Ways to Save Water and Energy with Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures
Saving water and energy is a prudent and eco-friendly move for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an ideal solution to cut down on water consumption without sacrificing performance. Learn about the benefits of water-saving fixtures, how they stack up against older models and useful suggestions to conserve even more water in your daily routine.
Key Advantages to Installing Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures
Reduced water waste
The EPA’s WaterSense program has said that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the traditional faucets in your home with new, low-flow designs.
Lowering your monthly 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 adds up in the long run.
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 hot water costs.
Longer plumbing system life span
Decreased water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, potentially lengthening its life and decreasing the need for repairs.
As you can see, switching to low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets can benefit you in numerous ways:
Key Components of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures
Low-flow fixtures have different design options to retain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they work:
- Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs have two flush options—one for liquid waste using less water, and a fuller flush for solid waste. This further controls water use based on need.
- Flow restrictors: These devices control the amount of water that moves through the fixture without a significant drop in pressure.
- Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, which mix air with water to maintain pressure while still cutting down on the volume of water required.
How Much Water Do Low-Flow Fixtures Save?
Low-flow plumbing fixtures first started gaining traction around the 1990s. The shift was primarily driven by heightened awareness of water conservation needs and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets in the United States, promoting the prompt adoption of low-flow fixtures. This legislation helped establish more efficient plumbing technologies designed for lowering water consumption while retaining performance.
Think about 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 reduce to 1.5 gpm or less without weakening the water pressure.
- Showerheads: The industry standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or lower.
- Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets may use up to a maximum of 7 gallons per flush (gpf). By comparison, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with many dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.
Five Suggestions to Save Even More Water
While these water-saving fixtures are highly effective by themselves, you can go further to conserve water every time you use the plumbing. Here are a handful of useful suggestions:
- Don’t waste water when you brush your teeth: Try and 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 to conserve water.
- Never flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials always wastes water and raises 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 garbage.
- Take brief showers: Even if you own low-flow showerheads, you can still waste water if you shower for too long. Cutting your shower time by a minute or two preserves water and reduces energy use.
- Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush feature only helps you if everyone in your household 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 feature dual-flush functionality. A partial flush uses less water, while holding down the handle empties the entire tank to clear solid waste more efficiently.
- Take care of leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures may leak, wasting water and lowering efficiency. Set aside some time now and then to check for leaks and fix any you find to maintain your water conservation efforts.
Ask About Your Free Quote for New Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Today
Ready to lower your water usage and increase savings? Xtra Mile is here to help! We install high-performance low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to deliver the superior products and services you deserve. When you’re ready to ask about a free quote for installing low-flow plumbing fixtures or want more water conservation tips, please contact us today.
