Water is the most vital resource on the planet. It is also one of the most vulnerable. According to a 2025 report from the World Health Organization and UNICEF, around 2.1 billion people worldwide still lack access to safely managed drinking water. When it comes to baths vs showers, small daily choices in the bathroom can add up to a real difference for the planet. Water scarcity also has a significant impact on the plants and animals that we not only share our planet with, but which we rely upon for our own survival. Can switching from a bath to a shower really make a difference? Let’s take a look.
We’re taught in school that water is a resource locked in an infinite, natural recycling mechanism. This can often make water feel like something that, whilst it shouldn’t be wasted, has a minimal impact on issues such as climate change. However, statistics show the opposite. Supplying, treating, and heating water for household use accounts for around 6% of UK greenhouse gas emissions, with the energy needed to heat that water responsible for the majority of this footprint.
Water management is one of the areas that usually requires radical changes to habits in order to improve. However, there are a few practical changes that can be made. These include investing in an ecologically-responsible dishwasher, fixing dripping taps promptly, or switching to a shower.
There are several reasons why showers may help to reduce your carbon footprint. The first involves the amount of water used. An average bath contains around 80 litres of water, while a standard showerhead delivers water at a rate of around 10-15 litres per minute.
Working out which one is using less energy, therefore, becomes a question of how much time is spent in it. However, research shows that the average household uses significantly less water and energy when they shower rather than bathe. This is partly because showers often heat the water more efficiently than boilers, and partly because their efficiency means that people spend less time in them.
A great way is to explore the different types of shower and showerhead available. For example, water-reducing showerheads regulate the flow, control the spray pattern, and aerate the water, which can replicate a traditional shower experience while using 60% less water.
If you want to find out whether a water-reducing showerhead could cut your water usage, Save Water Save Money recommends a simple test: unscrew your existing showerhead, hold the hose over a measuring jug, and let it run for one minute. If you collect more than 9 litres, you’d likely benefit from switching to a water-efficient showerhead.
Ultimately, the debate over baths vs showers comes down to small, consistent choices that add up over time. At Advanced Showers, we are committed to playing our part in the global shift towards environmental responsibility. To find out more about ways that you can join in, have a chat with one of our sales advisers today.
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