Guide To Best RV Shower Heads And Water Conservation Tips

Introduction to RV Shower Head Replacement Tips

If you own an RV, then you know how important it is to conserve water. Unfortunately, there are a lot of RV shower heads that use a lot of water and in some cases can waste up to 10 gallons per minute! In this blog post, we will discuss the best RV shower head replacement options and give tips for conserving water when taking showers in your RV.

Why Should I Upgrade My RV Shower Head?

There are a few reasons why you should consider upgrading your RV shower head. First, there is the issue of water conservation in an RV. In most cases when traveling around in an RV, you have to stay at campsites where the water pressure may be low and/or inconsistent because all sites have their own well source that can vary from month to month, year to year.

With the low water pressure in campsites, there is a good chance that your current showerhead just isn’t up for the job of giving you an enjoyable shower experience because it uses too much water and takes forever to rinse all of the soap out of your hair!

The second reason why upgrading your RV shower head makes sense is for comfort. If you have a high-pressure shower head that provides nice, even water flow then it will feel far more comfortable than the low-pressure dribble of your current RV shower head.

What are My Options?

The three main options when upgrading an existing RV showerhead include: installing one on the outside of your rig to take advantage of outside pressure, installing a low-flow showerhead inside an RV in order to save water, or upgrading your current head to one that has adjustable water settings.

Option One: Installing An Outside Shower Head

This option is great if you camp often at places where the local water pressure is extremely high. Generally, if you camp often at places where there are public showers or spigots that offer excellent water flow and pressure then this option might be the best one for you.

These showerheads can typically hook up to a standard garden hose and let out about three gallons per minute which will feel like heaven when cleaning off after a long day of hiking or outdoor play.

Option Two: Installing a Low-Flow Showerhead Inside Your RV

For Campsites with less water pressure, this option can work well. If you don’t camp often at places that have great water flow and pressure but want something better than the standard showerhead, you may want to upgrade to a low-flow showerhead.

If this is your situation, a low-flow showerhead can deliver water savings of over 50% while still giving you the ability to have a comfortable shower. These types of heads usually operate at around two gallons per minute and also come with multiple settings that will give you different amounts of pressure from full blast to a very light trickle.

Option Three: Installing an Adjustable Shower Head

This option is probably the most convenient because you can have better pressure and water flow at any campground.

These adjustable heads use about half as much water but still give you high-pressure performance that will feel great when compared to your current showerhead.

What is GPM and What You Need To Know?

GPM stands for gallons per minute. It is a measure of how much water is coming out the end of your shower head. The more GPM, generally speaking, the better because it means that you have more pressure. However, there are two things to consider when thinking about this information:

The first thing is that some campgrounds offer great water flow but lower water pressure. If you have more GPM, it doesn’t necessarily mean that your shower will feel better than someone with less GPM if the water pressure is low.

The second thing to consider is the type of head you are using. How much of a difference is there in terms of water flow and pressure between different types (low-flow, adjustable, etc.)? For example, an adjustable head might use just two gallons per minute but provide much higher water. This is because it is using the same amount of GPM as a low-flow head.

When choosing an RV shower head replacement you will need to know what the GPM of your current water source is. If it is less than two, you won’t be able to get a decent shower with any upgrade unless you go with option three.

What To Look For In New RV Shower Heads

Here is a list of different features to look for when shopping for your new RV shower head.

Water Shut Off Valve:

Look for a head that has a water shut-off valve so you can stop the water from running. This is an important feature in order to cut off the water at multiple points.

Different Types Of Spray Settings:

Look for adjustable spray positions and multiple settings. This will give you the ability to have a light spray or a heavy rinse. The more adjustable spray settings the better. Everyone in your family can find their ideal shower preference and be able to get clean quickly while conserving water.

Water Flow Restrictor Insert:  

This is an important feature to look for because it will allow you to have lower water flow without sacrificing pressure. This is perfect if your campground has low water pressure but good GPM since the restrictor insert can be removed and replaced as needed.

Weight:  

A shower head that feels heavy in your hand is actually a sign of high-quality construction. A heavy head means that it is made from brass or other material (not plastic) and will be able to withstand many years of use.

Removable Shower Head/ Handheld Shower Heads:

Some people like to have the option of taking their showerhead off its mount and using it as a handheld. This is especially useful if you are washing your dog or children since they can be difficult to reach with an overhead shower spout.

Fixed Shower Heads:

If you are looking for a low-maintenance solution then it might be best to go with a fixed shower head that doesn’t require any additional parts or tools in order to use.

Price Point:

There is no need to break the bank when shopping around for an RV shower head replacement since there are so many different options available at different price points. It is important to remember that the most expensive option might not necessarily be the best one for your rig and needs so it’s a good idea to shop around before making any final decision.

For more information on how to save money while RVing, check out this article!

Low Flow Valve/ Flow Stopper Valve:

This is a very important feature to look for when shopping around since it will allow you to have lower water flow without sacrificing pressure. This can be perfect if your campground has low water pressure but good GPM since the valve insert can be removed and then replaced as needed.

What To Do With A Low-Flow Valve?

The first thing to do if you want a low-flow replacement for your RV shower head is to find out the exact GPM of the water source that comes from your campground hookup. If it has less than two then you will not be able to get as good of a shower as some other options might provide but there are still ways to do it.

Water Pressure:

The next thing to do is find out what the water pressure in your campground hookup is since this will determine which type of low-flow showerhead you end up going with. If it has high pressure then you can upgrade to a more powerful option but if not, consider one of the less expensive choices instead like an adjustable valve insert or low-flow showerhead.

The Best RV Shower Heads For Conserving Water:

The best RV shower head for conserving water is the Aqua Elegante model with a low-flow valve and adjustable spray patterns. This one has an advanced design that gives you all of the same great features as more expensive models without breaking your budget to get them. It also comes from a brand that specializes specifically in RV products so you know that you are getting a quality product.

The Best RV Shower Heads For Pressure

If your rig has high water pressure then the best option for an RV shower head is to go with one of our more powerful models like the Aquadance shower head. These two also have adjustable spray patterns but they use a more advanced design to give you a fast flow rate that makes your showering experience as quick and efficient as possible. These are also the best RV shower head if you have water pressure under 80 psi so they should be able to accommodate any rig with ease.

The Best RV Shower Heads For A Handheld Option

If you want a handheld option then the best RV shower head for a handheld is going to be one that doesn’t have any extra pieces or attachments. The Oxygenics and Aqua Elegance II models both come with their own hand shower but if you want something simpler, consider adding our deluxe wall mount kit which allows you to use your existing fixed shower head as a handheld.

The Best RV Shower Heads For The Price

If you are on more of a limited budget then the best option for you is going to be one of our low-cost models like the Camco that have lower spray power but still provide an excellent showering experience without any of the extra bells and whistles. You will still get all of the same great benefits as more expensive models but without having to pay for features you won’t use anyway.

How Do I Install My New Shower Head?

Installing a new RV shower head is actually pretty simple as long as you have the right tools and parts. We recommend reading through our detailed installation guide on each one of our pages so that you know exactly what to expect during your project

Water Conservation Tips For RVers

RVing is about more than just a place to sleep and a hot shower. It’s also an opportunity for you to experience some of the most beautiful parts of our country in one convenient location. That being said, it’s important that we all do what we can to conserve water so here are three tips from RVer’s Choice to help you do just that.

For more information on how to be an eco conscious traveler, check out this article!

Low Flow Valve:

One of the best ways that you can conserve water is to use a low-flow valve for your RV shower head. It will still give you just as much pressure and it won’t cost nearly as much as expensive models but since they don’t have any extra spray patterns, it’s important to find one with good flow rates instead.

Shower Timer:

Another great way to conserve water is by using a shower timer. This will help you ensure that you don’t spend too long in the shower and it also helps your skin since most people can use up around 20 gallons of hot water during a typical five-minute shower.

Rain Water:

One of the best ways to conserve water while you are camping is by using rainwater for your shower. Most campgrounds will have a place where you can hook up an exterior spigot in order to get access to this natural resource so see if yours does and take advantage of it!

Be sure to know the local and state laws surrounding harvesting rainwater.

Turn Off Water While Shaving/ lathering:

Turn off the shower when lathering or shaving to conserve more water when showering. This will save approximately 20 gallons of water per shower.

Save while brushing:

Turning off the faucet flush while you brush your teeth will reduce the amount of water used in a typical RV bathroom by about 20 gallons every time you do it! This can really add up if everyone on board does this, so be sure to remind them when they forget.

Shorter Showers:

Take shorter showers. The average shower uses 20-80 gallons of water while a bath can use up to 80 gallons. Showers typically last about five minutes which is only 0.25% or one day out of 365 days!

Dry Shampoo:

If you find yourself unable to bathe as often, consider using a dry shampoo. This is great for those on the road but can be used by anyone who doesn’t have time to shower every day! Using dry shampoo as opposed to washing your hair during each shower can save up to 20 gallons of water each time you use it!

Wash Dishes Using a Collapsible Bucket:

This can be used to wash dishes in the sink. This method of washing saves water by not running consistently saving approximately 20 gallons of water per hour.

Conclusion To RV Shower Heads and Water Conservation Tips

With all of these options, you can rest assured that no matter what your needs and wants are in a shower head replacement for your RV, we have the perfect one to suit them. We’ve also provided some water conservation tips to make sure you don’t waste any more precious resources than necessary! Now get out there and enjoy nature with an invigorating hot shower.

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