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Hey guys, I’m brand new to the forum. Flat dweller for six years. I’m looking to splurge a bit and upgrade my shower which I hate. It’s something I’ve always wanted to do and I’m looking at a luxury shower system* for it. My concerns are cost and environmental issues. I don’t mind forking out for the system that’s kind of the point, I’m just worried about unforseen costs arising and also wondering if a compromise point can be reached between an enjoyable shower and not wasting water.
Opinions/stories would be appreciated
[*A link to a website selling luxury showers systems was removed due to complaints about this website being used for free advertising – JT]
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Hi johnkerr,
It's my understanding that inefficient showerheads can't be offered for sale any more. Also, the efficient ones aren't as painful as they were in the early days and with good ones you don't notice that you're actually using less water.
Just check out the flow rate of the system you're looking at. If it's 9 litres/minute or less you'll still be environmentally responsible.
The website that johnkerr referred to (and I removed)had a couple of those 'rainwater' heads. Do they work well with restricted flow? I have to say that's on my Santa renovation list.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
I've done some searching at https://www.waterrating.gov.au to confirm my statement in the earlier post.
All new products — where the product has been manufactured or imported into Australia on or after 1 July 2006 — must now be registered and labelled under the WELS (Water Efficiency Labelling Scheme) before they can be sold. Products covered under this scheme are skwers, taps, flow controllers, toilet & urinal equipment, washing machines and dishwashers.
If the rain showers you're looking at have a WELS label you'd have to think they work?!
All this has reminded me that I'd like one too…
Low flow shower heads can be more trouble than they're worth in older blocks, where they're incompatible with gravity-feed hotwater systems and place additional back pressure on older pipework.
Human dynamics is such that you'll perceive that the water is cooler simply because it's aerated, and will therefore increase the feed of hot water and consequently your costs.
If you really want to save the 10 litres per minute that a low flow showerhead will achieve, keep your normal showerhead, have a better shower for half the time, and enjoy it !!
I'd just like to say that after doing my research it dos appear that rainwater heads are suprisingly water effecient. Don't worry I won't post any links to the wiki because I'll get deleted.
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