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

Saving water and energy is a prudent and responsible move for your wallet and the environment. Low-flow plumbing fixtures offer an ideal solution to lower water consumption without sacrificing performance. Learn about the advantages of water-saving fixtures, how they stack up against traditional models and effective strategies to conserve even more water in your day-to-day life.

How Much Water Will Low-Flow Fixtures Use?

Low-flow plumbing fixtures initially gained widespread traction around the 1990s. The popularity was largely driven by growing awareness of water conservation issues and our environmental footprint. The Energy Policy Act of 1992 mandated maximum flow rates for faucets, showerheads and toilets in the United States, supporting the public adoption of a new generation of low-flow plumbing fixtures. This early framework set the stage for more efficient faucets and showerheads aimed at reducing water consumption while retaining performance.

Take into account how much water low-flow fixtures need 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 weakening the water pressure.
• Showerheads: The old standard for showerheads was 2.5 gpm. Low-flow showerheads reduce water use to 2.0 gpm or less.
• Toilets: Old toilets can 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 using as little as 1.28 gpf.

The Designs of Low-Flow Plumbing Fixtures

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

• Aerators: Many low-flow faucets and showerheads feature aerators, mixing air with water to maintain pressure while still lowering the volume of water needed.

• Flow restrictors: Faucets with these devices control the amount of water that passes through the fixture without a significant drop in pressure.

• Dual-flush technology: More low-flow designs offer two flush controls—one for liquid waste using less water, and one that’s larger for solid waste. This fine-tunes water use based on necessity.

Four Advantages of Eco-Friendly Plumbing Fixtures

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

1. Decreased water waste: The EPA’s Water Sense program has estimated that you can save 700 gallons of water per year by upgrading the old faucets in your home with new, low-flow fixtures.
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 adds up over time.
3. Lower water heating costs: Using less water for daily chores means you also use less hot water, which means another boost to your savings by reducing hot water costs.
4. Longer plumbing system life span: Cuts to the water flow means less strain on your plumbing system, potentially extending its life and decreasing the need for repairs.

Tips to Save Even More Water

While these water-saving fixtures have a significant impact by themselves, you can do more to conserve water whenever you use them. Here are a few tips:

• Take fast showers: Even if you own low-flow showerheads, you still waste a lot of water when you stay in too long. Cutting your shower time by a minute or two conserves water and limits energy use.
• Don’t waste water whenever you brush your teeth: Do your best to only leave the tap on if you’re actively using it. If you step away from the sink or take a couple of minutes to actually brush your teeth, turn off the faucet so you don’t waste water.
• Use dual-flush toilets properly: The dual-flush capability only works for you if everyone at home understands how to use it it. Use the half-flush button for liquid waste and only press the full flush for solid waste. A few newer handle-flush toilets also have dual-flush capabilities. A partial flush uses less water, while keeping the handle depressed empties the entire tank to clear solid waste more efficiently.
• Never flush trash: Toilets are solely designed to handle toilet paper and human waste. Flushing other items needlessly wastes water and increases the risk of clogs. Do your local plumber a favor by only throwing away facial tissues, paper towels, cotton balls and all other non-flushable products in the garbage.
• Try and resolve 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 address any you find to sustain 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 money? Service Experts Heating, Air Conditioning & Plumbing is here to help! We install quality low-flow faucets, showerheads and toilets to encourage water and energy conservation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee, you can rely on us to follow through on the promise of superior products and services you need. If you’re ready to ask about a free quote for installing low-flow plumbing fixtures or just need a few more water conservation tips, please contact us today.