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

Saving water and energy is a prudent and environmentally conscious move for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an excellent solution to reduce water consumption without compromising performance. Find out about the benefits of water-saving fixtures, how they differ from older models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Do Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

These more efficient plumbing fixtures first started gaining traction around the 1990s. The shift was primarily driven by increased awareness of water conservation needs and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 established maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets throughout the United States, supporting the public adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This early framework paved the way for more efficient plumbing technologies aimed at reducing water consumption while retaining performance.

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

• Faucets: Older faucets run at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets lower to 1.5 gpm or less without weakening the water pressure.
• Showerheads: The industry standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow designs for showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Older toilets can use up to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). By comparison, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with some dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

The Designs of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures have several design options to maintain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they work:

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, which mix air with water to preserve the water pressure while still lowering the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: These devices restrict the amount of water that passes through the fixture while preventing a significant drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: Many low-flow toilets 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 need.

Key Benefits of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Trying 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 estimated that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by upgrading the existing faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
2. Cuts to monthly water bills: Low-flow fixtures help decrease your monthly utility bills by using less water. In fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water whenever you shower, which adds up in the long run.
3. Also helps with water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores means you also use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by helping cut hot water costs.
4. Helping ensure a long plumbing system life span: Reduced water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, potentially lengthening its life and lowering 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 some of the most common:

• Take quicker showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water when you shower for too long. Shortening your shower time by a minute or two saves water and reduces energy use.
• Shut off the water whenever you brush your teeth: 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, switch off the faucet so you aren’t wasting water.
• Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush feature only helps you if everyone in your household knows how to use it. Press the half-flush button for liquid waste and only use the full flush for solid waste. Some handle-flush toilets now have dual-flush capabilities. A light flush uses less water, while keeping the handle depressed releases the standard amount of water to wash away solid waste more thoroughly.
• Never flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to accommodate toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials always wastes water and increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by only disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products in the garbage.
• Take care of leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures could eventually leak, wasting water and lowering efficiency. Make an effort to regularly check for leaks and resolve any you find to limit any downtime to your water conservation efforts.

Install Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Today

Are you ready to reduce your water usage and save more money at the same time? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install efficient low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can depend on us to follow through on the promise of superior products and services you need. When you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or just need a few more water conservation tips, please contact us today.