Save gas/electricity when using shower

I bought a shower cut-off valve about 5 months ago.

Its a chrome 1" device that fits between your existing showerhead and the water pipe. It allows you to turn off the water at the showerhead, temporarily while you shampoo or lather up. It saves an estimated 5-10 gallons per minute of water while you have it turned off. It has a simple handle that you just turn when you want the water to stop.



I noticed an immediate savings on my gas bill. I tend to take long showers. I timed it and I leave the water off for about 2 minutes of each shower. It is harder to do now that it's cold, but I still manage to save water. This is heated water, so you save on gas/electricity as well as water.

It does cause a bit more water to come out of the faucet when in use, but overall it greatly decreases the amount of heated water used.

I looked at my local hardware stores and couldn't find one. I did find one at the following link. It was the only place I found it.

http://www.accentshopping.com/store/bathandkitchen/showerheads/E8.asp

It's going to cost you around $15.00 (that includes shipping). With gas prices at record highs, it will pay for itself in about 2-3 months.

[Lostsoul33]

Re: Save gas/electricity when using shower

Looks like a great idea but this would never work for me. I can just picture myself shivering while I wash my hair. One of my luxuries is my hot showers and that's something that I refuse to give up.
However, I'm sure there are others out there who might be interested in something like this.

[cercis]

Re: Save gas/electricity when using shower

I'm with Lostsoul. I won't even take a shower with DH because any time I get out of the water I turn into a massive goosebump and shiver so hard I almost fall down (the only exception is when the house is above 75F).

[Fern]

Re: Save gas/electricity when using shower

Why spend the money on the gadget when you can just turn the water off yourself?

[cercis]

Re: Save gas/electricity when using shower

Fern - I think this gadget allows you to keep your temp settings in place. Part of the problem with turning off the water is that you then waste water and time trying to get it to where it isn't either too hot or too cold.

Re: Save gas/electricity when using shower

Fern- the gadget keeps you from bending over for one, makes it more likely that you actually will turn it off, & keep you from having to readjust the temperature everytime.

It basically makes it easy for you to do and thus more likely to turn the water off in my opinion.