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Shower Statistics Australia: Usage, Trends & Growth

  • Blog
  • 28 - 10 - 2024
  • By Jude Saad

Harvard Health reveals that 80% of Australians shower daily. Besides being healthier, showering is essential to eliminating body odour, grime, and sweat, especially after an intense workout. Neglecting such a routine may harm your personal and work relationships due to poor hygiene!

While it’s a cleaning habit, frequent showering may drain enormous water volume. You might also habitually take longer showers daily. Read on to learn about key statistics on shower usage, including water consumption and usage frequency, shaping modern bathroom trends in Australia.

Shower Water Usage in Australian Homes

While Australia’s average household size is 2.59, a bigger family is likely to catapult shower water usage at home. Frequent showering is crucial to maintaining pristine body hygiene, though it drains enormous amounts of clean freshwater into the sewer. Let’s learn more about this.

Average Water Usage Per Shower

A typical Australian household’s daily water usage for a shower is about 200 litres of water. What factors could affect this? Household water use can surge depending on the showerhead type and how long you use it.

For example, a standard showerhead expels roughly 15 litres per minute (LPM). An Aussie’s cold shower could last about seven minutes, generating 105 litres of water. That means a 10-minute shower consumes 150 litres that can fill two large bathtubs daily! 

Options like modern water-saving showers use less than nine LPM. So, a seven-minute shower only uses 63 litres, down by 40% compared to an older shower model. These water-efficient showerheads feel like you’re standing under a weak drizzle to freshen up before your daily grind.

Annual Household Water Consumption from Showers

A single household consumes about 175,000 litres of water annually in Australia. Although that’s not all coming from the shower drain alone. To expound these in numbers, a family of four using an old showerhead can generate roughly 400 litres of water daily. 

Simply put, that’s equivalent to 144,000 litres of water used from consistent showering annually, enough to fill roughly 960 standard bathtubs. This figure could be higher or lower, depending on your household size, showerhead type or model, and daily shower duration.

Impact of Long Showers on Water Bills

Households paid an average of $3.43 per kilolitre of water across most states in 2020-21. Let’s say your shower uses about 12,000 litres monthly. That’s roughly over $40 added to the water bill, which can still increase if you have long shower routines. The bad news is that water prices can spike due to the extremely dry seasons and water shortages across Australia.

Frequency of Shower Use in Australia

So, how frequently do you take a shower? The World Population Review reported that Aussies take an average of eight showers weekly. While most households prefer cold showers, this often lasts 7.2-8.02 minutes for most age groups in varied household settings.

Research on shower habits also uncovered that Australians prefer showers at 7-8 am and turn the shower on for 15 seconds before it hits the desired temperature. While nearly a quarter of the population showers twice daily, once is enough for most people.

Trends in Shower Installation and Renovations

Alongside bathrooms’ aesthetic and elegant appeal, the trend for modern shower installations is shifting towards innovative, water-saving options. This trend fits into the country’s water crisis due to longer droughts. That’s fair, as no one wants their shower interrupted halfway through!

However, that should not prevent you from investing in modern shower designs to create luxurious, spa-like retreats. The HIA projected about 407,900 new bathroom installations in 2023-24, likely up 9% to 446,100 by 2026-27 across Australia.

Explore how shower installations and renovation trends match modern Australian homes.

Popular Shower Features in Modern Homes

Newer shower looks and designs are as diverse as they are innovative, enhancing comfort and style. Here are some prominent shower features that suit your modern homes:

  • Rain Shower: This offers a luxurious, immersive shower experience with its gentle, cascading water, reshaping your cleansing routine into a serene spa-like retreat.
  • Frameless Shower Screen: This screen features a minimalistic, seamless design that creates a sense of spaciousness and openness in the shower enclosure. It’s appealing for those opting for a clean, uncluttered look in their bathrooms.
  • Multi-jet Showerheads: These versatile fixtures provide a personalised shower experience with various water settings, such as pulsating, massaging, or rainfall.

Eco-Friendly Shower Installations

Eco-friendly shower installations never go out of style and demand. One key example is using water-efficient showerheads, a cost-effective option that cuts water use without compromising performance. These efficient fixtures provide powerful spray while using significantly less water.

Aside from showerheads, the growing trend for eco-friendly shower installations incorporates sustainable materials and practices. This ranges from using recycled or low-VOC materials to energy-efficient lighting and ventilation systems. Opting for these eco-conscious solutions is key to creating a more sustainable, beautiful, and functional shower space.

The Environmental Impact of Showers

How much water volume can you waste from inefficient showers? An inefficient shower uses between 15 and 25 litres of water every minute, equivalent to roughly 105-175 litres flushed in the sewers after a seven-minute shower. That’s likely to increase as you take longer showers.

Another reason for water loss is old plumbing, where leaks likely expel more water down the drain. Fixing this issue by fitting a water-saving showerhead can take as little as five minutes. Upgrading to a WELS 5-star shower uses 4.5 litres every minute, which enables a two-person household to save $160 on water and energy bills annually.

In other words, eco-friendly showerheads with high star ratings can effectively reduce household water bills. For example, a family of four using a 3-star shower at 9 LPM can save 70 kilolitres and $210 yearly on water bills. 

Meanwhile, a 5-star shower at 6 LPM for a similar family size can save 105 kilolitres or $315 on water bills annually. With these water-saving showerheads, you can also save on energy bills, as less water needs to be heated every time you shower. 

Common Shower-Related Plumbing Issues in Australia

While most Australians get up and shower to wake themselves up, you’re likely not alone in encountering shower-related plumbing issues at home. Common block roads in your shower spaces include:

  • Leaking Showerheads: More than a minor annoyance, leaking showerheads drive water waste and utility bills. Once neglected, it can gradually discharge gallons of water down the drain, contributing to unnecessary expenses and wastewater issues.
  • Blocked Shower Drains: About 13.4% of water-related damages in Australian homes are due to clogged shower drains, often caused by hair, soap scum, and other debris. 
  • Shower Pressure Issues: While low water pressure makes it difficult to rinse thoroughly, high shower pressure can prick or damage your skin. This requires plumbing services to fix its causes, such as clogged pipes, faulty valves, or worn water pressure regulators.

How Link Plumbing Supports Shower Maintenance & Installation

Link Plumbing brings over three decades of industry experience, ensuring exceptional service. We provide top-notch plumbing services across North-west Sydney. Here’s how we can support your shower maintenance & installation:

Shower Installation Services

At Link Plumbing, we’re more than plumbers; we specialise in installing a wide range of showerheads to suit your unique styles and needs. We use only the highest-quality materials to ensure superior results for your shower renovations.

Shower Maintenance and Repairs

We offer comprehensive shower maintenance and repairs 24/7. Our highly skilled plumbers detect leaks, clean blocked drains and sewers, and repair faulty water systems to keep your shower experience at its best. We deliver prompt, reliable service so you can enjoy an immersive shower routine without hassles!

Water-Efficient Plumbing Solutions

Link Plumbing commits to responsible plumbing practices. We custom-fit water-saving showerheads and optimise water pressure to ensure maximum efficiency. We deliver eco-friendly shower solutions so you can conserve water and reduce utility bills.

Frequently Asked Questions 

How much water does an average shower use in Australia?

According to Local Search, a typical Australian household uses 200 litres of water daily for showers alone. However, this figure varies between standard and water-saving showerheads. A standard shower (at 15 LPM) uses 105 litres of water for a seven-minute shower, while a water-saving type (at 7 LPM) only uses half without compromising performance.

What are the most common shower problems in Australian homes?

Most Australian homes frequently encounter shower-related plumbing problems. One example is leaking showerheads, often caused by deteriorating old showers. Another issue is clogged shower drains due to hair, soap scum, and other debris buildup. Inconsistent water pressure is also challenging, making showering less enjoyable and relaxing.

How can I reduce water usage in my shower?

One simple step to reduce water usage is taking shorter showers. Although that can compromise your shower experience, opt for water-saving showerheads that use less water yet deliver exceptional cleansing results. Address any shower leaks to cut household water usage optimally.

What are the benefits of installing a water-saving showerhead?

Water-saving showerheads are a cost-effective solution to reducing water bills. These fixtures reduce water flow without compromising results, conserving water, which is crucial given the country’s sparse water reserves and water restrictions. Lower water consumption also means less water to drain and heat, saving you money in the long run.

How often should I replace my showerhead?

Showerheads lifespan varies depending on the water quality, usage, and maintenance. While it can last for 5-10 years, replacement is necessary when you notice reduced water pressure, frequent leaks, mineral buildup, or outdated to minimise water use.

Get Link Plumbing For Your Shower Upgrade Needs

Understanding shower usage is key to adapting to evolving bathroom renovation trends. Beyond aesthetics and functions, eco-friendly shower upgrades can significantly lower water bills, promoting sustainable practices even when taking daily showers! 

At Link Plumbing, we’re industry experts in water-efficient and eco-friendly plumbing solutions. We deliver superior craftsmanship in shower installation, maintenance, and renovation. Call us at 0412 056 027 to schedule a consultation or get $50 off when you book online with us. 

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