When it comes to making ecosavvy choices, many of us hesitate to give up day-to-day conveniences. Why? Because we think modifying our behavior means sacrificing the things we love. I'm the first to admit that although I live in an arid state, sometimes in the morning, I linger guiltily in the hot shower. (According to the EPA, showers account for about 20 percent of indoor water use.)
The truth is that going green is as much about choosing to see the ways ecoconsciousness improves our lives as it is about trying to make the world a healthier place. Sure, my commute to work takes half an hour longer by bus than by car. But rather than getting hung up on the short comings of public transportation, I opt to focus on the money and gas I save by riding the bus. (That's not to mention the additional time to catch up on reading or Zs.)
However, making environmentally sound commitments is also about demanding better products—ones that don't make us feel like we're giving up the luxuries we love so. Luckily, some companies are leading the charge with products that incorporate Earth-saving benefits but don't slack on quality.
Enter Delta. Named by the editors of Environmental Building News as one of the top ten green building products for 2006, the company's low-flow showerheads with H2Okinetic technology promise to use 36 percent less water while maintaining the pressure (80 psi) of standard sprayers.
To screen the new tech, I recently replaced my high-pressure water-guzzler with a Delta and turned on the shower, expecting the inadequate mist epitomized by traditional low-flow fixtures. Not so. Delta blasted a dense spray of large, heat-retaining droplets with so much force and coverage I nearly forgot I was conserving a precious resource. The clincher: Delta isn't an eyesore. So, while I'm still trying to whittle down my bathing time, at least I don't have to settle for a subpar shower.