Bathtubs vs. Showers: Which is More Water Efficient?

When you take a shower or soak in a bathtub, you may wonder how much water you are using. While filling a bathtub with water may not seem very water efficient, letting the water run for the duration of your shower can also use a lot of water.

So which will shrink your water footprint: a bathtub or a shower?

Bathtubs

Many people prefer to take a long, relaxing soak in a bathtub as opposed to a rinse in a walk-in shower. Tubs come in an array of shapes and sizes, all with different water capacities, but we can safely say that a typical bathtub can hold about 70 gallons of water.

This may be a surprising number at first. But it’s likely that you rarely fill your tub to the very brink, so that number is greatly reduced when you actually take a bath. In fact, you may only use approximately 35 gallons of water. Plus, once your bathtub has been filled, you typically will not need to turn on the faucet again.

Showers

While shower times vary between men and women, the average amount of time a person spends in the shower is about eight minutes. You may think this is a short period of time, but keep in mind that water is running during the entire duration of your shower—so you will use approximately 17 gallons of water within those eight minutes.

Life circumstances can also lengthen or shorten the amount of time you spend in the shower. For example, if you have long hair, you may take a longer shower because you need to shampoo and condition. Or if you didn’t do much during the day, you may just quickly rinse off, taking just a couple minutes to shower.

Regardless of the length of your shower, there are efficient ways to reduce water consumption. A great alternative to a standard shower can be a water-efficient shower that features water-saving showerheads and faucets, which can help to reduce your water footprint.

So Which Option Saves More Water?

In terms of traditional bathtubs and showers, it’s safe to say that it depends! There are many factors that come into play when taking a shower or a bath, so everyone uses a different amount of water.

At Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Arizona, we can install both bathtubs and showers in a variety of different styles. No matter which bathing method you prefer, our team can help ensure you are potentially lowering your water bill while bathing.

If you’re interested in learning more about our products, contact us today.