Shower water use: how much you use and how to cut it

Shower water use adds up fast. Showering accounts for nearly 40 gallons a day for the average family, according to the US EPA’s WaterSense program.

What showerheads use

Standard showerheads use 2.5 gallons per minute. WaterSense labeled models must use no more than 2.0 gallons per minute, the EPA says.

The savings

The average family could save 2,700 gallons a year with WaterSense showerheads, plus more than 330 kilowatt hours of electricity from heating less water.

Replacing showerheads with labeled models can cut the average family’s water and energy costs by about 70 dollars a year.

Easy habits

Shave a couple of minutes off each shower and turn the water off while you lather.

The fine print

These are averages for a family. Your savings depend on your current showerhead and how long you shower.

Why it matters

Saving hot water saves twice: the water itself and the energy used to heat it.

Try it yourself

Run your own numbers with our free Shower Water Calculator.

Sources: US EPA WaterSense showerheads, US EPA WaterSense statistics.

Key takeaways on shower water use

Here is the short version on shower water use. Standard showerheads use 2. The average family could save 2,700 gallons a year with WaterSense showerheads, plus more than 330 kilowatt hours of electricity from heating less water. Replacing showerheads with labeled models can cut the average family’s water and energy costs by about 70 dollars a year. Shave a couple of minutes off each shower and turn the water off while you lather. These are averages for a family. Saving hot water saves twice: the water itself and the energy used to heat it. Run your own numbers with our free Shower Water Calculator. Sources: US EPA WaterSense showerheads, US EPA WaterSense statistics.

Use these points on shower water use as a starting point, check the numbers against your own home or business, and share what you learn with someone who can use it.