It is no secret that the price of housing and communal services is growing from year to year, and the amount of natural resources is limited, based on this, the issue of saving water is of great importance. In this article we will determine what the average shower water consumption per person should be in accordance with regulations. In addition, we will look at how to reduce consumption without compromising the comfort of use.
The most important indicators
Let’s study what specific indicators must be observed to ensure that showering is ergonomic and comfortable:
| Temperature | Few people will be able to wash in cold water, so it is fundamentally important that the temperature of the liquid is sufficient so that any person can adjust it to suit themselves. Some need 40 degrees, and for others 35 is enough, based on this, the operation of the mixer must be of high quality and precise, so that all adjustments are made as quickly and accurately as possible, since this also affects the flow rate |
| Pressure | It is impossible to ensure high-quality operation of the shower system if tight streams do not flow from the watering can. Problems with pressure can be caused by a number of factors; therefore, it is fundamentally important to conduct a thorough diagnosis of all components and, if necessary, repair or replace them |
| Constant system pressure | Very important factor, on which both the provision of constant pressure and temperature depend. There are often cases when, when you turn on additional water flow, for example, a tap, the pressure in the shower head drops, and you are showered with warm or cold water, this is not very comfortable, so the problem needs to be solved. In some cases, the only solution is to install a pump that will maintain a certain pressure |
| Consumption | It is impossible not to mention the water consumption when taking a shower, comfort does not depend on this, but the price of housing and communal services depends, especially if you have a meter installed |
Pay attention! Be sure to take into account such a nuance as the purity of the water - many operating parameters depend on this; in addition, with a huge amount of impurities, communications and the shower head become clogged from the inside, which leads to deterioration in performance or, in addition, failure of components.
Water flow and its regulation
First, let's look at the basic indicators laid down in the regulatory and technical documentation and calculate approximate consumption indicators. This will help you notice how much water is actually wasted over a given period of time.
Key indicators
To begin with, let’s determine which specific values are standard and are used when calculating indicators by most experts:
- The usual flow rate is approximately 12 liters per minute; if you have a watering can of larger diameter installed, the value can increase to 15-16 liters. These indicators are generally accepted, but in modern conditions they can be considered outdated, since through simple manipulations it is possible to significantly reduce these values and achieve significant savings.
- The average time for taking a shower, if a person is in a hurry, is 5 minutes, it is easy to calculate that during this period at least 60 liters of water are consumed, add to this the time for adjusting the temperature, and the value will be even greater.
- The question of how many liters of water is needed to take a shower without haste also requires consideration. In this case, the average time spent in the booth is approximately 15 minutes, based on this, the consumption will already be at least 180 liters, which, you see, is quite a lot.
Pay attention! Keep in mind that malfunctions of the watering can and mixer further increase the consumption; therefore, you should not use structures from which the water does not flow in tight streams, but gushes in the literal sense of the word.
Saving options
In order for the system to operate without pressure drops, to maintain a comfortable water temperature for the shower, and at the same time to ensure optimal flow, we must not forget a couple of extremely important and necessary recommendations:
- Firstly, use high-quality mixers, preferably lever ones or even thermostatic ones (this option allows you to maintain the temperature at the same level regardless of the pressure in the system and the ratio of cold and warm flow, adjustment is carried out automatically). The second solution is distinguished by a high price, but also an appropriate level of comfort.
- Secondly, choose showerheads with narrow streams and an aeration system, with them you will no longer have the question of how to expand the water pressure in the shower, since they mix the air space and supply tight streams in the showerhead, using only 8-9 liters of water in 60 seconds. There are many options on the market, but it is better to choose products from well-known manufacturers. This is the only way you are guaranteed to receive a quality product.
- Another option for reducing flow is special regulators installed in front of the watering can and consisting of a structure with a ring made of elastic material, which, when the pressure in the system changes, regulates the amount of air in the stream, thereby the pressure remains uniform for you, even during pressure surges. Apart from everything else, this unit supplies a flow rate not exceeding 8 liters per minute.
Service Features
To avoid problems with the system, all its components must be periodically maintained:
- Filter elements need to be replaced periodically, and reusable ones need to be cleaned.
- If you see that water is not coming out of some sprayers and the pressure has decreased, remove the watering can, disassemble it and dip it in a solution of vinegar and water for half an hour. After this, you can carefully remove the deposits; a narrow needle is suitable for cleaning the nozzles.
- In cases where it is not possible to remove the unit, you can do as shown in the photo - pour the vinegar solution into the bag and secure it for half an hour, after which turn on the water at full pressure.
- If we are talking about country systems with a storage tank, then the hot water intake for the shower may become clogged, the problem can be solved by removing and cleaning, the work is simple and can be done with your own hands.
We hope this little guide will help you reduce your water consumption. Remember that it is possible to turn off the shower while you scrub yourself with a washcloth or soap yourself - this also reduces water consumption.
Conclusion
Saving water not only reduces utility bills, it allows you to save natural resources, which is extremely important in modern conditions. The video in this article will tell you some serious nuances from the topic we discussed.
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Shower - technique
Exists various types shower products that not only increase the invigorating effect, but also take care of the beauty of your skin.
For example, massage with a horsehair mitt helps deeply cleanse the skin, remove dead cells and is especially recommended for hard areas (such as knees and elbows). It is necessary to first wet the glove or massage wet skin with it (immediately during the shower) with light in a circular motion so as not to cause redness in the most sensitive areas.
A sponge is an excellent tool for applying shower gel. After a shower, you can wet a sponge with cold water and wipe your breasts with it, which helps keep them firm.
The right shower gel helps relieve skin fatigue and mental stress. Plants such as mint and lavender have an excellent tonic effect and quickly relieve fatigue, giving the skin a pleasant scent. The only caveat: do not apply the gel to dry skin, but only to damp skin, or pre-mix it with water in the palm of your hand.
Shower - optimal temperature
When taking a shower, it is very important to monitor the water temperature.. Too hot water can make you feel overly relaxed and lethargic. The optimal water temperature should be around 37°C, with some exceptions. For example, to get rid of swollen legs, after taking a shower, direct a stream of cold water first to one leg, gradually raising the shower up, and then to the other.
Shower and feel great
After getting out of the shower, wrap yourself in a terry robe for a while to absorb the water, and then vigorously rub your entire body with a soft terry towel. This stimulates blood circulation in the skin, the epidermis is saturated with oxygen, and the skin color becomes pink. No better moment for applying moisturizer or special firming or. The effectiveness of the beneficial substances they contain is significantly increased due to the increased sensitivity of the skin after a shower.
Hot water in an apartment or house is no longer a luxury, but a common necessity. In our new apartment building, the hot water is sometimes not hot at all, but warm, which causes fair indignation among the residents and complaints to the Management Company. Hot water is more expensive, so it is more profitable for us to dilute it with cheaper cold water to obtain the same final temperature. But is it only worth fighting for economic gain? Let's figure out what the tap water temperature standards are based on.
The laws of many countries, including ours, establish safety standards for various services, including hot tap water.
The two main factors influencing the choice of water temperature are - bacterial growth and possible burns. These two factors act in opposite directions. On the one hand, the water temperature should be such that harmful bacteria are killed, on the other hand, the temperature of hot water should not lead to burns (especially in children's institutions and hospitals).
One of the most dangerous bacteria is Legionella. Legionella (Legionella bacteria) is a gram-negative rod measuring up to 3 microns. The natural habitat of the bacterium is fresh, warm water.
Very often, these bacteria are bred in air conditioning, heating, and humidification systems. Legionellosis is a disease of large cities in industrialized countries. The disease is very serious, leading to complications. An outbreak of Legionella pneumonia was recorded in the Middle Urals in July 2007 in Verkhnyaya Pyshma. The infection entered the apartments through the hot water supply system due to violations of the requirements for flushing pipes and draining water. More than 160 townspeople ended up in hospitals, 5 people died. Also, an outbreak of Legionella pneumonia was recorded between November 22, 2011 and May 22, 2012 among tourists vacationing at the Calp Hotel in Spain; 23 cases of Legionnaires' disease were recorded, 4 of which were fatal.
Effect of temperature on legionella bacteria
70°C - 80°C Disinfection area
66°C Legionella kills in 2 minutes
60°C Legionella kills in 32 minutes
55°C Legionella dies in 5-6 hours
20°C - 45°C Legionella multiplies rapidly
20°C and below Legionella does not reproduce
Based on the data provided, to neutralize water, it should be heated to a high temperature. However, if the tap water temperature exceeds 50°, you can get skin surface burns. At temperatures above 70 °C, a deep burn occurs.
Effect of water temperature on skin
65°C partial skin burn in 2 seconds
60°C partial skin burn in 5 seconds.
55°C partial skin burn in 15 seconds.
50°C partial skin burn in 90 seconds.
Thus, in tanks for heating and storing hot water, the temperature must be high in order to neutralize the water. At the same time, water should not be supplied to the consumer very hot, in order to prevent skin burns in case of accidental shutdown of cold water. The standards that are established for places of mass consumption of water (hotels, schools, hospitals, etc.) are approximately the following: shower 41°C, washbasin 41°C, bath 44°C. To ensure this, special thermostatic mixers are used. It should be noted, however, that most cases of legionellosis infection were observed in people who stayed in hotels.
Another option is not to use faucets, but to mix the water flowing from two taps (cold and hot) in the sink or bathtub. In this case, you can supply very hot water to the tap. Such systems can often be seen in English houses.
As a rule, in Russia, very high temperature water is supplied to residential buildings with a centralized water supply. But it is not uncommon, especially in new homes, for water pressure and temperature to decrease, which can certainly lead to the development of harmful bacteria in the pipes. Therefore, the problem with the temperature of hot water in our (and in other) houses is a serious problem that is associated not only with overpayments for housing and communal services, but also with the health of the residents of the house.
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What will help the quality of life?The quality of life always loves optimality, including the optimal temperature of the water that we drink or “meet” in the shower, bathtub, swimming pool...
But what is the optimal temperature? This question, perhaps, cannot be answered unambiguously. But, if we approach this issue comprehensively, then two factors can be called “guides” of this optimality: benefit and comfort for the body. But it is important to take into account one more point - the goal.
When does the water temperature become capricious?
Let's start the debriefing with water procedures. At first glance, everything is simple here. After all, for example, it’s no secret that small children are bathed in water adjusted to the temperature human body, i.e. the famous 36.6 ° C. The same temperature is the most optimal option for regular bathing for an adult.
But water is a master who can provide not only comfortable swimming, but also health improvement.
And here the water temperature can be quite capricious.
For example, if the body needs to relax and tune in to sweet dreams, it is recommended to take baths with a water temperature of 38-40 °C.
However, at this temperature it is important not to “overdo it”. Therefore, “exposing yourself” to such a bath for more than 5 minutes, and even with your chest completely submerged in water, is not only extremely reckless, but also dangerous for the heart and blood vessels.
But when dousing and taking a shower for the purpose of hardening, the temperature should be lowered from + 30 ° C to 15 ° C for adults, and from 34 ° C to 30 ° C for children.
Some, of course, lower this “bar” much lower. But this article is not about winter swimming, but about the optimal temperature for hardening.
Hey, everyone, get into the pool!
However, ladies and gentlemen, now let's move from the bath and shower to the pool.
If you decide to go to the pool mainly to “unload” the spine and joints, then it is better to give preference to pools with a water temperature of 26-28 ° C (for children, this “norm” is 28 -30 ° C, respectively).
But if you have signed up for water aerobics and expect it to “sharpen” your figure, then you should make sure that the pool where your classes will take place will be “friendly” with a temperature of 22-24 °C. After all, precisely this water temperature in this case belongs, as they say, to the “class” of both yours and ours, since it will be great to “provoke” active movements, but, at the same time, not force the body to “shudder.”
For a "snack"
Well, as a “snack”, of course, I would like to talk about temperature. The most ideal option is when it is also set to a temperature of 36 -37 °C. Water at this temperature not only best preserves the body’s energy, but also best protects it from the risk of gastrointestinal diseases.
The only exception to the rule that allows you to “relax” is the summer heat, which allows 22-24 °C of water in your glass.
But the temperature of water with a higher temperature should ideally be set not for “every” day, but only, for example, for specific courses of mineral treatment and, for example, for diseases accompanied by high acidity of gastric juice.
