Stop energy going down the drain
 Australians live in the world's driest continent – yet we're among the heaviest per capita users of water on Earth.
Tasmanians use less than people in other states, but there's still plenty of scope to reduce our consumption and conserve this precious natural resource.
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Save water – save energy – save dollars!
One of the biggest average household users of water is the shower. And of course, as well as the water used, all those wonderful hot showers are consuming the energy that is needed to heat the water.
So, saving water in our daily showers has a double benefit.
How to do it? Shorter showers with less pressure is an obvious step. Even more effective is the new generation of water-saving shower heads, which can deliver a satisfying shower while significantly reducing the amount of water – and water-heating energy – that you use.
Australia has introduced the AAAAA Rating Scheme for energy-saving devices including shower heads. A shower head rated AAA has the potential to cut water and energy use by over 50% when compared to a normal shower head.
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What you’ll pay and what you’ll save
 Results vary with every household, but as a guide, with four people each having a daily 10 minute shower, one AAA-rated shower head could reduce the hot water component of your electricity bill up to $400 a year. If you live in a municipality where you pay for a metered water supply, the savings are even higher, because instead of using 20-30 litres of water per minute for your shower, an AAA shower head cuts use down to around 10 litres per minute.
There’s a good selection of shower heads to choose from, ranging in price from around $75 (head only) up to $150 for models including head and long arm wall mount. So, even at the top of the range, the pay-back time could be less than five months – after that, it’s savings all the way.
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But is it a real shower?
Some people don't enjoy the feeling of water-saving shower heads – they say they have to run around to get wet.
Don't despair – there are innovative new models that use clever technology to make the water feel wetter by 'wrapping' the droplets around tiny bubbles of air, which flow over your skin instead of bouncing off.
The result is a great shower, strong but gentle, but still with significant savings of water and energy.
With the reduction in water heating costs you could expect to recover the small initial outlay for the shower head in under a year – and at the same time you'll be helping conserve Tasmania's supply of pure, fresh drinking water.
Any good plumbing supplies centre or hardware store can show you the latest range of water-saving shower heads. Look for the AAA rating – and start saving, first thing every morning.
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