Are Baths or Showers More Water-Efficient?

For as long as they’ve existed, bathtubs and showers have been compared: Which is better for a growing family? Which one is safer? Which one is cheaper? Today, we’re answering this question: Which one is more water-efficient?

As you try to become more aware of your environmental impact—and your water bill—you may be looking to switch up your bathing routine to use as little water as possible. Your initial thought may be that taking a bath is more water-efficient because the water isn’t constantly running. This is a common misconception; it actually takes quite a large amount of water to adequately fill a tub. Therefore, taking a shower generally uses less water than a full bath, depending on several factors:

The Length of Your Shower

Taking a quick, 5 to 10-minute shower typically uses less water than filling up an entire bathtub. However, if you’re guilty of frequently taking showers that last anywhere from 20 to 30 minutes, you’re better off splish-splashing in the tub. We get it, sometimes a long bath or shower is your only time to relax and escape from reality, but be sure to keep the planet and your bill budget in mind!

Your Showerhead

Ordinary showerheads flow at a rate of 2.5 gallons per minute. If you’re okay with sacrificing some water pressure for the greater good, though, you can swap out your showerhead with a more water-efficient model. With a water-saving showerhead, you can certainly count on enjoying a more water-efficient way to rinse off.

How You Use Your Tub

Some people truly can’t part with their blissful bathtime, which is completely understandable. If you’re one of these people, consider ways you can reuse your bath water before sending it down the drain. Maybe you can give your pet a bath after you finish yours, or hop on the trend of laundry stripping.

If you’re super serious about saving water and want to convert a bathtub into a shower, Tundraland can happily help you with the project. Contact us today to learn about the tub-to-shower conversions that we perform for Wisconsin homeowners.