> Tendency here is to leave shower/bath water to cool down thus
> > releasing its warmth to the bathroom. We always have the exhaust fan
> > running while bathing of course to get rid of moisture.
>
> > And while we are in the bathroom (in centre of house, no windows) six
> > 40 watts bulbs (total 240 watts) above the vanity mirror are on
> > keeping the temperature comfortable so that relative humidity is not a
> > problem.The mirror. for example, fogs over for five to six minutes and
> > then clears by itself. There are no mould/mildew problems.
>
> > We have a fiberglass-shower tub unit. Hot water is heated electrically
> > in basement below.
> > A 500 watt baseboard bathroom electric heater rarely cuts in, the
> > lights and other warmth keeping up the bathroom temperature.
>
> > At the end of a typical shower there is warm water in the tub about 4
> > inches deep, 15 to 18 inches wide and about 48 inches long. These are
> > probably a bit overestimated; but to continue ............. that's 0.3
> > x 1.5 x 4 cu feet of water = 1.8 lets say 2 cubic feet of water? >
> > Water weighs 'about' 60 pounds per cu foot. So 60 x 2 = approx. 120
> > pounds of soapy water at a temperature of around the human body; say
> > 90 degrees F?
> > .
> > Leaving it to cool down for an hour or two, to say a room temperature
> > of 70 degrees F releases 120 pounds times 20 degrees = 2400 BTUs of > > warmth.
>
> > One kilowatt/hr of electricity will produce 3300 BTUs of heat. >
> > So 2400 BTU's of warmth requires 2400/3300 = 0.73 (approx three
> > quarters of a kilowatt/hr).
>
> > Our electrcity costs, on average, ten (10) cents per k.watt/hr. So; by
> > doing this am I saving some 7 to 8 cents per shower?
>
> > With an average of 1.5 persons in house one shower each per day = 365
> > x 1.5 x 0.08 = potential saving of $44 per year? Enough, maybe, for a
> > magazine subscription?
>
> > Welcome comments, criticism, or advice whether I have dropped a
> > decimal point (or other grievous error) in calcs.
>
> > And of course the above is probably a 'high' average. Many showers are
> > quicker than that (less used water). While, for example washing one's
> > hair couple of times a week, while showering takes an extra minute or > > so.
>
> Unless you are closing the drain, your drain is plugged. No way should 4
> inches of water build up from a properly-installed and functioning
> shower. It should run out about as fast as it comes out of shower-head. >
> --
> aem sends...- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -
Thanks for the comments. Yes: The drain plug is deliberately left in until water cools down. The 'used' water remains in the tub for an hour or two. Then next time someone is in bathroom they whip out the bath-plug while washing their hands in the sink anyway, after say, using the toilet. Scum build up is not a big problem here; but could be depending on how 'hard' (dissolved minerals) the water is. Also certain shampoos and even soaps, contain colouring and on occasion they do cause a rim-line that is slightly blue, or green, orange etc. depending on the colouring of the product used. Personally I just use a simple white soap for everything. So a white scum line I guess! Also agree the extra work of cleaning down the bath tub (although it has to be done every so often in any case) may not be worthwhile the slight saving per shower. Thanks for all posters rational and thoughtful suggestions about humidity. We find the dry house comfortable in this damp above and below freezing climate, but the suggestion not to run the fan but leave door ajar, may be a good one. This 1970s wood frame house seems to run about 35% humidity at a temperature of around 68-70 F. We WILL run the fan for what one TV ad politely refers to as "Embarrassing personal odours"! Well; gee when gotta go, you gotta go! Right? Thank you. terry