Is Steam Worth the Energy?

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Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but inside my steam shower, it’s so delightful. I swath myself in a cotton towel, sit on the stone bench and breathe in the warm, moist clouds puffed out by a Mr. Steam(R) vent near my feet. It’s the next best thing to being at a spa – and has relieved sinus tension and muscle aches since I installed it several years ago when I was more lean on my commitment to going green.

Installing steam was in fact the top priority in my master bath remodel, to the extent that we payed thousands of dollars to boost our power from the street. I had sought out steam rooms at various day spas in San Francisco to alleviate chronic sinus infections during the preschool years when my girls were bringing home mega germs along with their finger paintings. The respiratory specialist I saw prescribed steam, along with more hydration, the removal of carpet in the bedroom and investing in air purifiers. I’ve avoided sinus attacks since and continue to take steam showers when I find the time to take care of me.

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In terms of energy use, I’ve found the addition has not increased our power bill greatly. We use it moderately and have simultaneously reduced our use of heat. I also keep the shower off until I’m done steaming, using a low-flow shower head to keep the output down to 2.5 gallons per minute. The amazing Kohler Tea for Two tub I also installed in my home spa rarely gets used. According to the California Energy Commission, filling up a tub requires an average of 30 to 50 gallons of water. In my tub, the water can turn cold fairly quickly even inside a porcelain surface. The few minutes of pleasure don’t really outweigh the water down the drain.

If you’re considering adding a steam to your shower, here are some things to consider:

Manufacturers are improving their residential products to make them more energy efficient. According to Mr. Steam (R), its generators use five gallons of water for a 30 minute steaming session which is boasts is a “75 gallon reduction in water compared to a whirlpool bath.” The company also produces corrosion resistant, 100% recyclable stainless steel in its components (just in case you need to recycle those parts).

Another option is the Coral Sea Spa modular walk-in units ($2,600 to $7500) that employ solar thermal water heating upgrades (below). Everything is included in these steam showers which are pre-plumbed, wired and sealed. Most of the models are big enough for two. In the long run, you’ll spend less than on building a large shower and adding steam, but the look is quite different, akin to an inground pool versus a giant Doughboy.

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Meantime, competitors like Wasauna also produce modular units like the Monza, but instead of promoting the green features, this one offers 7 chromotherapy lighting schemes and music from a digital surround system.

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Weighing the choices out there, I would still go with the Mr. Steam(R) (sans the surround sound) and build a sensible shower with a low-flow shower head. At the end of the day, you will gain all of the health and skin benefits of steam without evaporating more money and energy than any of us can afford.

Luanne Bradley

Luanne Sanders Bradley is the West coast Editor at EcoSalon and currently resides in San Francisco, California.