Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: Here’s How

Saving water and energy is a wise and responsible move for your wallet and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an effective solution to lower water consumption without losing performance. Find out about the advantages of water-saving fixtures, how they compare to traditional models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your day-to-day life.

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Save?

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction around the 1990s. The shift was largely driven by heightened awareness of water conservation concerns and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets throughout the United States, promoting the prompt adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This initial legislation set the stage for more efficient fixture designs aimed at reducing water consumption while retaining performance.

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

• Faucets: Old faucets run 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 designs for showerheads lower water consumption to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Older 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 many dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

The Designs Behind Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures take advantage of several ways to maintain performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so:

• Aerators: A number of low-flow faucets and showerheads include aerators, a component that mixes air with water to retain pressure while still lowering the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices limit the amount of water that flows through the fixture without a noticeable drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: Some toilets feature 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.

Key Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

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

1. Reduced water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program has said that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the old faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
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 every time you shower, which starts to add up over time.
3. Lower water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores also means you use less hot water, which further 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, hopefully extending its life and decreasing the need for repairs.

Tips on How You Can Save Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures are highly effective on their own, you can take additional steps to conserve water whenever you use them. Here are some useful suggestions:

• Take quicker showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water if you take too long. Speeding up your shower time by a minute or two preserves water and limits energy use.
• Turn off the water as you brush your teeth: Try and only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. Once you leave the bathroom or take a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, shut off the faucet so you don’t waste water.
• Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush capability only benefits you if everyone using that bathroom knows how to use it. Use the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press the full flush for solid waste. A few newer handle-flush toilets now have dual-flush capabilities. A light flush uses less water, while holding down the handle completes a full flush to clear solid waste more thoroughly.
• Don’t allow anyone to flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of clogs. Do your local plumber a favor by only disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and similar products in the trash.
• Fix leaks promptly: Even low-flow fixtures may leak, wasting water and hamstringing efficiency. Set aside some time now and then to check for leaks and repair any you find to limit any downtime to your water conservation efforts.

Upgrade to Low-Flow Plumbing Installation Today

Interested in an easy way to lower 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 promote water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to deliver the exceptional products and services you deserve. When you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or want more water conservation tips, please contact us today.