If you are not concerned about water usage in your home and business, perhaps you should be. The National Resources Defense Council paints a dry and thirsty portrait of a world warmed by climate change: More than 1100 counties in the United States face higher risks of water shortages by 2050. With more than 400 of these counties placed at extremely high risk, your showerhead may be the front line of defense in your water preservation strategy.
Since 1993, the flow rates of showerheads sold in the USA have been restricted by law to 2.5 gpm. The overwhelming majority of showerheads in the USA today are flowing 2.5 gpm or more. By reducing the flow rate to 1.5 gpm, a water and energy savings of 40% can be achieved. Studies have determined that a 1.5 gpm shower head used by a family of 4 can save as much as $200 per year in energy costs and 6800 gallons of water. Although the water savings from a 1.5 gpm shower head are about the same those of a low flush toilet, the return on investment is much faster. The payback period from savings for a 1.5 gpm shower head that costs $30 averages is about 2 months.
High Sierra Showerheads, LLC manufactures and markets 1.5 gpm water saving shower heads. The shower head nozzle design is unique in that it delivers a strong and full coverage spray from a minimal amount of water and can do so without any of the plugging and temperature loss issues that are typical of other designs. The nozzle technology of the High Sierra Showerhead evolved from nozzles that High Sierra Showerheads founder previously invented and patented for hand watering golf course greens.
The Green Living Examiner wonders if greenies have to sacrifice a good-feeling shower when they switch to a low-flow option. How big a difference can a showerhead make? Owner and founder of Sierra Showerheads, David Malcolm, answers our questions.
Can a showerhead really make a big difference in water usage?
Replacing old showerheads is by far the most cost effective water conservation measure available to households for decreasing water usage and water consumption. This holds true across states, countries, and public applications—especially schools and prisons where institutions are constantly looking for ways to cut costs.
Can a Sierra Showerhead save a significant amount of money for users?
We did a case-study on a large federal prison that changed out their 2.5 gpm showerheads with our 1.5 gpm devices. They saved $52,000 in heating costs and 3.5 million gallons of water in one year. The showerheads paid for themselves in three months. This is such an easy way to save money, regardless of whether you want to help the planet, that we can’t believe more people don’t do it.
Do your showerheads feel as good as ones that use more water?
On first use, some customers question whether the flow of our showerheads is really only 1.5 gallons per minute. This is because no other showerheads create a spray the way ours do.
All High Sierra Showerheads are equipped with diaphragms that regulate the water pressure entering the showerhead to about 12 psi. The patented nozzle then breaks the low pressure stream of water into a spray of uniform, large droplets. The spray is not a fine mist. The large droplets and minimal water pressure combine to create a comfortable and strong spray that has the force to rinse long hair.
Who is buying Sierra Showerheads?
We are selling to people who want to help the environment, people who want to save money in this down economy, or people who are motivated by both concerns.
Where can consumers and business find your product?
Consumers buy a showerhead or two from our website or Amazon.com or at our website . Institutions and contractors buy our website at www.highsierrashowerheads.com.
How did you develop your low-flow showerhead?
I had been asked by golf course superintendents to develop a hose end nozzle that would deliver a uniform, large droplet spray that would allow for quick hand watering of golf greens without damaging the turf and would be maintenance free. The resulting nozzle would eventually become the most popular hose end fixed spray nozzle for golf greens in the USA. While testing the new nozzle at nearby golf courses, I began to envision its potential application outside of golf and tested it on horses. I made up prototypes for washing down horses and was impressed at how effectively it worked to clean without startling them. The horses did enjoy their baths and the wash down was fast. I then began to see the potential of the nozzle design as a water saving showerhead. After much trial and error, I settled on 1.5 gpm as the ideal flow rate for the new showerhead design. Production began in January 2009. Our website www.highsierrashowerheads.com went online shortly afterward. The High Sierra Showerheads, LLC toll free number is 888-445-1941.
Thank you Mr. Malcolm.
Comments