Part 4: Install high performance shower heads and faucet aerators.

This is part 4 on ways to take steps to make you home more energy efficient.  You can go to the previous entry Part 3 or go to the next entry Part 5 here.

By installing a high performance shower head you can cut down on the amount of water used per shower. Current regulations are for 2.5 GPM, but there are models working down to 1.5 GPM. Using a family of 4 at 10 minutes per shower you could save over $80 a year in water expenses. This should more than pay for itself for more models. If the water pressure from these lower GPM models is a concern you can get a showerhead with an aerator feature that will make the spray more powerful.

Installing a faucet aerator can likewise save you money for any faucet they are installed on. These are typically installed on the end of the faucet to slow down the stream of water, some to as little as 1.5 GPM. These add-ons can be as cheap a $1 and take minutes to install.

If either your showerhead or faucet aerator seems to be to low in pressure try cleaning it in vinegar for a day and cleaning it with a q-tip. This should help extend the life of the device and remove mineral buildups.