Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures Save Water and Energy: Learn How

Saving water and energy is a smart and responsible choice for your wallet and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures offer an excellent solution to lower water consumption without losing performance. Find out about the advantages of water-saving fixtures, how they stack up against previous models and effective strategies to conserve even more water in your daily routine.

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Save?

Low-flow plumbing fixtures began picking up traction in the 1990s. The popularity was primarily driven by heightened awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental impact. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 set maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets across the United Provinces, promoting the widespread adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This legislation helped establish more efficient plumbing technologies focused on lowering water consumption while retaining performance.

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

• Faucets: The conventional designs of most 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 previous standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow designs for showerheads cut water usage to 2.0 gpm or less.
• 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 Behind Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

Low-flow fixtures have several ways to retain performance while also cutting back on water. Here’s how they achieve this:

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads utilize aerators, a component that mixes air with water to maintain pressure while still reducing the volume of water required.

• Flow restrictors: These devices restrict the amount of water that moves through the fixture while preventing a significant drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs feature two flush buttons—one for liquid waste using less water, and a larger flush for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on need.

Key Benefits of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

Trying low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets can benefit you in a number of ways:

1. Less water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program estimates that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by replacing the old faucets in your home with new, low-flow designs.
2. Slashing 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 starts to 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 reducing hot water costs.
4. Helping ensure a long plumbing system life span: Cuts to the water flow means there’s a much smaller load on your plumbing system, possibly lengthening its life and decreasing the need for repairs.

Tips to Save Even More Water

While low-flow fixtures have a significant impact by themselves, you can do more to conserve water each time you use them. Here are a few of the most common:

• Take shorter showers: Even once you’ve installed low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water if you take too long. Shortening your shower time by a minute or two saves water and limits energy use.
• Shut off the water whenever you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap running if you’re actively using it. If you leave the bathroom or spend the time to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you aren’t wasting water.
• Use dual-flush toilets appropriately: The dual-flush design only benefits you if everyone in your household understands how to use it it. Start with the half-flush button for liquid waste and only select the full flush for solid waste. A few newer handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush designs. A light flush uses less water, while pressing and holding the handle completes a full flush to clear solid waste more efficiently.
• Don’t flush trash: Toilets are only designed to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing other items always wastes water and raises the risk of a clog forming. Do your plumbing a favor by always throwing away facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and feminine hygiene products in the garbage.
• Fix leaks as soon as you can: Even low-flow fixtures could eventually leak, wasting more water and hamstringing efficiency. Spend a few minutes every now and then checking for leaks and repair any you find to maintain your water conservation efforts.

Install Low-Flow Fixtures Today

Interested in an easy way to reduce your water usage and save money? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install quality low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to support water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can trust us to deliver the quality products and services you deserve. The moment you’re ready to upgrade your plumbing fixtures or would like more water conservation tips, please contact us today.