"Ended up spending twice as long rinsing shampoo out, so not sure it saved me much water in the end... Guess it depends on the model you pick."
Yeah, I hear you on that. I've installed plenty of low-flow showerheads for clients, and honestly, they're definitely not all created equal. A few years back, I decided to test one out at home myself to see what the fuss was about. Figured it'd be a good way to cut down on the water bill, right?
Well, the first one I tried was a cheap model from the hardware store—big mistake. The water pressure felt like a weak drizzle, and like you said, rinsing shampoo took forever. My wife wasn't impressed either, and after a week of complaints, I knew it wasn't gonna last.
But before giving up completely, I did some research and found a model with a better design—one that mixes air into the water stream. The difference was night and day. It still used less water, but the pressure felt strong enough to rinse off quickly without frustration. Been using that one ever since, and honestly, we haven't noticed any downsides.
If you're considering trying again, look for showerheads labeled as "aerating" or "air-infused." They really do make a difference. Also, check reviews online first—real user feedback can save you from wasting money on something you'll end up hating.
At the end of the day, water-saving is great, but practicality matters too. No point installing something you'll just rip out later because it's annoying.
I get your point about the aerating showerheads, but honestly, I'm still not totally convinced they're always the best choice. I've tried a few different types myself, and while some aerating models do feel stronger, I've found they can sometimes cool down the water a bit. I guess mixing air into the stream makes sense for pressure, but it also means you're actually spraying tiny droplets through cooler air...which can feel chilly, especially if your bathroom isn't well-heated.
A couple years back, I installed an aerating showerhead for my parents because they wanted to cut down their water usage. At first they liked it—felt strong enough and seemed to rinse shampoo fine. But then winter rolled around, and suddenly it was a different story. My mom complained that the shower felt colder, even though the water heater was working fine. We eventually figured out it was because of the air mixing in and cooling things down slightly. They ended up switching back to a non-aerating low-flow model that had a narrower spray pattern instead. It wasn't as powerful-feeling as the aerating one, but it kept the water warmer and still saved them some water.
I think maybe the trick is just finding the right balance between pressure, temperature, and water savings. If you live somewhere warm or have a well-insulated bathroom, then sure, aerating heads might be perfect. But if you're in a colder climate or sensitive to temperature changes like my folks are, you might want to consider other low-flow options too. Narrower spray patterns or adjustable heads can sometimes be just as effective without that chilly feeling.
In any case, it's definitely worth researching and reading reviews before settling on one model. There's no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to comfort and practicality at home...
Totally agree it's about finding the right balance. Had a similar issue myself when I installed an aerating head in our guest bathroom. It felt great at first—good pressure, less water—but whenever colder months hit, guests would casually mention it felt a bit chilly. Eventually swapped it out for one of those adjustable low-flow heads with multiple spray settings. Still saves water, and people seem happier overall...guess comfort counts just as much as efficiency sometimes.
"...guess comfort counts just as much as efficiency sometimes."
That's a good point—comfort really can be a deciding factor. Makes me wonder, though: how do you guys handle situations where water-saving fixtures actually cause other issues? For instance, I've seen cases where low-flow toilets lead to more frequent clogs because there's just not enough water to flush properly. Seems counterproductive if you end up using more water trying to clear blockages, right? Have any of you run into similar unintended consequences when trying to be eco-friendly around the house? Curious if there's a reliable workaround or if it's just a matter of trial and error...
Yeah, I've definitely seen that happen. Low-flow toilets can be a real pain sometimes—especially if the plumbing's older or wasn't designed for them. One workaround I've found helpful is adjusting the flush mechanism slightly to give it a bit more oomph without totally defeating the purpose. Also, being cautious about what goes down there in the first place helps a ton... prevention beats plunging any day, trust me.
