HO-82-09-4 -- Showering Behavior: Implications for Water and Energy Conservation ✓ Most Recent

Three groups of subjects were selected to determine the amount and temperature of the water used when showering. The control group of 120 subjects (60 men and 60 women) was divided into four groups (15 men and 15 women) who, after showering, dressed in rooms whose temperatures were 18.3°C (65°F) 21.1°C (70°F) 23.9°C (75°F) and 26.7°C (80°F). The greatest amount of comfort after showering was experienced in the 26.7°C (80°F) room. This group, who did not wash their hair while showering used a mean of 36 liters (9.2 gal) of water for their showers. A second group of subjects (12 men and 12 women), who did wash their hair, used 62 liters (16.4 gal); this represented an increase in water used by 78%. A third group (12 men and 12 women), who had their showers fitted with a shower head that restricted the flow-rate of water, used 24 liters (6.4 gal) or 30% less water. However, they set their water temperature at 41.1°C (106°F) vs the 38.9°C (102°F) setting of the other two groups. Implications of these findings are discussed in relation to both water and energy conservation and the amount of water used at different latitudes in the continental U.S. where the temperature of the water supply is different.