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

Saving water and energy is a smart and responsible decision for your wallet and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures offer an effective solution to cut down on water consumption without losing performance. Find out about the advantages of low-flow fixtures, how they stack up against previous models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures began picking up traction around the 1990s. The movement was particularly driven by growing 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 widespread adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This legislation helped establish more efficient faucets and showerheads aimed at reducing water consumption while preserving performance.

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

• Faucets: The conventional designs of most faucets flow at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets cut this down to 1.5 gpm or less without weakening the water pressure.
• Showerheads: The old standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads lower water consumption to 2.0 gpm or less.
• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets may use up to 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 Designs Behind Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures use different design options to preserve performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they work:

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads utilize aerators, mixing air with water to preserve the water pressure while still reducing the volume of water required.

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

• 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 optimizes water use based on need.

Key Benefits of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

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

1. Decreased water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program estimates that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by upgrading the existing faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
2. Smaller 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 can really add up over time.
3. Also lowers water heating costs: Using less water to shower, cook and clean means you also use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by helping cut water heating costs.
4. Longer plumbing system life span: Less water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, potentially extending its life and decreasing the need for repairs.

Tips 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 some of the most common:

• Take fast showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still use more water if you shower for 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: Do your best to only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. Once you leave the bathroom or spend the time 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 works for you if everyone using that bathroom understands how to use it it. Start with the half-flush button for liquid waste and only select the full flush for solid waste. Certain handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush designs. A partial flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle completes a full flush to remove solid waste more thoroughly.
• Don’t allow anyone to flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to accommodate toilet paper and human waste. Flushing any other materials needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of clogs. Do your water bills a favor by always tossing facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products in the trash.
• Take care of leaks promptly: 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 limit any downtime to your water conservation efforts.

Upgrade to Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to cut your water usage and increase savings? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install efficient low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to encourage water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to follow through on the promise of superior products and services you deserve. If 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.