Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: Learn How

Saving water and energy is a smart and responsible decision for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures offer an excellent solution to cut down on water consumption without compromising performance. Discover the advantages of water-saving fixtures, how they compare to traditional models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction around the 1990s. The popularity was largely driven by increased awareness of water conservation concerns and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, supporting the prompt adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This initial legislation helped establish more efficient plumbing technologies aimed at reining in water consumption while preserving performance.

Take into account how much water low-flow fixtures use compared to their conventional counterparts:

• Faucets: Old faucets run at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets lower to 1.5 gpm or less without sacrificing water pressure.
• Showerheads: The old standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Today’s showerheads cut water usage to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets can use up to a maximum of 7 gallons per flush (gpf). On the other hand, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with some dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

The Technology of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures use different design options to retain performance while using less water. Here’s how they work:

• Aerators: A number of low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, mixing air with water to maintain pressure while still cutting down on the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices control the amount of water that moves through the fixture without a significant drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: Some toilets have two flush options—one for liquid waste using less water, and a fuller flush for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on necessity.

4 Benefits of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Switching to low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets enhances your plumbing’s efficiency in a number of ways:

1. Reducing water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program has estimated that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by replacing the traditional faucets in your home with new, low-flow designs.
2. Slashing water bills: Low-flow fixtures lower your monthly utility bills by using less water. As a matter of fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water whenever you shower, which can really add up in the long run.
3. Also helps with water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores also means you use less hot water, which increases your savings by helping cut water heating costs.
4. A longer plumbing system life span: Cuts to the water flow also reduces wear and tear on your plumbing system, possibly lengthening its life and decreasing the need for repairs.

Suggestions to Save Even More Water

While these water-saving fixtures have a significant impact on their own, you can go further to conserve water every time you use them. Here are a few useful suggestions:

• Take shorter showers: Even once you’ve installed low-flow showerheads, you can still waste water when you stay in too long. Speeding up your shower time by a minute or two preserves water and reduces energy use.
• Don’t waste water as you brush your teeth: Try and only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. If you leave the bathroom or spend the time to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you don’t waste water.
• Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush capability only helps you if everyone in your household knows the right way to use it it. Press the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press the full flush for solid waste. Certain handle-flush toilets feature dual-flush designs. A partial flush uses less water, while keeping the handle depressed releases the standard amount of water to wash away solid waste more effectively.
• Don’t allow anyone to flush trash: Toilets are only designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by only throwing away facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products in the garbage.
• Take care of leaks promptly: Even low-flow fixtures can leak, wasting more water and lowering efficiency. Set aside some time now and then to check for leaks and resolve any you find to sustain your water conservation efforts.

Install Low-Flow Plumbing Installation Today

Interested in an easy way to cut your water usage and increase savings? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install high-performance low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to promote water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to deliver the exceptional products and services you need. When you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.