Ladybug saves you hot water in the shower

Erik Blachford | November 10, 2008

What has your rubber ducky done for you lately?

I’ve never had to wait for hot water. For my morning shower, I was always able to stand there with a hand in the stream until it was warm before hop in. Elapsed time — maybe 30 seconds. As a consequence, I hadn’t ever considered using one of the little ladybug shower adaptors we sell in the store.

But two weeks ago we moved into a new rental house, and on that first morning, as I waited, and waited, and waited some more for the water to warm up in the shower, I suddenly understood. I was about to become one of those people who turns the shower on, heads downstairs to put on the coffee, then pads back upstairs to a shower filled with steam. Um, not really the best way to use the hot water tank, right?

So I bought a ladybug and installed it myself without needing any tools. Now I turn the shower on, head downstairs to put on the coffee, then pad back upstairs to a shower that isn’t on, not until I pull the little handle on the adaptor. Then it starts right back up, with no hot water wasted.

It’s coming up on the holidays, so I suppose I should be writing about a gift item, but frankly, I’m not so sure this is the kind of thing anyone gives as a gift (sorry, Pete, just being honest). But it sure is an easy way to save hot water and the energy that went into getting its temperature up (to save even more energy I will eventually install a solar water heater like the one Erin has).

At $29.95, it’s supposed to save up to $75/year in electricity, but obviously your mileage will vary, dependent I suppose on just how much you wander your house right now as your shower heats up. I just assume I’ll use it for years, because I like saving the power and carbon, and that at some point it will pay for itself financially.

If anyone else has good suggestions for saving hot water, whether in the shower or elsewhere in the house, we’re all ears. Just post in the comments below.

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Comments

1. By Keith on November 11, 2008 5:52 AM

The Ladybug sounds like a great idea -- I may have to get one. I recently installed very inexpensive faucet aerators with an on/of switch (made by Danco, can be found on Amazon) on my kitchen and bathroom sinks. These are really handy and allow you to shut off the flow of water with the back of your hand when you are doing dishes or cleaning up. A very simple device that helps save a little hot (or cold) water.

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2. By landsnark on November 12, 2008 8:33 AM

Does the switch on the Ladybug allow the user to turn off the water temporarily (for example, to apply shaving cream, etc) and back on again? Not knowing the answer to this is why I haven't bought 2 for my house yet; I've been looking for something that would let me pause the shower without having to readjust the hot & cold taps (old house).

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3. By Ariel on November 12, 2008 8:49 AM

Can the ladybug be used with the Roadrunner Low-Flow Showerhead (purchased from TerraPass)?? I would also like to know if the ladybug allows you go pause the shower, as I was disappointed that the Roadrunner did not allow you to do this.

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4. By Heidi on November 12, 2008 9:42 AM

How about collecting the water with a bucket?

While this is interesting and possibly a tool I will purchase, I have cheap buckets from Walmart in each bathroom and collect the water while warming up and use it for the dogs' water dishes (fresh only)or perhaps washing the floors with eventual second or third use for watering the inside or outdoor plants...or washing the car. So many uses! I have been using this system for nearly 10 years and all it requires is schlepping a bucket once in a while.

$30 for this is way more than a $2 bucket to collect water I would have drawn and used anyway.

Water thriftiness is a good habit and folks need to be more mindful, so if this turns them into water misers, then it is worth the expenditure.

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5. By Cheryl McGregor on November 12, 2008 10:04 AM

I've had one for about a year now. It does exactly what it states. It saves hot water. Don't think of it as a total water saver or an on and off switch. What it does is let the water run in the shower until the hot water, 95 degrees, gets to the ladybug and then it shuts down to a dribble. This way if you are brushing your teeth etc, you aren't letting expensive hot water go down the drain. It is a great small or short term step.

There are other bigger, better solutions depending on your wallet and your existing plumbing. If you have a circular system, a recirculating pump would be better as it would prevent even cold water from going down the drain. You can also check into point of use hot water heaters. These are not cheap and have requirements of their own.

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6. By Tim in Long Beach on November 12, 2008 6:05 PM

>> What it does is let the water run in the shower until the hot water, 95 degrees, gets to the ladybug and then it shuts down to a dribble.

I had to red into the comments to find out just what this items DOES. Good grief!!

But certainly a smart device for conserving energy; even for apartment dwellers who don't pay for a H/W heater.

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7. By Keith on November 19, 2008 7:13 AM

For those of us living in states that have water conservation needs, this sounds like a horrible device. It is the type of luxury item that encourages waste. Sure, you save hot water, but you wasted all the cold water. For those that could care less about water conservation, you should find out from your local water utility how much energy it takes to deliver water to your house or for those with their own wells, I imagine the calculation would not be too difficult. Simple conservation measures make the most sense and have almost no cost. Try brushing your teeth with the hot water faucet, which will be cold at first as it primes the hot water line that likely serves both your sink and the shower. The bucket idea mentioned in an earlier post is a great next step. Energy is not the only resource we need to conserve...

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8. By Sandy on November 25, 2008 3:20 AM

A great way to save hot water, and a terrible one to waste cold water.

I think water itself is as precious a resource as the energy spent heating it.

Maybe they should have a system in the shower that diverts the initial cold water back into the water loop. I'm surprised there isn't one already.

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9. By Anonymous on November 25, 2008 5:08 PM

"Maybe they should have a system in the shower that diverts the initial cold water back into the water loop. I'm surprised there isn't one already."

They do, as mentioned in my earlier post - it is a recirculating pump. They cost about $200.00 (not including the installation) and the pump is attached the hot water out pipe and there is a sensor at the hot water valve at the sink furthest from the hot water heater. Once the temperature in the line drops below a certain temp the sensor notifies the pump which then has the water in the line go back into the hot water heater and then pumps new hot water out into the line. This way, you always have reasonable warm water when you turn on the tap.

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10. By Erik Blachford on November 25, 2008 9:57 PM

Thanks all - some replies and a question:

Landsnark & Ariel -- If you turn the shower off, then turn it on again, the ladybug senses the hot water and stops the flow. Of course, the easiest way to pause the shower is to turn it off completely. Unless you have some very inefficient plumbing it will be hot again if you turn it on after not much time has gone by.

Sandy & Keith - I agree, finding a use for that cold water is a better idea than letting it go down the drain. I'll put a bucket in the bathroom. But I believe the ladybug still does serve a purpose, especially for all those who currently end up wasting hot water.

Anonymous - if you could point us to a reliable system for water recirculation, we'll take a look and post for all to share.

Erik

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11. By Sandy on November 26, 2008 7:22 AM

Wow, if the system recommended by Anonymous can be used in integration with the Ladybug, it's the perfect solution !

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12. By Cheryl on November 26, 2008 4:21 PM

Recirculating pumps - here is a video at you tube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9kW2Ntmilg

I saw a kit at Costco - had everything you needed to install.
$179.00

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