Baths Vs. Showers: Which is More Green?

Which action uses less water- taking a bath, or taking a shower? If you answered “taking a shower,” you’re correct and you’re agreeing with just about every environmental advice column I’ve ever read. But if you answered “taking a bath,” you could be correct too.

When I recently read a tip on a green blog that stated that showers are always a better earth-friendly option than baths, a warning bell went off in my head. I realized that while the tip makes sense on the surface, it isn’t necessarily true all the time. First of all, some shower heads are more water efficient than others. And at some point, any shower that is running for long enough is going to use more water than a bath would. So how short of a shower do you have to take to use less water than a bath? I decided to find out for myself.

To calculate how long it takes for my shower to overtake the amount of water used for my bath, I used a simple test. I started my shower as usual, but instead of letting the water drain away I plugged the bathtub so that the shower would fill it. At the same moment I put the plug in, I also activated a stopwatch. Then, I timed how long it took for the water from the shower to fill the bathtub to the level I would normally take a bath at (Of course, I used the time to wash up as I normally would- I wouldn’t waste that much water just for a test!).

The result: it took 13 minutes for my shower to fill my tub. In other words, if I shower for less than 13 minutes, it uses less water than a bath. But if I take longer than 13 minutes, a bath is actually the greener choice. Since my showers usually run around 10 minutes, it is true that for me a shower is generally the better option. But on days when I decide to shave my legs or deep-condition my hair, I should consider using the bathtub instead.

In most cases, taking a shower probably is preferable to a bath, and shorter showers are always better than longer ones for water conservation. But not all of us have mastered the art of a short shower; for some, such as people with physical disabilities, a short shower might even be impossible. Rather than feeling guilty for being a water hog or giving up on green altogether, find out which option is more earth-friendly for you. Even small steps count. Since all showerheads are different and your area’s water pressure is probably different than mine too, I would suggest performing my simple test on your own shower, or devise your own test.

While it’s great that there are now so many environmentalist websites and blogs out there offering green tips, it’s important to remember a couple of things. First, don’t always take their word for it. Find out for yourself. And second, not all environmentally friendly actions make sense for everyone. Take the ones you can use and don’t feel guilty if you can’t do the rest. You don’t have to save the earth all by yourself.

Here are my own (hopefully) practical tips for saving water in the bathroom:

1. Take shorter showers if you can.
2. If you can afford it, install a low-flow showerhead. You can find them online or at most home improvement stores. Installation is usually simple.
3. If you can’t find or afford a good low-flow showerhead, try one that has a drip setting to use less water while you’re soaping up. This is the option I use. It only cost about $20 and I was even able to install it in my apartment.
4. Shower with a partner! As silly as it sounds, two people sharing a shower uses less water than two separate showers. And it can also be a great way for you and your significant other to share some “personal” time.
5. If you’re brave (or crazy), try a cold shower. I doesn’t use energy to heat the water, and cold showers tend to be shorter (I wonder why?).
6. If you know that your shower is going to be super long, opt for a bath instead.
7. When you do take a bath, you don’t always have to fill the tub all the way.
8. Don’t flush the toilet if you don’t have to. It drives me nuts when my husband blows his nose and then tosses the tissue in the toilet and flushes. It’s a huge waste of water for a silly tissue.
9. And finally (and most obviously), don’t leave the water running when you shave or brush your teeth.