Local utilities want to “Empower Your Shower”

Puget Sound Energy (PSE), Snohomish County Public Utility District (PUD), Tacoma Public Utilities and Cascade Natural Gas launched a joint effort to help area homeowners save energy and water by offering free, high-efficiency showerheads and bathroom faucet aerators.

The program, known as “Empower Your Shower,” will offer the efficient showerheads and aerators to single-family residential households of the four utilities beginning today and continuing as long as supplies last.

“With these free, efficient showerheads, our customers can better manage their energy and water use, save money and help protect the environment,” said Cal Shirley, vice president of energy efficiency services for PSE, noting that surveys of participants in previous showerhead giveaways found the overwhelming majority were highly satisfied with the efficient models.

“High-efficiency showerheads help homeowners by reducing both their water and energy consumption,” said Mary Smith, PUD senior manager of conservation. “They can cut the energy needed to heat showers by as much as 20 percent.”

As a provider of both water and electric service, Tacoma Public Utilities sees the showerhead program as a vital tool for its customers.

“The average home uses between 80 and 100 gallons of water per person each day,” said Dan Muir, Tacoma Public Utilities water conservation program specialist. “An efficient showerhead will reduce water, sewer and energy costs.”

With many homes using natural gas water heaters, Lisa Espinosa, Director of Conservation for Cascade Natural Gas Corporation believes its customers will find the new showerheads have a real impact. “Water heating is one of the primary uses of natural gas,” Lisa Espinosa said. “These efficient showerheads will reduce that demand, but still give homeowners the comfort they want.”

These efficient, high-performance showerheads offered by the “Empower Your Shower” program provide a flow of 2.0 gallons per minute (gpm), while older less-efficient models may use from 2.3 to 5 gpm. Customers will be able to obtain them by visiting www.showerheadprogram.com or by calling 1-888-404-8773.

In addition to the showerhead and aerator, participants also will receive information on other easy energy- and water-saving steps, such as:

• Set the water heater thermostat to 120 degrees or the “low” setting.

• Keep your shower under five minutes.

• Showers generally use less hot water than baths.

• Limit the water running when brushing teeth, shaving or washing dishes.

• Run dishwashers and clothes washers with full loads only.

• Find and fix toilet and faucet leaks right away.

• Water your lawn, including rainfall, at the rate of one inch per week.

Customers will receive their free showerhead, aerator and energy-saving tips through the mail approximately four to six weeks after their request is made. Each customer is eligible for one free showerhead and aerator kit. Combined, the four participating utilities serve 871,950 single-family households in Western Washington.