Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: This Is How

Saving water and energy is a prudent and responsible decision for your wallet and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures offer an ideal solution to cut down on water consumption without sacrificing performance. Find out about the advantages of water-saving fixtures, how they differ from traditional models and effective strategies to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Do Low-Flow Fixtures Save?

These more efficient plumbing fixtures began picking up traction around the 1990s. The popularity was largely driven by growing awareness of water conservation concerns and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, encouraging the prompt adoption of low-flow fixtures. This initial legislation paved the way for more efficient plumbing technologies focused on reducing water consumption while retaining performance.

Consider how much water low-flow fixtures need compared to their traditional counterparts:

• Faucets: Old faucets flow at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets cut this down to 1.5 gpm or less without reducing water pressure.
• Showerheads: The old standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Older toilets typically use up to a maximum of 7 gallons per flush (gpf). In contrast, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with a number of dual-flush models with averages as low as 1.28 gpf.

The Technology Behind Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures take advantage of different design options to retain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they can do so:

• Aerators: Lots of low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, a component that mixes air with water to maintain pressure while still reducing the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices restrict the amount of water that flows through the fixture while preventing a noticeable drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs offer two flush controls—one for liquid waste using less water, and a larger flush for solid waste. This optimizes water use based on need.

Key Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets provides benefits in a number of ways:

1. Reduced water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program calculates that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the old faucets in your home with new, low-flow versions.
2. Smaller water bills: Low-flow fixtures can cut your monthly utility bills by using less water. In fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water whenever you shower, which starts to add up across its service life.
3. Also lowers water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores also means you use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by reducing water heating costs.
4. Longer plumbing system life span: Decreased water flow also reduces wear and tear on your plumbing system, potentially prolonging its life and reducing the need for repairs.

Tips to Save Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures are highly effective on their own, you can do more to conserve water each time you use the plumbing. Here are a few tips:

• Take brief showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water if you shower for too long. Cutting your shower time by a minute or two conserves water and reduces energy use.
• Turn off the water whenever you brush your teeth: Only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. Once you step away from the sink or spend the time to actually brush your teeth, switch off the faucet to conserve water.
• Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush capability only works for you if everyone at home understands how 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 also have dual-flush designs. A quick flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle releases the standard amount of water to remove solid waste more effectively.
• Don’t flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to accommodate toilet paper and human waste. Flushing other items needlessly wastes water and increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your water bills a favor by always disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and similar products in the garbage.
• Try and resolve leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures can leak, wasting more water and reducing efficiency. Spend a few minutes every now and then checking for leaks and repair any you find to limit any downtime to your water conservation efforts.

Request a Free Quote for Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to reduce your water usage and increase savings? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install quality low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to follow through on the promise of quality products and services you deserve. As soon as you’re ready to upgrade your plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.