August 31, 2007

Shower Timers to Speed up Showering

We just got walloped by a huge electric bill. This was due in large part to a record breaking heat wave that spanned much of August. Thus, there was relatively little we could do to avoid the worst of the bill. Nonetheless, we’re constantly on the lookout for ways to improve our energy efficiency. To this end, we’re now in the market for a shower timer. You see, Son #2 and Son #3 recently graduated from baths to showers, but when they’re left to their own devices, they take forever to finish. Not only does this waste a ton of water (not a good thing, since we’re also in the midst of a severe drought) but it also runs up the electric bill (our house is fully electric). While Amazon has a nice looking hourglass shower timer, we’re more interested in getting something with an audible alarm that can jar the boys out of their shower-induced trance. Timer suggestions would be greatly appreciated, as would any other tips as to how to get little boys to shower efficiently.

Comments (scroll down to add your own):

  1. Just get a kitchen timer; it’s cheap, it clacks as it is going, and you can get ones that make a racket that you’ll hear halfway around the house.

    Comment by Blaine Moore — Aug 31st 2007 @ 8:42 am

  2. Yes, that would work, although we don’t really have anywhere to put it near the shower in either bathroom. I’d like something that the boys see when they get in the shower (waterproof, stuck to the wall) to remind them to actually use it, and to also be able to see how much time they have left.

    Comment by dad — Aug 31st 2007 @ 9:31 am

  3. When I was young and we were going through a drought where I lived, we used a timed radio - you could rock out to the music, but when the music ended, it was time to get you. Not sure if there is anything like these days, but it was effective.

    Comment by come clean — Sep 1st 2007 @ 5:01 am

  4. My dad had us do three minute showers, Navy style: Water on to get wet, water off to shampoo & soap up, water on to rinse. The idea is to have the water on less than three minute per shower. Don’t remember using a timer, but I suspect my pop sampled shower length data relatively often.

    I have added a low flow shower head with a valve to shut it off. Most of our nippers are too short to reach, but we’re ready when they are.

    I also notice a difference in shower length due to ambient temperature in the bathroom. Cold days make for longer showers (wait for water to warm, wait to get warm in the water stream, dawdle in the hot water before leaving the shower).

    Someday soon I’m going to calculate whether it is better to just warm the bathroom a few degrees to reduce this waste.

    Jeez… I sound like a thermostat fascist.

    Comment by tavo — Sep 1st 2007 @ 11:18 am

  5. What a great idea1

    Comment by Michelle at Scribbit — Sep 2nd 2007 @ 2:04 am

  6. I haven’t reached the stage yet as I still shower my kids. But I’d say setting rules for shower is important. Make clear to your kids about the time limitations. I believe some sort of timer and buzzing sound would be a good indicator for the kids to know when to stop.

    Comment by Abel — Sep 5th 2007 @ 6:57 am

  7. I’d still go with a kitchen timer, preferably one that clicks audibly every second and that has a long buzz until you turn it off. It would even be better to put it out of reach while you are in the shower in that case, if there was somewhere you could peek around the corner to see it.

    If you need it in the shower, we use the suction cup soap dishes on the side of our shower to provide instant ledges.

    Comment by Blaine Moore — Sep 6th 2007 @ 10:19 am

  8. I have the same problem, this is how I fix it. My son loves a particular tv show… well shower time just happens to ALWAYS BE ABOUT 5 MIN BEFORE THAT SHOW COMES ON ;)
    THIS MOM IS ALWAYS ABOUT REAL LIFE, IF YOU PLAY IN THE SHOWER, YOU MISS PART OF YOUR FAVORITE SHOW…AND YES, BEFORE YOU ASK..
    WE HAVE DVR.
    BUT YOU THE KIDS DONT GET TO RECORD ON THERE UNLESS IT IS A SPECIAL SHOW THAT AIRS AFTER THEY GO TO BED.
    Things always work better if you throw it back in there court!
    hope this helps! Darla

    Comment by Darla — Sep 12th 2007 @ 7:29 am

  9. These are good suggestions for me to try, also. I have an 11 yr old boy that can spend an exceptionally long time in the bathroom. He has even been known to come out without even washing his hair. He likes to sit under the faucet and play in the tub, it is not filling up! I would love to know how to stop the hot water but since that would cost more than I am willing to pay, I think the out of reach annoying timer/alarm is the best so far to try! Thanks.

    Comment by Stacy — Oct 17th 2007 @ 11:11 pm

  10. Try these products. They automatically shut off the water:

    http://showermanager.com/

    http://www.showertimer.com.au/.....rchase.htm

    These timers are cute, but just make a noise.

    http://www.watergrouppromotion.....ipple.aspx

    Here is the hour glass one. We got one of these for free today.

    http://www.usalandlord.com/shcoshti.html

    We have three typical teenage girls and showers are out of control.

    Rick Reaser

    Comment by Rick Reaser — Oct 27th 2007 @ 5:53 pm

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