Why should I install a low-flow showerhead? Heating water is the second largest consumer of energy in the home, after heating the house itself. Our daily hot showers require a tremendous amount of hot water. The good news: You don't need to take shorter showers or shower less frequently! Instead, you can reduce your energy costs and hot water consumption by up to 20 percent by installing an inexpensive and more efficient showerhead. These easy-to-install showerheads use only 1.6-1.7 gallons of water per minute instead of the 2.5 to 3.5 gallons per minute used by a typical showerhead. Over time, these savings really add up. Unlike the low-flow models of the 1970s and 1980s that restricted water flow to barely a trickle, today's brands use aerators and pressurizers to conserve water without decreasing the force of the spray.