Are Showers or Baths More Water Efficient for Modern Homes?

Many Portland, OR, homeowners are rethinking how much water their bathrooms use. Given rising utility costs and growing interest in more sustainable homes, it’s natural to ask a simple question: are showers or bathtubs more water-efficient? 

How Much Water Does a Shower Use?

A shower can be very efficient or surprisingly wasteful, depending on how long it runs and what kind of showerhead you have. Most modern showerheads fall into a range of flow rates, measured in gallons per minute (GPM):

• Many older or standard showerheads use around 2.5 GPM

• Many water-saving or low-flow showerheads use closer to 1.5 to 2.0 GPM

A quick example shows how this adds up.

Imagine a 10-minute shower with a higher-flow showerhead at about 2.5 GPM:

• 10 minutes × 2.5 GPM ≈ 25 gallons of water

Now compare that to a 10-minute shower with a more efficient showerhead at about 1.8 GPM:

• 10 minutes × 1.8 GPM ≈ 18 gallons of water

That is about a 7-gallon difference per shower. Over time, the impact grows:

• 7 gallons saved × 7 showers per week ≈ 49 gallons per week

• 49 gallons per week × 52 weeks ≈ more than 2,500 gallons per year

Actual household usage will vary based on:

• How long people stay in the shower

• The true flow rate of the showerhead

• How many showers are taken in a day or week

How Much Water Does a Bath Use?

Standard bathtubs are designed to hold a certain amount of water when filled to the overflow drain. In many homes, a typical bathtub holds roughly 40 to 60 gallons at that level, though most people don’t fill it completely.

Consider two common fill levels:

• Halfway full: If a bathtub that holds 50 gallons at the overflow is filled halfway, that’s about 25 gallons.

• Three-quarters full: A bathtub filled to three-quarters capacity would use approximately 37-38 gallons.

Comparing this to the earlier shower example:

• A 10-minute shower with a 2.5 GPM showerhead uses about 25 gallons.

• A bathtub filled halfway, in this example, also uses around 25 gallons.

That means a moderate shower and a partially filled bath can sometimes use similar amounts of water, while a deep bath or very long shower can quickly surpass that.

Shower vs. Bathtub: Which Option Uses Less Water Overall?

There’s no single answer that fits every home, but you can make an educated guess by looking at realistic numbers for your household.

A Simple Side-by-Side Comparison

Here is a narrative way to compare showers and baths using two common situations.

A family that mostly takes 10- to 12-minute showers: 

• Suppose the family uses a mix of higher-flow showerheads around 2.5 GPM and more efficient ones around 2.0 GPM.

• A 10-minute shower at 2.5 GPM uses about 25 gallons, while a 10-minute shower at 2.0 GPM uses about 20 gallons.

• If showers stay in that range and baths are rare, showers are typically the more water-efficient daily choice.

A household that prefers frequent, deep baths: 

• If users regularly fill a larger bathtub near the overflow line, it may use 50 gallons or more per bath.

• Taking several deep baths per week can quickly outpace the water used in shorter, lower-flow showers.

To estimate annual water use, you can use a simple formula:

• Approximate gallons per shower or bath × number of uses per week × 52 weeks

For example, if someone takes 7 showers per week, each using 20 gallons:

• 20 gallons × 7 × 52 ≈ 7,280 gallons per year

If another person takes 3 baths per week at about 40 gallons each:

• 40 gallons × 3 × 52 ≈ 6,240 gallons per year

In this example, the person who takes fewer but deeper baths uses a similar range of water annually to someone who showers daily. Adjusting the lengths and fill levels can tilt the balance either way.

How a Modern Bathroom Remodel Can Support Water Savings

For some households, small habit changes are enough. For others, older shower or bathtub layouts make it hard to use water efficiently. In those cases, a targeted wet-area remodel can help align your bathroom with your water-use goals.

Modern showerheads are designed for water efficiency, delivering a satisfying spray with reduced gallons per minute. Choosing the right fixture to match your household's showering habits can significantly lower water use. Practical shower design also plays a role:

• Walk-in shower layouts encourage shorter shower times, as their easy accessibility and streamlined setup often discourage lingering under the water.

• Smart storage and built-in shelving prevent time wasted adjusting items, keeping the water from running unnecessarily.

How Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Portland Can Help

Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Portland serves homeowners ready to rethink their bathroom wet area, with water use, comfort, and style in mind.

Our locally operated team offers:

• Expert installation of Jacuzzi® bathtubs, showers, and wall systems

• Options that include walk-in showers, bathtub replacement, and focused wet-area remodels

• Tub-to-shower conversions that replace a little-used bathtub with a practical, everyday shower

• Bathtub and shower installations that can be completed in as little as one day 

As an authorized Jacuzzi® dealer, our team installs genuine Jacuzzi® bathtubs, showers, and wall systems. For more than seven decades, the Jacuzzi® brand has been a leader in bathing innovation, dedicated to creating comfortable bathing experiences. Our projects are completed by local, trained professionals specializing in bathroom wet-area renovations. 

Prospective customers can see customer reviews from other Portland-area homeowners and browse our bath design and before-and-after galleries for inspiration and ideas.

Achieve a More Water-Efficient Bathroom in Portland

Thoughtfully designed showers often use less water than deep baths, especially when paired with efficient fixtures and smart daily habits. The best solution, however, always depends on your home, your routines, and how you like to use your bathroom.

A modern wet-area remodel can deliver water savings, comfort, and style in a single project, whether it involves a new walk-in shower, an upgraded bathtub, or a tub-to-shower conversion. If you’re ready to explore what’s possible for your bathroom, schedule your free consultation and find out how a new Jacuzzi® shower or bathtub could be installed in as little as one day.

Upgrade Your Bathroom with a Jacuzzi® Shower – Backed by a Limited Lifetime Warranty

Investing in a new shower should bring peace of mind, and at Jacuzzi Bath Remodel of Portland, we make sure it does. Every Jacuzzi® shower we install is backed by a limited lifetime warranty, ensuring lasting durability, superior craftsmanship, and a luxurious bathing experience for years to come.

As Portland’s trusted shower remodeling specialists, we take pride in delivering high-quality products with expert installation, so you can enjoy your new shower worry-free. Ready to transform your bathroom? Contact us today to schedule your free design consultation!