Showerhead flow rate is known as Gallon per minute (GPM). GPM indicates that how much a showerhead provides water flow in each minute while taking a shower.
Therefore, it is essential to know about the shower head flow rate. By which you know precisely how much a shower costing in water use.
Keep in mind; high water flow increases your water & energy bills.
Therefore, most of the people choose low flow showerhead, which comes with less than 2.5GPM that reduces utility bills.
In this article about How to determine showerhead flow rate, and most people also want to know the answer to this question.
How to Measure the Showerhead Flow Rate?
The purpose of showerhead low flow rate is water conservation. Therefore, It is a critical factor that essential to evaluate. In the market, showerheads come with different water flow rate. Whenever you buy a new showerhead, you will a flow rate print on the packaging. What if, you shifted in a rental house, and you want to know the flow rate of the showerhead. How will you determine the flow rate? Do not worry; you can measure the flow rate on your own by following these guidelines.
- Gather tools and supplies: First of all, you need to gather the necessary tools and supplies for determining the water flow rate of the showerhead. Include a Bucket for holding water, stopwatch, and measuring cup. Just follow the instructions carefully. You will know the water flow rate of the showerhead cost-effectively.
- Collect the water from the showerhead: Before turn on the cold water, set the timer to 10 seconds. After that, put the container or bucket under the water stream and turn on the water in full-blast. Start the timer, and make sure you collected all water. When 10 seconds are up, quickly turn off the fixture.
- Water quantity measurement: Now, measure the water quantity that we collected in the bucket by using a measuring cup. Stay focused, and convert the measurement value into gallons. Keep in mind; there are 16 cups or 4 quarts in a gallon. The measurement is expressed in a simple fraction like 8 cups equal to 8/16, or 1/2 gallon.
- Evaluate the GPM Flow Rate: Now, to calculate the Gallon per minute, you need to multiply the water quantity measurement value by 6. According to our previous example, the water quantity was 1/2 gallon. Now multiply the 1/2 gallon by 6 that equals to 3 gallons. So, the GPM flow rate of the showerhead would be 3GPM.
According to the Federal Energy Policy Act of 1992, all showerhead or faucet sold in the US which have no more than 2.2 GPM at 60psi (pounds per square inch) water pressure. With the same law, showerheads come with no more than 2.5 GPM. Moreover, the water pressure of the house may be higher or lower than 60psI. Think wisely, and choose low flow showerheads that are water efficient and reduce water & energy bills.
