Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: This Is How

Saving water and energy is a prudent and responsible decision for your budget and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures present an effective solution to lower water consumption without losing performance. Find out about the perks of water-saving fixtures, how they stack up against traditional models and effective strategies to conserve even more water in your daily routine.

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Save?

Installing low-flow plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction in the 1990s. The popularity was largely driven by increased awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets throughout the United States, promoting the public adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This legislation set the stage for more efficient plumbing technologies aimed at reducing water consumption while preserving performance.

Think about how much water low-flow fixtures use compared to their traditional counterparts:

• Faucets: Older faucets flow 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 previous standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Today’s showerheads cut water usage to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Older, inefficient toilets can 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 using as little as 1.28 gpf.

The Designs of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures have a few different ways to maintain performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so:

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

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices limit 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 one that’s larger for solid waste. This optimizes water use based on need.

4 Benefits of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Installing low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets can benefit you in a number of 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 existing 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. In fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water every time you shower, which adds up over time.
3. Lower water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores results in you using less hot water, which increases your savings by helping cut water heating costs.
4. Helping ensure a long plumbing system life span: Cuts to the water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, hopefully prolonging its life and reducing the need for repairs.

Tips to Save Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures make a big difference by themselves, you can go further to conserve water every time you use the plumbing. Here are some of the most common:

• Take fast showers: Even if you own low-flow showerheads, you can still waste water when you shower for too long. Cutting your shower time by a minute or two conserves water and cuts energy use.
• Turn off the water when you brush your teeth: Only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. As soon as you leave the bathroom or spend a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you aren’t wasting water.
• Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush capability only benefits you if everyone using that bathroom knows the right way to use it it. Use the half-flush button for liquid waste and only use the full flush for solid waste. A few newer handle-flush toilets now have dual-flush functionality. A partial flush uses less water, while holding down the handle completes a full flush to wash away solid waste more effectively.
• Never flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing anything else needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of clogs. Do your water bills a favor by always disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and all other non-flushable products in the trash can.
• Try and resolve leaks right away: Even low-flow fixtures could eventually leak, wasting more water and lowering 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.

Request a Free Quote for Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to cut your water usage and save more money at the same time? 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 trust us to deliver the exceptional products and services you need. If you’re ready to ask about a free quote for installing low-flow plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.