gallons for one cycle. We have modern appliances, low flow everything, and nothing works as well as it did when I bought this house in my early 40's, some 30+ years ago. This is NOT a political statement, I just don't understand these things, and how one place can allow high flow showers like in this thread, while another place allows the drip method of showering, yet lets fresh water flow to the ocean without using it first then reclaiming it. A gallon of water straight down the river, or a gallon of water run thru a shower head first and reclaimed is still a gallon of water to a fish down river. Isn't it? I guess photos of these devices and water falls is the closest I shall ever come to the real thing.
A simple example: San Jose CA gets an average of about 15” of rain a year. The US average is about 25” a year, and where I live it’s almost 40” a year...
where you live and where your water comes from make a big difference.
is it river water being treated and put in the ocean? that's a pretty finite(limited) source
it is great lakes water being used in the home and going directly to the treatment plant? that's a big circle. the water isn't really being "consumed".