Deciding between a shower and bathtub is one of the most important decisions you make if you are pursuing a bathroom remodeling project. Many homeowners base their opinions on which one wastes more water because they want to make eco-friendly upgrades. It’s important to understand the ways each can waste water and how you can reduce water waste regardless of which option you choose.

A Guide for Your Next Bathroom Remodeling Project

Which Wastes More?

A full bath requires 70 gallons of water that will be used and then flushed down the drain. A 5-minute shower uses 10-25 gallons of water on average. Not all people fill the bathtub up all the way; likewise, not everyone takes a 5-minute shower. The average American stays in the shower for 7.8 minutes. Also, more family members tend to take showers throughout the day than baths, so which is more wasteful often comes down to habits. What is known is that poor practices with each will waste water.

What Factors Contribute to Water Waste?

Many people needlessly run the shower while grooming and using the restroom. They may then spend far longer than needed in the shower, which leads to waste. This is called behavioral waste. People may also use baths too often—for many, they’re a treat rather than how a person cleans themselves.

How Can You Prevent Waste?

Start by checking your habits. Make sure that you aren’t spending more time than needed in the shower. You can collect cold water in buckets to use in your garden while you wait for the shower to turn on. Once in, turn the water off if you shave or brush your teeth, and then turn it on as needed. Use a timer to remind yourself when it’s time to get out. 

Try to only fill the bathtub up to the amount you need rather than all the way. It’s best to also only take a bath if you plan on spending a lot of time in there to relax; if you’re just cleaning, take a shower instead. You can then collect the water from the bath after and recycle it. Fill your toilet tank with it so you won’t need to use other water to flush. 

You can also install low-flow showerheads that will reduce water waste during showers. If you want to build a new home, you can also explore installing a gray water system that will capture shower and bath water, treat it, and then allow you to reuse it in your home.

If you’re ready to begin your next bathroom remodeling project, contact our team at Walker Construction Company, Inc. by calling (334) 790-2706. We’ve helped customers throughout Dothan, AL, bring their home design dreams to life for nearly two generations. Whether you’re interested in a home addition, commercial remodeling, or home building, we’ll work closely with you to fulfill all your needs. Visit our website to learn more about our services.