Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: This Is How

Saving water and energy is a prudent and eco-friendly choice for your budget and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an effective solution to lower water consumption without sacrificing performance. Find out about the benefits of water-efficient fixtures, how they stack up against traditional models and effective strategies to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

These more efficient plumbing fixtures began picking up traction around the 1990s. The popularity was primarily driven by heightened awareness of water conservation needs and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets in the United States, supporting the prompt adoption of low-flow fixtures. This initial legislation paved the way for more efficient fixture designs designed for reducing water consumption while preserving performance.

Take into account how much water low-flow fixtures need compared to their traditional 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 reducing water pressure.
• Showerheads: The previous standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Today’s showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or less.
• Toilets: Old 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 some dual-flush models with averages as low as 1.28 gpf.

The Technology for Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures have several design options to preserve performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so:

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

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

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

Key Benefits of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Switching to low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets provides benefits in numerous ways:

1. Reducing water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program has said that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by upgrading the traditional faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
2. Slashing water bills: Low-flow fixtures can cut your monthly utility bills by using less water. Indeed, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water whenever you shower, which adds up across its service life.
3. Also lowers water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores means you also use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by lowering hot water costs.
4. Longer plumbing system life span: Less water flow also reduces wear and tear on your plumbing system, possibly extending its life and lowering the need for repairs.

Suggestions for Saving Even More Water

While these water-saving fixtures have a significant impact by themselves, you can go further to conserve water every time you use them. Here are a handful of tips:

• Take brief showers: Even once you’ve installed 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 saves water and limits energy use.
• Don’t waste water as you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. If you leave the bathroom or spend a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, switch off the faucet so you aren’t wasting water.
• Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush design only helps you if everyone at home understands how to use it it. Stick to the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press the full flush for solid waste. A few newer handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush capabilities. A partial flush uses less water, while keeping the handle depressed releases the standard amount of water to clear solid waste more thoroughly.
• Never flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials needlessly wastes water and increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by only throwing away facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and all other non-flushable products in the trash can.
• Take care of leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures may leak, wasting more water and hamstringing efficiency. Set aside some time now and then to check for leaks and fix any you find to maintain your water conservation efforts.

Upgrade to Low-Flow Plumbing Installation Today

Are you ready to cut 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 follow through on the promise of superior products and services you need. The moment you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.