Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: Here’s How

Saving water and energy is a smart and environmentally conscious choice for your finances and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures present an excellent solution to cut down on water consumption without sacrificing performance. Find out about the perks of low-flow fixtures, how they compare to older models and useful suggestions to conserve even more water in your day-to-day life.

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

These more efficient plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction around the 1990s. The shift was largely driven by increased awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 required maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United States, promoting the prompt adoption of low-flow fixtures. This legislation paved the way for more efficient faucets and showerheads designed for reining in water consumption while maintaining the same level performance.

Take into account how much water low-flow fixtures save compared to their older 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 reducing water pressure.
• Showerheads: The old standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads lower water consumption to 2.0 gpm or lower.
• Toilets: Old toilets can use as many as 7 gallons per flush (gpf). By comparison, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with a number of dual-flush models using as little as 1.28 gpf.

The Technology Behind Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures have a few different design options to preserve performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they do it:

• Aerators: Lots of low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, a component that mixes air with water to retain pressure while still reducing the volume of water needed.

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

• Dual-flush technology: Many low-flow toilets have two flush options—one for liquid waste using less water, and a fuller flush for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on need.

Four Advantages of Water-Efficient Plumbing Fixtures

Trying low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets provides benefits in several ways:

1. Decreased water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program estimates that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by swapping the existing faucets in your home with new, low-flow designs.
2. Slashing water bills: Low-flow fixtures can cut your monthly utility bills by using less water. In fact, a WaterSense-labeled showerhead can save 4 gallons of water each time you shower, which can really add up over time.
3. Lower water heating costs: Using less water to shower, cook and clean also means you use less hot water, which increases your savings by helping cut hot water costs.
4. Extended plumbing system life span: Less water flow means there’s a much smaller load on your plumbing system, hopefully lengthening its life and decreasing 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 few tips:

• Take brief showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you can still waste water if you shower for too long. Speeding up your shower time by a minute or two conserves water and lowers energy use.
• Shut off the water as you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. If you step away from the sink or take the time to actually brush your teeth, shut off the faucet to conserve water.
• Use dual-flush toilets properly: The dual-flush feature only helps you if everyone at home knows the right way to use it it. Use the half-flush button for liquid waste and only select the full flush for solid waste. Some handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush functionality. A partial flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle completes a full flush to remove solid waste more efficiently.
• Don’t flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing anything else needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of clogs. Do your local plumber a favor by always disposing of facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products in the trash.
• Fix leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures may leak, wasting more water and lowering efficiency. Set aside some time now and then to check for leaks and resolve any you find to maintain your water conservation efforts.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to lower your water usage and save money? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing 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 follow through on the promise of exceptional 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.