When you’re planning a bathroom remodel, you may want to make the space more efficient and reduce your overall water usage. You might be considering alternatives to the traditional bathtub and shower arrangement and whether installing one or the other is the best way to conserve water. The short answer is that showers use less water than a tub, but there are additional factors to consider before executing your renovation.

How Much Water Do Tubs & Showers Use?

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, tubs use significantly more water than showers. The average bathtub requires 70 gallons of water to fill if you’re filling it to the very top. A five-minute shower only uses 10 to 25 gallons. However, EPA research indicates that even when you don't fill the tub completely, showers use less water. 

Factors That Affect Water Usage 

The style of your tub can also increase water usage. Although soaking tubs or jetted tubs are popular in bathroom remodels, they use more water than a standard bathtub, and some models can hold up to 250 gallons of water. 

Even though showers generally use less water than baths, opting for multiple showerheads can drive up water usage. This is still true if the individual showerheads meet EPA standards for efficiency and deliver no more than 2.5 gallons of water per minute.

Save Water While Bathing 

When planning your bathroom remodel, you don't have to choose between water efficiency and luxury or give up a bathtub altogether. Smart choices and habit changes will allow you to have both. Some of the things you can do include:

• Only Bathe Occasionally: Using the tub once a week and showering the rest of the time will not measurably increase your water usage. 
• Shorten Your Showers: Cutting even a few minutes from your shower time can save hundreds of gallons of water every month. 
• Install Low-Flow Showerheads: Look for showerheads with the WaterSense® label, which help reduce usage. Switching from a showerhead that uses two gallons per minute instead of 2.5 gallons can make a huge difference. 
• Don’t Waste Water: When filling the tub, put in the drain plug as soon as the water starts, and adjust the temperature as it fills. 

When considering a bathroom remodel, turn to the experienced contractors of Naugle Construction Company in Columbia, MO. With more than 50 years of experience in construction and home improvement, they have the knowledge and skills necessary to help bring your dream bathroom to life. Visit them online for more information about their services, or call (573) 474-9444 to get a quote.