Not sure I totally buy into the idea that ultra-low-flow always means a bad shower experience. I get that some of the early models were pretty rough, but aren’t there newer designs that use air mixing or different spray patterns to make it feel like there’s more water? I’ve been researching options for our bathroom reno and it seems like the tech has improved a lot.
I do wonder, though, if people sometimes give up too quickly on the eco-friendly stuff just because the first try isn’t perfect. Maybe it’s worth testing a couple brands or tweaking settings before deciding it’s not practical. Or maybe it just depends on your plumbing and water pressure at home... Hard to say what’ll work until you actually try it, I guess.
You’re right, the newer showerheads are way better than those old “trickle” models. I’ve swapped out a few for clients, and some of the air-mix ones really do feel like more water. Sometimes it’s just a matter of cleaning out the sediment or fiddling with the flow restrictor. Every house is a little different... but yeah, don’t give up after the first try.
I’ve definitely noticed that with the air-mix showerheads—sometimes it’s almost weird how much “fuller” the spray feels, even though you know it’s using less water. I’ll admit, I used to just yank out the flow restrictors because I hated those weak showers, but lately I’ve been trying to leave them in. Water bills aren’t getting any cheaper, and it’s not like I want to waste more than I have to.
One thing that trips me up is when you get those old houses with ancient pipes. Sometimes even a brand new showerhead can’t fix the low pressure if there’s a bunch of gunk in the lines. Ever tried flushing out the pipes themselves? It’s a pain but sometimes worth it.
Curious—do you guys actually check if your fixtures are WaterSense certified or whatever, or do you just go by feel? I usually just test it out and see if it works for me, but maybe I’m missing something by not paying attention to all those ratings...
I totally get what you mean about the old pipes—sometimes it feels like you’re fighting a losing battle, no matter how fancy the showerhead is. I’ve flushed out lines before and yeah, it’s messy but can make a difference if there’s a lot of buildup. As for WaterSense, I’ll admit I mostly go by feel too. The ratings are nice, but if the shower feels weak or weird, I’m not keeping it just because of a sticker. That said, I do try to stick with the water-saving stuff when possible... bills are no joke these days.
Honestly, I’m right there with you—if the shower feels like a drizzle, I don’t care what the label says, it’s getting swapped out. I tried one of those “ultra-efficient” showerheads and it was just sad. But yeah, I do look for the water-saving stuff when I can, mostly because my last water bill nearly gave me a heart attack. Still, if it doesn’t work for my house, I’m not forcing it. Old pipes are stubborn.
