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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Shower/Bath which uses less?

9 replies

crochetmonkey74 · 22/08/2022 08:25

A few years ago I was watching the one show and they said that the average shower uses as much water as the average bath. At the time I felt relieved as I lived in a place that only had a bath and I was concerned I was using too much water from an environment standpoint. Last week, in light of the droughts etc there was lots on TV about having showers instead of baths as it uses a third less water. So the next time I had a shower, I put the plug in and sure enough I collected a bath full, the amount I would use to have a bath. I'm a quick showerer so how is this possible?
For context, I have a bath tap connected shower up on the wall, water pressure is good. Have I just got an outdated system and more modern set ups have different technologies to save water?

OP posts:
user1471505494 · 22/08/2022 08:52

I have to stand in the bath to shower. With the plug in from the start the water doesn’t even cover my feet. Perhaps you aren’t as quick as you think

AllFreeOwls · 22/08/2022 08:54

My shower uses less water then my bath. Either you've got a very quick filling bath or you're spending longer in the shower then you realise.

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 22/08/2022 08:55

I definitely don't take long. I am starting to think I have a quick filling system though. How weird!

OP posts:
Baystard · 22/08/2022 08:57

OP I think electric showers (which heat the water) restrict the flow of water, otherwise they'd not be able to heat it up quickly enough, and this type use much less water. The type you have will just redirect the water you'd have poured into the bath out through the shower head, and if it takes about the same length of time to shower as it would take you to run a bath, you'll use the same amount of water.

PrinceOfPegging · 22/08/2022 08:57

Why don’t you time how long you spend in the shower next time and report back? Mine barely covers my ankles when I shower

RewildingAmbridge · 22/08/2022 08:58

We have a dual shower over the bath, and very good mains pressure, the overhead shower films at least half a bath (very deep bath) the smaller one that can be handheld is probably a few inches in the bottom. If you have a mains shower, not seen electric one and good pressure is because your shower is chucking out a lot of water. Also worth timing yourself to see just how long you are in there

Baystard · 22/08/2022 08:58

(Mine is similar to yours and fills a bath really quickly so there's not really a saving).

Original poster
crochetmonkey74 · 22/08/2022 09:19

Baystard · 22/08/2022 08:57

OP I think electric showers (which heat the water) restrict the flow of water, otherwise they'd not be able to heat it up quickly enough, and this type use much less water. The type you have will just redirect the water you'd have poured into the bath out through the shower head, and if it takes about the same length of time to shower as it would take you to run a bath, you'll use the same amount of water.

Of course!! This makes sense.
Am definitely clear about how long I spend. I choose a shower when I have to be less than 5 mins

OP posts:
CulturePigeon · 22/08/2022 12:53

It definitely depends on what kind of shower you have and what kind of bath!

I usually have a 'wartime austerity' bath, with just enough warm (not hot) water to do the job. I roll around to get clean. I'm out in 4 mins max.

I admit I don't get the 'wallowing in luxury with products and candles' type of bath at all. I'm pretty sure I use less water than my children with their 10-minute hair-washing showers.

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