High Sierra Showerheads
What is it?
High Sierra is a California-based company that reinvented showerhead nozzle technology to reduce the flow rate of water without sacrificing water pressure. High Sierra showerheads create a high-pressure mist with large water droplets for showering and rinsing hair. The high-pressure mist replicates the feeling of a high-flow rates showerhead, while reducing water and energy use by 40% when compared with traditional showerheads, helping consumers save money on their utility bills.
How Does It Work
High Sierra Showerheads use FCS™ Technology that uses a single orifice and diapgragm to mechanically break up the stream into a controlled shower of large, soft droplets for a 1.5 gallons per minute (gpm) low flow.
The water enters the showerhead through a self-adjusting single-hole, conically-shaped pressure regulator to maintain a constant 1.5 to 1.8 gpm flow with pressures between 30 and 80 psi.
Water use is reduced by 40%, compared with traditional low flow showerheads. The showerhead also aims to reduce shower times by producing a high pressure mist.
Target Markets
High Sierra Showerheads are marketed toward a variety of residential and commercial applications, including homes, hotels, corrections facilities, college dormitories, outdoor/public use, marine vehicles, and RVs. Over 300 models and 4 finishes offer a variety of functional and aesthetic showerhead choices and accessories allow customers to tailor their experience to their needs and taste, from minimalistic to luxury style with a variety of colors to match interior décor. High Sierra offers both fixed and handheld designs, and even offer a reflective mirror-like showerhead for those that like to shave or remove makeup in the shower. Flow rates are offered at 1.5 and 1.8 gpm designs, with the 1.8 gpm design recommended for shower arms over 6.5 feet from the floor.
Benefits for Tulare
Drought Resilience
HighSierra Showerheads’ primary benefit for Tulare County is the water savings potential associated with the new technology. High Sierra showerheads produce a consistent flow of either 1.5 or 1.8 gpm, reducing water use by up to 40% over traditional 2.5 gpm showerheads. High Sierra showerheads avoid a common issue with low flow showerheads in which reducing flow leads to longer shower times, because the design produces larger droplets which are as effective at removing soap and shampoo as high-volume, high-pressure showerheads. The average household could save 2,900 gallons per year.
Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions
By reducing the amount of hot water used and reducing the time spent in the shower the HighSierra Showerheads can significantly impact a home or facility’s carbon footprint by reducing the amount of water heating related energy used. In addition, the low-material cost 2.5”x1” design reduces manufacturing end footprint. When multiplied by the thousands of showers used every day in Tulare County, the greenhouse gas emission reduction connected to water savings and manufacturing could become significant.
Reduces Ratepayer Costs
High Sierra showerheads range in price from under $40 to over $200, plus any accessories. Most models are able to pay for themselves within three months of installation by reducing both a household’s water and energy bills by 40%. The life of the showerhead is also extended due to the self-cleaning, non-plugging FCS™ technology, making it a very cost-effective showerhead for consumers.
Electric Reliability
High Sierra showerheads use 40% less water, reducing energy used to heat the water by the same percentage. The average family could save more than 370 kWh of electricity per year, enough to power a house for 13 days. The non-plugging design prevents reduction in efficiency over time. The showerheads are also designed to use less material, minimizing the energy required to manufacture each unit.
Regulatory, Environmental and Public Health Impacts
EPA WaterSense Certified. All products that bear the WaterSense label must be independently certified to ensure they meet EPA water efficiency and performance standards. WaterSense Certified showerheads must use less than 2.0 gpm while providing a satisfactory shower that is equal to or better than conventional showerheads on the market, according to criteria that the EPA developed for water coverage and spray intensity.
California Water Appliance Restrictions. California’s Governor Jerry Brown, created a number of water restrictions as part of the Executive Order issued on April 1st, 2015 due to severe drought. As part of the order, the California Energy Commission adopted emergency regulations requiring increased water appliance efficiencies. Included was a restriction on newly manufactured showerheads past July 1st, 2018 have a maximum rate of 1.8 gallons per minute (gpm).
Buy American Provisions. The Recovery Act of 2009 included provisions directing that no Recovery Act funds may be used for a project for the construction, alteration, maintenance, or repair of a public building or public work unless all of the iron, steel, and manufactured goods used in the project are produced or manufactured in the United States. As a manufactured good that only uses materials produced or manufactured in America, High Sierra Showerheads® are eligible for Recovery Act funds.
Bacteria. The self-draining design and metal materials of High Sierra showerheads prevent bacterial buildup within the unit.