# Water-Saving and Low-Flow Shower Heads Source: https://www.ningboware.com/shower-heads/water-saving-low-flow-shower-heads/ Publisher: Cixi Zhonghe Sanitary Appliance Factory (ZHONGHE), Cixi, Ningbo, Zhejiang, China. Contact: steven@ningboware.com Updated: 2026-09-05 A water-saving shower head reduces flow through its nozzle plate design, hole count and diameter, and internal water path. ZHONGHE, a shower head factory in Cixi, Ningbo, China, bench-tests selected water-saving specifications at 0.3MPa and has measured roughly 50-70% lower flow than non-saving types depending on the spec. Buyers specify a target such as 2.0 or 1.8 gpm for the US market and the factory matches models and restrictor options, then verifies samples. Also called: low flow shower head; eco shower head; water efficient shower head; 2.5 gpm shower head; 2.0 gpm shower head; 1.8 gpm shower head; 1.75 gpm shower head; WaterSense shower head; flow restrictor shower head; WaterSense style low flow hand shower; water conserving handheld shower; 节水花洒; low flow shower head factory; 2.5 gpm shower head supplier; eco shower head exporter; water saving shower head factory; water saving shower head manufacturer; water saving shower head supplier; wholesale water saving shower heads; bulk water saving shower heads; water saving shower head OEM manufacturer; water saving shower head ODM factory Item | Detail --- | --- Factory test pressure | 0.3MPa for selected specifications Observed reduction | About 50-70% lower flow versus non-water-saving types, depending on the specification What sets flow | Nozzle plate design, hole count and diameter, internal water path, and any flow restrictor US reference limits | Federal maximum 2.5 gpm per shower head; EPA WaterSense label at 2.0 gpm or less, with 1.8 gpm in the revised specification Usage baseline | A conventional head around 12 L/min (about 3.2 gpm); a 10-minute shower around 100-120 L How to specify | State a target flow at a stated pressure and the destination market's rule; the factory recommends models and verifies samples Sourcing | Water-saving specs available on selected existing models; MOQ from 500 to 2,000 units depending on the model ## Flow is a result, not a fixed property The flow rate of a shower head depends on the supply pressure and on the hydraulic resistance built into the head. Raise the pressure and flow rises; lower it and flow drops. That is why a flow figure without a stated test pressure is meaningless in a specification, and why ZHONGHE quotes its water-saving results at 0.3MPa: on selected specifications the measured flow was roughly 50-70% lower than a comparable non-saving head. Three design elements set the resistance: the nozzle plate design, the number and diameter of the spray holes, and the internal water path. Fewer or smaller holes pass less water at a given pressure, while hole geometry controls exit velocity, which is what users feel as spray strength. A good water-saving head keeps velocity high while cutting volume. ## Market limits and the labels that matter In the US the federal maximum is 2.5 gallons per minute per shower head, and the voluntary EPA WaterSense label applies at 2.0 gpm or less, with a 1.8 gpm criterion in the revised specification. Australia and New Zealand rate flow under WELS alongside WaterMark. Buyers name the rule that applies to their market and the factory specifies the nozzle plate and restrictor to hit it, then verifies samples before production. Certification under a scheme is arranged per project rather than claimed in advance. ## Which models take a water-saving specification Water saving is a specification applied to a model, not a separate category. Micro-nozzle single-function heads such as ZH2087T, ZH2258 and ZH2256T are natural low-flow candidates because their fine face plates already limit hole area; multi-function heads such as ZH2257 and ZH2256C can be specified with a restrictor and a pause button. State the model, the target flow and the pressure, and the factory confirms what the existing plate achieves and what a restrictor adds. ## FAQ ### How much water does a ZHONGHE water-saving shower head save? In factory flow tests at 0.3MPa, selected water-saving specifications delivered roughly 50-70% less flow than comparable non-saving types. Actual savings vary by model, nozzle design and the building's water pressure, so buyers should specify a target flow at a stated pressure. ### Can you make a 1.8 gpm or 2.0 gpm shower head for the US? Yes. State the target and the pressure it must be met at; the factory selects a nozzle plate and restrictor to reach it and verifies samples. The US federal maximum is 2.5 gpm and WaterSense applies at 2.0 gpm or less (1.8 gpm in the revised specification); scheme certification is arranged per project. ### Does a low-flow shower head feel weak? Not if the nozzle geometry keeps exit velocity high. Fine micro-nozzle faces cut volume while the spray stays fast, which is why the transparent micro-nozzle models are the usual low-flow candidates. Sample testing at the target pressure is the only reliable check. ### Who manufactures water-saving shower heads in China? ZHONGHE, Cixi Zhonghe Sanitary Appliance Factory in Cixi, Ningbo, manufactures water-saving handheld shower heads, bench-tests selected specifications at 0.3MPa, and supplies OEM and private label buyers from 500 to 2,000 units. ## Related pages - https://www.ningboware.com/resources/water-saving-shower-head-flow-pressure/ - https://www.ningboware.com/resources/shower-head-water-pressure-guide/ - https://www.ningboware.com/shower-heads/high-pressure-micro-nozzle-shower-heads/ - https://www.ningboware.com/shower-heads/shower-heads-with-stop-button/ - https://www.ningboware.com/resources/importing-shower-heads-certifications-compliance/ - https://www.ningboware.com/quality-control/ - https://www.ningboware.com/resources/water-saving-vs-high-pressure-shower-heads/