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

Saving water and energy is a wise and responsible move for your budget and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures provide an ideal solution to cut down on water consumption without compromising performance. Discover the perks of water-saving fixtures, how they stack up against traditional models and practical tips to conserve even more water in your everyday habits.

How Much Water Can Low-Flow Fixtures Save?

Low-flow plumbing fixtures began picking up traction around the 1990s. The shift was particularly driven by heightened awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets in the United States, promoting the widespread adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This early framework set the stage for more efficient faucets and showerheads focused on lowering water consumption while retaining performance.

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

• Faucets: Old faucets run at about 2.2 gallons per minute (gpm), whereas low-flow faucets lower to 1.5 gpm or less without sacrificing 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: Older toilets typically use up to 7 gallons per flush (gpf). On the other hand, the current federal standard maximum is 1.6 gpf, with some dual-flush models needing as few as 1.28 gpf.

The Technology for Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures take advantage of several design options to maintain performance while using less water. Here’s how they can do so:

• Aerators: A number of low-flow faucets and showerheads utilize aerators, mixing air with water to retain pressure while still lowering the volume of water needed.

• Flow restrictors: These devices control the amount of water that passes through the fixture without a noticeable drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: Some toilets offer two flush options—one for liquid waste using less water, and a fuller flush for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on necessity.

Key Benefits of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Trying low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets enhances your plumbing’s efficiency in numerous ways:

1. Decreased 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 versions.
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 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 further increases your savings by reducing water heating costs.
4. Longer plumbing system life span: Reduced water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, hopefully lengthening its life and reducing the need for repairs.

Tips for Saving Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures have a significant impact by themselves, you can take additional steps to conserve water each time you use them. Here are a handful of tips:

• Take quicker showers: Even with low-flow showerheads, you still use more water when you take too long. Shortening 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. Once you step away from the sink or spend the time to actually brush your teeth, shut off the faucet so you don’t waste water.
• Use dual-flush toilets efficiently: The dual-flush design only helps you if everyone at home knows the right way to use it it. Press the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press 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 completes a full flush to clear solid waste more efficiently.
• Never flush trash: Toilets are exclusively designed to remove toilet paper and human waste. Flushing anything else needlessly wastes water and sharply increases the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by always throwing away 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 reducing 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 Plumbing Fixtures Today

Ready to cut your water usage and increase savings? 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 depend on us to follow through on the promise of quality products and services you deserve. The moment you’re ready to install low-flow plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.